The upcoming sequel reuniting Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan is projected to take the top spot at the domestic box office this weekend, ending the current reign of Marvel’s latest superhero film.
Industry analysts predict “
Freakier Friday,” the long-awaited follow-up to the popular 2003 body-swap comedy “Freaky Friday,” will generate enough ticket sales to surpass “
The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” which has held the number one position since its release.
Anticipated Reunion
The film marks a significant reunion for Curtis and Lohan, who starred as mother and daughter in the original Disney hit over two decades ago. Their return to these beloved characters has generated substantial buzz among fans of the first film and new audiences alike.
The original “Freaky Friday” was both a commercial and critical success, grossing over $160 million worldwide on a modest budget. It also received positive reviews for its humor and the chemistry between its lead actresses.
Curtis, an established Hollywood veteran with recent success in the “Halloween” franchise, and Lohan, who has been making a career comeback in recent years, bring star power that appears to be translating into strong box office projections.
Box Office Battle
Marvel’s “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” has dominated theaters since its debut but appears vulnerable to the Disney sequel’s challenge. The superhero reboot, which introduces audiences to a new iteration of Marvel’s first family, has performed well but faces stiff competition from the family-friendly comedy.
Box office analysts point to several factors contributing to “Freakier Friday’s” projected success:
- Nostalgia for the original film, which has maintained a strong following
- Multi-generational appeal that attracts both parents who saw the original and their children
- Limited family-friendly competition in the current theatrical landscape
The shift in box office leadership highlights the ongoing power of established franchises and the draw of reuniting popular on-screen duos. Disney has increasingly leveraged its catalog of beloved films for sequels and remakes, often with strong financial results.
Industry Impact
The success of “Freakier Friday” could signal continued interest in reviving dormant franchises with original cast members, a strategy that has yielded mixed results for studios in recent years.
“When you bring back original stars to roles that made them famous, you’re tapping into built-in audience goodwill,” notes one industry observer. “The trick is delivering a story that feels fresh while honoring what people loved about the original.”
For Disney, the projected box office victory represents another win in their strategy of balancing new intellectual property with extensions of proven franchises. The studio has carefully positioned the sequel to appeal to multiple demographics.
Meanwhile, Marvel Studios will likely view “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” as a successful launch for their reboot of the superhero team, even if it surrenders the top spot after its initial run.
The weekend results will be closely watched by industry insiders as both films represent significant investments by their respective studios and could influence future production decisions.
