‘Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters’ Opens Soft At Midnight

Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters is hoping to start a franchise. After making $500K at midnight the movie’s long term prospects aren’t looking so hot.

The film, co-financed by MGM and Paramount, opened in 2,000 theaters Thursday at midnight and expanded to 3,372 theaters today. Another recent high profile January release, Gangster Squad, pulled in more money at midnight and opened to a mediocre $17 million.

Gangster Squad had a lot more star power than Hansel And Gretel, whose most recognizable star is Jeremy Renner.

Deadline reports that despite everything working against it, industry sources still believes Hansel And Gretel will open to around $25 million. This would likely make it the number one film over the weekend.

Paramount and MGM claim the movie only cost $50 million to produce, so opening at half its budget would be considered a success. Especially for an R-rated action film.

Another saving grace for Hansel And Gretel could be the international box office. According to LA Biz, it opened to a very healthy $8.6 million in Russia, and is opening in another 19 foreign markets this weekend.

So there is reason for Paramount and MGM to be optimistic about Hansel And Gretel, but the soft midnight showing is not one of them. Neither is the fate of Gangster Squad, another R-rated film with a similar audience demographic.

Competition won’t be a problem for the Grimm-themed movie though. Both Parker and Movie 43, the weekends other wide releases, are expected to open around $10 each.

Revenue could also be boosted by fanboys trying to get an early look at G.I. Joe: Retaliation, which has a four minute preview playing in front of Hansel And Gretel.

Here is the trailer for Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters:

Are you going to see Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters this weekend?