& # 39; The Grinch & # 39; is about to open an average box office

Illumination Entertainment and the new version of the clbadic Dr. Seuss from Universal are expected to bring in up to $ 65 million this weekend.

Grinch, the beloved thief of Dr. Seuss, is perhaps as cuddly as a cactus, but all indications are that the family audience is ready to welcome the character back to the box office.

The new version of the clbadic Seuss from Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures is expected to be mediocre at the multiplex this weekend, according to people who have read preview audience surveys. The computer-animated film, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as a green growling voice, is expected to bring between $ 52 million and $ 65 million in the United States and Canada from Friday to Sunday.

That would be enough to easily dislodge "Bohemian Rhapsody" from 20th Century Fox as North America's best movie, after Freddie Mercury's biopic has generated $ 51 million better than expected after its launch on weekends latest.

While "The Grinch" dominates the multiplex before the end-of-year holidays by attracting kids, two dark R-rated bids will search for the biggest moviegoers: "The Girl in the Spider Web" of Sony Pictures and the zombie of Paramount Pictures. war movie "Overlord". But it remains to be seen if the public is willing to touch one or the other with a stick of 39 feet and a half.

Here's what to look for.

CHARMING LIKE A WATER

A strong opening for "The Grinch" would mark the latest success of Chris Meledandri's Illumination, the studio behind such films as "Minions", "Despicable Me" and "The Secret Life of Pets". As in other Illumination films, "The Grinch" costs around $ 75 million, which means the film should have no trouble generating profits. Some badysts predict that the film will outperform the estimates and reach $ 70 million during its first weekend, due to the lack of recent children's movies and the enduring appeal of history.

"The market is ripe for a major animated film that will appeal to all ages, something we have not seen since the middle of summer," said badyst Shawn Robbins. BoxOffice.com. "The vacation schedule, iconic brand and attractiveness of Cumberbatch for parents are also great benefits."

Seuss' pungent creature at the heart of two sizes that are too small is a film and television camera since the special TV show of 1966 featuring Boris Karloff's voice. The live-action version of 2000, starring Jim Carrey and directed by Ron Howard, brought home $ 260 million to the country, despite poor critics.