"Thor: The Dark World" will steal "The Best Man Holiday's" thunder at the box office this weekend.
After debuting with a healthy $85.7 million, the 3-D superhero sequel is expected to collect at least an additional $40 million during its second weekend in theaters, according to those who have seen pre-release audience surveys. Providing the only other competition is the only new wide release "The Best Man Holiday," a modestly budgeted sequel aimed at African Americans poised to debut with a robust $23 million. (Universal Pictures, which is distributing the film, is predicting an opening of around $17 million.)
The original "Thor" saw its ticket sales tumble 47% in its second week in theaters in 2011. Its predecessor will likely see a similar drop this weekend, its last before facing off against "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." The young adult franchise will dominate ticket sales when it opens late next week, potentially collecting more than $150 million between Thursday evening and Sunday.
PHOTOS: 75 images from 'Thor: The Dark World'
"The Best Man Holiday," about a group of old friends who reunite over Christmas, has earned largely positive reviews. The film is a sequel to 1999's "The Best Man," which grossed $34 million. Both films were directed by Malcom D. Lee and feature many of the same actors, including Taye Diggs, Terrence Howard and Nia Long. The sequel, financed for a $17 million by Universal, is generating the most interest among older females.
