Limited and Virtual Releases: The Box Office Won’t Die this Weekend
July 30, 2020
No less than 15 films are debuting in theaters around the country this weekend, which makes this the biggest weekend for new releases since March 13. Eight of the new films are earning decent pre-release buzz, and all but one of those are earning good reviews. I think She Dies Tomorrow has the best shot at earning some measure of box office success, but as a Canadian, it is my patriotic duty to support Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind.
Boys State
The Fight
Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind
The Informer
This film may or may not be coming out this week. I’ve lost track of the number of release dates this film has had. Furthermore, its reviews are rather weak, so even if it does get a release, it won’t do any significant business at the box office.
Rebuilding Paradise
Save Yourselves!
She Dies Tomorrow
Summerland
23 Walks
Highlights
This is the first of four documentaries on this week’s list. This one is about an experimental representative government set up by 1,000 17-year old boys. The reviews are fantastic, but there’s just too much competition for a very small market for this film to thrive. Even if we weren’t dealing with COVID-19, which has all but eliminated documentaries from theaters, there would still be too much direct competition.
A documentary about the ACLU and its fight to preserve the rights and freedoms of the American people. Of the four documentaries on this week’s list, this is the one that has the best shot at box office success. Its reviews are the best and it has the most relevant topic, so it could find an audience. It’s also getting an online release this weekend.
A documentary about Canadian singer / songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. I don’t think this film will find an audience in theaters for a number of reasons, despite its strong reviews. Firstly, I don’t know if enough Americans know who Gordon Lightfoot is. Secondly, documentaries have been practically shut out at the box office during the pandemic. Thirdly, there’s direct competition with other, bigger documentaries coming out this week.
Honorably discharged Special Ops soldier Pete Koslow’s world is turned upside-down when he is jailed after a fight to protect his wife. He’s given a chance for early release by becoming an informant for the FBI and using his covert skills in an operation to take down The General, the most powerful crime boss in New York. But when the FBI sting meant to finally earn Koslow his freedom results in the death of an undercover NYPD cop, Koslow finds himself caught in the crossfire between the mob and the FBI.
A documentary by Ron Howard about the 2018 wildfires in the Sierra Nevada foothills and the efforts to rebuild the town of Paradise. The reviews are great, but, like the other documentaries, it faces an uphill battle at the box office.
A couple, Su and Jack, decide to go on a retreat where they will be completely cut off from the outside world. At the same time, the planet comes under attack and they have no idea. The reviews are good, and its subject matter is timely, but comedies are struggling at the moment.
A comedy / thriller about a young woman, Amy, who is convinced she is going to die tomorrow. At first her friends are worried about her mental state, then they realize her feelings of impending doom are contagious. The reviews are good enough that it could thrive in limited release.
A drama set during World War II starring Gemma Arterton, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, among others. The reviews are good, but not great, with critics saying it is too light-hearted for deep emotional impact. On the other hand, even some of the negative reviews say being light-hearted isn’t a bad thing given the pandemic. This film could have become a sleeper hit this summer. As it is, it will have to wait for the home market to find an audience.
Other Releases
The Cuban (Theatrical and Virtual Release)
Cut Throat City
Killer Raccoons 2: Dark Christmas in the Dark
A Most Beautiful Thing
Tijuana Jackson: Purpose Over Prison
Words on Bathroom Walls
Filed under: Limited Releases, The Informer, Words on Bathroom Walls, Cut Throat City, Summerland, Save Yourselves!, Boys State, The Fight, Rebuilding Paradise, Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind, She Dies Tomorrow, Tijuana Jackson: Purpose Over Prison, Killer Raccoons 2: Dark Christmas in the Dark, 23 Walks, The Cuban, A Most Beautiful Thing, Gemma Arterton, Ron Howard, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Kate Lyn Sheil, John Reynolds, Sunita Mani, Gordon Lightfoot