# Prediction: Guardians of the Galaxy makes $120 Million+ its opening weekend **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 28, 2014, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242 "2014-07-28T14:36:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/61 "2014-08-01T02:28:37Z")
I saw it yesterday. It was… ok. I’m not sure if it was better than Avengers, although it was certainly better than Thor or most of the standalone movies. I thought it was a bit stilted at times, the humor was a bit forced, and certainly the romance was completely not believable… But the show was worth it for Rocket. ---
**Author:** ![Bakhesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Bakhesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bakhesh)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/62 "2014-08-01T07:23:46Z")
> [@Tabby\_Cat](#): > > I thought it was a bit stilted at times, the humor was a bit forced, and certainly the romance was completely not believable… But the show was worth it for Rocket. Romance? ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/63 "2014-08-01T09:52:58Z")
It was good and pretty fun, but ultimately not as fun as the trailer made it looked. I wasn’t invested in the villians and thought the final third felt super generic, like any number of other superhero / Marvel films I’ve seen before. ---
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/64 "2014-08-01T10:17:21Z")
> [@Bakhesh](#): > > Romance? Are we doing spoilers in this thread? Anyway, there is only pretty much one pairing that makes sense, and in the context of the movie, that pairing did not make sense. I did not have to see goo goo Gamora, and in the timeframe of the movie, completely unbelievable. It took me out of the movie a bit. > [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > It was good and pretty fun, but ultimately not as fun as the trailer made it looked. > > I wasn’t invested in the villians and thought the final third felt super generic, like any number of other superhero / Marvel films I’ve seen before. Same here. Ronan was a 2D character compared to Loki in the second Thor, or any of the Iron Man villians. ---
**Author:** ![Bakhesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Bakhesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bakhesh)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/65 "2014-08-01T10:26:01Z")
> [@Tabby\_Cat](#): > > Are we doing spoilers in this thread? Anyway, there is only pretty much one pairing that makes sense, and in the context of the movie, that pairing did not make sense. I did not have to see goo goo Gamora, and in the timeframe of the movie, completely unbelievable. It took me out of the movie a bit. [Spoiler]Calling it “romance” is pretty strong. I thought it was just Peter Quill trying to sleaze his way into bed with Gamora, and she shot him down pretty quickly. I didn’t get impression that they were planning on going anywhere with it Not that Gamora isn’t up for it most of the time. She once got annoyed with Nova because he came to her room for a chat, and actually wanted a chat [/Spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![Bakhesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Bakhesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bakhesh)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/66 "2014-08-01T17:25:53Z")
Opens with $11.2m, the best box office for a Thursday so far this year… > **[Box Office Shocker: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Eyes $95M-Plus Debut](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-shocker-guardians-galaxy-722792/)** > > UPDATED: The galactic superhero tentpole earned $11.2 million Thursday night alone, besting the $10.2 million earned in early April by fellow Marvel title “Captain America: The Winter Soldier… ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/67 "2014-08-01T20:48:12Z")
> [@Bakhesh](#): > > Opens with $11.2m, the best box office for a Thursday so far this year… > > [Box Office Shocker: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Eyes $95M-Plus Debut](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-guardians-galaxy-rockets-722792) I saw that! I was feeling pretty good at 75M-78M, but that’s looking light now. Even though the OP will be wicked high, if this comes in at 90M or 95M he probably gets a little moral victory. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/68 "2014-08-01T21:35:44Z")
Saw it today, loved it, hope it does well and catapults Chris Pratt into super stardom. I have a question though: The pink skinned woman Star Lord finds in his ship in the first quarter of the movie, what the hell happens to her? As soon as he said “I keep on forgetting that you’re around”, I was waiting for that Chekhov’s Gun to fire but it never did. It seemed like a totally unnecessary scene and I don’t know why it was in the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/69 "2014-08-01T21:43:24Z")
I may have been a little too enthusiastic with my numbers but FWIW I saw the movie in the middle of the day in a packed house. Loved it BTW ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/70 "2014-08-01T21:56:24Z")
> [@Shalmanese](#): > > Saw it today, loved it, hope it does well and catapults Chris Pratt into super stardom. He’s already starring in the next Jurassic Park installment, so he seems to be well on his way. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/71 "2014-08-01T22:09:06Z")
> [@Shalmanese](#): > > It seemed like a totally unnecessary scene and I don’t know why it was in the movie. Only if you consider jokes unnecessary 😛 ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/72 "2014-08-01T22:22:56Z")
**[There is now a separate Thread to discuss having seen the movie.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=729986)** > [@Tabby\_Cat](#): > > I thought it was a bit stilted at times, the humor was a bit forced, and certainly the romance was completely not believable… But the show was worth it for Rocket. > [@Shalmanese](#): > > I have a question though: The pink skinned woman Star Lord finds in his ship in the first quarter of the movie, what the hell happens to her? ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2014, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/73 "2014-08-02T00:13:55Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > I may have been a little too enthusiastic with my numbers but FWIW I saw the movie in the middle of the day in a packed house. Loved it BTW I just saw an estimate of $98 million! It could happen. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2014, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/74 "2014-08-02T00:25:36Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > . . . > [BoxOfficeMojo](http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3882&p=.htm) goes all the way up to $82 million. Getting closer. > [@](#): > > posted by **Box Office Mojo** : Friday AM Update: Could Guardians of the Galaxy open to $100 million this weekend? Based on late Thursday earnings, this is actually within the realm of possibilities. If it tops 120, you heard it from \*\*Quimby \*\*first. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2014, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/75 "2014-08-02T16:32:34Z")
> [@Shalmanese](#): > > Saw it today, loved it, hope it does well and catapults Chris Pratt into super stardom. > > I have a question though: The pink skinned woman Star Lord finds in his ship in the first quarter of the movie, what the hell happens to her? As soon as he said “I keep on forgetting that you’re around”, I was waiting for that Chekhov’s Gun to fire but it never did. It seemed like a totally unnecessary scene and I don’t know why it was in the movie. First, you are misremembering his line; it was “I’m gonna be honest; I forgot you were still here”. He doesn’t “keep on forgetting” that she’s on his ship; she’s just last night’s hookup that hasn’t left yet. She’s there to establish that Quill is a Lothario; that’s all. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2014, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/76 "2014-08-02T16:48:22Z")
Guardians reported $37 million for Friday, which includes Thursdays shows. Iron Man 2 did $51M on the way to $128M Man of Steel did $56M on the way to $118M Alice in Wonderland did $40 on the way to $116M Deathly Hollows 1 did $61M on the way to $125M. Those are the best comparables I could find in recent years. The all-time record for an August opening weekend (not a Friday) is $69M for 2007’s The Bourne Ultimatum, which it should easily pass with 3-D money. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2014, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/77 "2014-08-02T17:04:37Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Guardians reported $37 million for Friday, which includes Thursdays shows. > > Iron Man 2 did $51M on the way to $128M > > Man of Steel did $56M on the way to $118M > > Alice in Wonderland did $40 on the way to $116M > > Deathly Hollows 1 did $61M on the way to $125M. > > Those are the best comparables I could find in recent years. > > The all-time record for an August opening weekend (not a Friday) is $69M for 2007’s The Bourne Ultimatum, which it should easily pass with 3-D money. The thing is, all of those movies are about established franchises with huge fan bases. GotG is, IMO, best compared to something like _Men In Black_, which grossed $51M in it’s opening weekend (that’s US$73M adjusted for inflation). The reason I like the comparison to _MiB_ is because very few people ever saw or knew about the comic books published by a small Canadian insulation-manufacturer-turned-comic-book-publishing-house, yet it became a huge hit. And so far, GotG is pretty much on track to shatter that number. I’ll be surprised if it goes over $82M this weekend, but I’ll be shocked if it doesn’t make more than $600M worldwide _in toto_ (and frankly I think it’ll be closer to the $1B mark by this time next year). ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2014, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/78 "2014-08-02T17:37:34Z")
As I said earlier, every high grossing movie this year is part of a series franchise. Most blockbusters are these days. There are exceptions: I left out Twilight 1 because it brought in $138M, too high to be comparable. Men in Black is not really a good fit. It starred Will Smith and opened on the July 4th weekend, a year after he had become a star in the even-higher grossing Independence Day. That was back in the distant past of 1997. MiB is an outlier. In the 17 years since Smith has had exactly one movie match its total gross, I am Legend, and that’s only because of inflation. GotG will do very well. But probably not triple digits. And absolutely not $120M. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2014, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/79 "2014-08-02T18:51:08Z")
Boxofficemojo now says $92-$96 is likely. Pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2014, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242/80 "2014-08-02T19:56:23Z")
I just got back from a 11:45 show. The theater was 3/4 full. There was a huge line for the next show. Not bad for the 2-D screen. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prediction-guardians-of-the-galaxy-makes-120-million-its-opening-weekend/694242.md?page=5)