Will Star Trek Beat Angels & Demons To Stay At #1?

John Campea 84 Comments

The life span of movies these days has radically changed from 10 years ago. With so many new releases now, and with more and more people running out to see anticipated movies earlier and earlier in their theatrical runs, it is very rare for a #1 movie to repeat at #1 the following weekend. It will happen sometimes (still rare) when a MAJOR film comes out, and then nothing but junk comes out the following week.

But we have a very interesting situation here. On Friday another major film is coming out… Angels & Demons (the follow up film to The Da Vinci Code). Star Trek just hit #1 this weekend. Conventional logic (no pun intended) dictates that Angels & Demons (being the only wide release film this coming weekend) will take over the #1 spot. But I’ve got a feeling we might see Star Trek hold the #1 postions for a couple of reasons:

1) Star Trek is the best film of the year so far

2) Word of mouth. I’ve talked to a LOT of people who had no intention of seeing Star Trek, but because of all the people and critics raving about it are now planning on heading out either this week or coming weekend to see what all the fuss is about.

3) Repeat business. There are a LOT of people who have already seen Star Trek that are planning on seeing it again.

4) The Da Vinci Code disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, the film wasn’t a “bad” movie… but it certainly was a disappointment to a lot of people… both fans of the book and those who weren’t.

5) Lack of Angels and Demons buzz. I just don’t hear a lot of people buzzing about or talking about Angels and Demons that much.

So while I wouldn’t put money on it… don’t be surprised if we see Star Trek repeat at #1 even with another major summer film hitting theaters. It just might happen.

What do you guys think? Will Trek hold #1? Or will it be toppled like it’s supposed to be?

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84 thoughts on “Will Star Trek Beat Angels & Demons To Stay At #1?”

  1. It’s funny. Last year people were angry at Paramount for changing Star Trek’s release date from Christmas to May. People were concerned that Star Trek would get crushed by other major Summer blockbusters. Now, people are saying Star Trek will be no.1 two weeks in a row! That Star Trek is the movie of the Summer so far. Incredible.

    I’ve always known Star Trek could kick butt if done right. It’s funny how people have little faith in something as grand as Trek.

    That’s just my .2cents. Star Trek all the way.

  2. I’ve seen Star Trek four times now (in UK) – Thursday, Friday, Saturday on opening weekend and again last night. The cinema was nearly full last night – unlike thre previous three visits – and I assume word of mouth had something to do with it. People clapped at the end – I’ve never seen that before at a movie. Star Trek might just swing it this weekend.

  3. Why are we so focused on how much a movie makes? Can’t see why that is interesting? Who cares how much money it makes? I mean, except for the studio.

    1. Hey Thomas,

      It’s not focusing on “money”… it’s focusing on what people want to see… what has struck a choird with audiences that make them want to run out and see or not see.

      Box office results aren’t about money per se… it’s about gagueing what we, the public are responding to, what types of films and projects we’re seeing and which ones we’re not. And THAT is very very very interesting.

  4. I thought this movie was fantastic. It took the whole thing and remade the original idea. Each actor seemed to emulate the characters quite perfectly. Saw this with my mother who isn’t really into Star Trek, and she loved it.

  5. There is no buzz for Angels and Demons. By Friday of last week–everyone I knew was going. I can’t find anyone going to see Angels and Demons. the buzz is not there.

    I saw Star Trek on Tuesday and it was a full theater in the middle of the week? So based on that alone I have to assume Star Trek will hold the top spot even if it is only so slight.

  6. Star Trek was awesome. I might go see it again this weekend with my dad as he hasn’t seen it yet.

    Angels and Demons? Yeah, it looks ok but, after The Da Vinci Code, I will be seeing it via DVD when I have nothing to do next semester.

  7. “lol what a douche comment…is that just a name drop …u couldnt say i am busy on the weekend…..”
    sampson it looks like to me YOUR the one making a douche comments, ALL OF THEM in this thread. I did not catch Tim drop one name. You must be upset due to the fact Observe and Report was sooooo bad it was finally pulled from screens across the Country. I do know you thought it was your “Best of 2009”. Don’t worry little fella, Night at the Museum II opens soon.

  8. Lilsampson:
    ummm…it was my whole point regarding weekend numbers. Sorry if my being a lighting designer/director for 30 years offends you so much. My work takes up 18 hours a day, 50 weekends a year, and as a film fan….. I like my $ to count in box office totals. I thought this site did not allow personal attacks like some of the others? WTF?!

  9. I didnt even realize that A and D was coming out this weekend and I am actually excited to see it (even though Code was a let down). Ill take ST by a nose

  10. Here is my prediction for this upcoming weekend…

    1. Angels and Demons $43M
    2. Star Trek $38M (about 50% drop)
    3. Wolverine $12M
    4. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past $6M
    5. Obsessed $3

  12. In my personal case….MY Wife and I are returning to see Star Trek in IMAX tonight. We are going with a group of 6 who have all viewed the film this past weekend. In that group only 3 of us have seen X-Men Origins…none of us are going to see the film again. (DVD excluded) As I am in show business, the weekends are pretty much off limits due to time, however we are going to see Angels and Demons as my Wife is a fan of the books and I am a fan of Opie’s direction early Sat…. None of the 6 tonight are planning on seeing A & D. In a group of 15 friends….10 have seen ST, and 5 of them only due to my encouragement. Either they do not like Sc-Fi or are SW fans and you know how they feel about anything ST. But they ALL LOVED the film. What has to be taken into consideration that not only ST but A & D does appeal to the more mature film goer, thus I believe the 2nd week of ST will be just as stong with A & D a close 2nd. With the release of T:Salvation in 2 weeks….I think Star Trek will fall, but come a close again. Even Tom Hanks is worried if you have seen the latest interviews. There was no where near the expectation of how well ST did in the opening week. There were never 100 Mil projections….anywhere with the exception of the Trekkers and the 76.5 is an insult to all the SW fans. It was a HUGE risk to re-boot, but JJ can do no wrong and was very suprised and relieved with the 76.5 opening as was Paramount. ST threw a curveball to Hanks and company and they know it. The most difficult problem tonight is to make sure the DVR records “Fringe” with the hated, and fraud A.Idol always running over in time.

    1. “As I am in show business, the weekends are pretty much off limits due to time” lol what a douche comment…is that just a name drop …u couldnt say i am busy on the weekend…..

      (dvd excluded) As i am a international spy, the weekends are pretty much off limits do to me saving the world and having sex with many many babes.

      ^ sounds cooler now

  13. Well there’s the thing ST will stay at number one, I have now changed my estimate, as I got ST exactly right last week. A%D will come very close, but I just think ST has the edge because of the positive word of mouth, A&D is just opening this weekend and doesn’t have that edge

  14. the only way Angles & Demons will beat ST is how faithful and holy people are. thats right the only way A&D will make it to #1 is if religious people take it to the next level (like Passion of the Christ did).

    Until then ST will remain as ruler.

    1. well fact is the religious people willbe upset inless there catholic cause really its less about faith n god as much as its about science n shit….,..so nut job fanatics that wait there time to go see a movie will watch this crap….oh and for those who say its not crap…i make my case on how crappy the first one was.

  15. I think Star Trek will hold the top spot. Its as you say, there is no buzz for Angels and Demons, plus us the church are not making a fuss over the movie like last time so most people may not even know that its coming out. And besides Star Trek just rocked and it has a ton of buzz. Anyone that hasn’t seen it will be out this weekend to see it.

  16. Id wager that Star Trek holds on to the top spot. I went to see the Da Vinci code because of the hype and the history references (I dig that sorta thing.)

    But I gotta say, I was disappointed, and pretty much non-plused by the experience…and have no intentions on wasting ‘theatre’ funds on it. It will be a rental at best. I would gather there are a lot of people out there like me on this.

    Star Trek is good old, classic, popcorn fun. And that will fill the seats.

  18. I do think that Star Trek will stay on number 1. I see people buzzing about and I am one of those influenced who watched it. Haha and I extremely enjoyed it too! My parents did. Some people I know are going back for seconds and thirds. Really cool!

  19. A couple of things here:

    I don’t think DaVInci Code was a good movie at all. It still made money. However, one of the things going for the previous film was the controversy. While there are indeed some controversies with Angels and Demons, they are not as profound.

    As for the “lack of hype” for Angels, I strongly, strongly strongly disagree. I have seen so plugs on this one movie prequel it was insane. Now, the difference is, they are not pushing this towards younger viewers so Net-wise, it has an awareness, but not as big as Trek, Wolverine or the upcoming Harry Potter film. But let’s say you were watching Entertainment Tonight or CNN’s Showbiz and it’s another ballgame. In fact, I lost track of how many times in the last three months of how many times Entertainment Tonight have described Angels & Demons as a strong Oscar contender or how “great” the film looks. Yes, 95% of the time it’s sugar coated fluff, but the bait is on the hook.

    Now, will it beat Star Trek?
    The answer is no

    I don’t think there will be a huge drop off for Trek either. There will be one, but I don’t see it dropping any lower than 35%.

  20. Demons will absolutely crush Star Trek when it opens. I am estimating a 70-85 million dollor opening. The fan base is too large and too passionate. The fact is Star Trek’s opening was a disappointment and may have a hard time cracking 200 million domestically. It needed to do close to 100 million like Iron Man(acc. 98.6) last year.

    1. ya no shit…thats why i think they should have called it something differant…in davinci code…there was a divinci code…well there is no angels n demons…just something buried in the vatican…i might be wrong but isnt it like something to make a black holeor something…anyways im just saying…they didnt call aliens ghost…cause there are none!

  22. i won’t see it for a 2nd time in the theater but i wouldn’t be surprised if it beat Angels N Demons. Vegas would say Star Trek is the favorite going into the weekend.

    are there email replies on here?

  23. I will be watching Star Trek Again… but I will most likely also see Angels and Demons this weekend. I’ll be canceling out my own vote. But I want Star Trek to win!!!!

  25. Im gonna guess Star Trek will come in #1 again, There just isnt that much buzz about Angels, even though i plan to see it. I was surprised to see that my local theater has a midnight screening for Angels…i dont see a big turn out for this. Also im going to be very interested to see if local churches protest Angels like they did with the Da Vinci Code. Ive seen Star Trek twice, opening night and again today, I plan on seeing it at least one more time this summer at either an IMAX or at one of our 2 local Drive-in theaters.

  26. Star Trek will do something in the low 30’s or high twenties. In its second week. People over estimate the power of Star Trek movies.
    May the force be with you. ;o)

  27. Star Trek is overrated. SOme of the characters are cast well. Others (Kirk, Checkov) aren’t. The writing/script sucks ass. The action is good. But that’s just a cover for how bad the writing is. There’s no real point to the story and it has more holes than a whiffleball. By the way, there are no canyons in Iowa.

    3. LOL. Okay…Whatever. lol Please…Stop making excuses for bad writing. Rock quarry my ass. Canyon or no canyon… 200 foot “rock quarries” don’t exist in Iowa. If they somehow do in the distant future, then why? If there was a giant crashed spaceship in the middle of it…Okay…Makes sense…But then why wouldn’t they clean it up…(You wouldn’t leave a crashed jet liner in the middle of Pennsylvania now would you)

      That “rock quarry” was there for no other reason than – so the writer can show young Kirk do something inexplicably stupid so Kirk can look cool and dangerous – because the writer can’t imagine anything else in his/her limited screenwriting brain to logically evoke a thrill seeking spirit from the character…And logically do so within the arc of the story – what little real story there is IMO. Lots of cool action, overblown special effects, some good moments of nostalgia and a lovely Uhura… But no real story to tell. I promise you this movie will not hold up years from now. When they didn’t have the special effects we have in recent years… More often than they could ever imagine today…They HAD to dazzle us with good storytelling that made sense and had a obeyed it’s own logic. This movie is a very nicely painted used car with the odometer “juked” to look new…But the engine is clunky with no real kick to it. Simple as that IMO.

    4. Excuse or no, the “canyon” was there to strip mine for the shipyard nearby. See? I just made up a reason for why it was there. It was a contrivance to introduce a young rebel Kirk.

      As for the writing, it wasn’t D.C Fontanta, but it wasn’t meant to be, either. Just an entertaining re-introduction to Trek, and on that level it truly exceeded. Want to talk about bad writing? Look at Star Wars Eps. 1-3. The writing in ST is Oscar-calibur compared to that. The writing in Star Trek is great example of how to do a prequel right, something that Lucas totally failed at.

      BTW, I think A&D will win by a small margin as well, thanks to a difference in the attending demographic. I hope I’m wrong though.

    5. I did not think about that until you brought it up. Now, I will offer a possible answer.

      The Star Trek franchise is rebooted. However, there is one part of the former Trek that it does not. Anything that happened before the birth of James T Kirk mentioned in Trek lore remains. This includes:

      *a Third World War

      *possibly the Eugenics wars (Khan)

      *everything that happened in Star Trek Enterprise
      not to mention “The Temporal Cold War” (which is interesting, considering…)

      So I’d have to back up Kristina here. For some reason or another, something has happened that has made canyons in Iowa.

      And San Francisco the mecca of Earth.

    6. Well Heat, that’s just like your opinion, man. Most everyone elses opinion is that it was great (although I will say the writing wasn’t the greatest, but it wasn’t bad). I enjoyed the movie a lot (and saw it twice alread), and that’s just, like my opinion, man. Take her easy dude.

  28. I’ve been telling everyone who will listen that Angels and Demons will take the world wide summer box office this year. Sure, lots of Fanboys will see the Sci Fi movies this year, but Dan Brown has a huge following which was evident on the gross of Da Vinci Code.
    Angels and Demons will get the older female demographic as well as older males. Dan Brown’s books have sold over 60 fucking million copies world wide. This will be the big sleeper hit of the summer, although, I don’t think its much of a sleeper anymore. It will be a nice distractiong in between summer blockbuster special effects movies, I look forward to it.

    1. I think you’re probably wrong about Angels and Demons taking the world wide summer box office this year seeing as everyone of the harry potter films that have come out are in the top 25 all time world wide box office and harry potter comes out in just two months

  29. It’s a tough call, made even more so by the perceived differences in fan base (or demographic, you pick the term) for the two films. There are people who wouldn’t be caught dead seeing a Sci-Fi movie no matter how great the reviews are, and similarly the response to DaVinci Code and all the religious hoopla it caused may taint Angels & Demons. It seems that for a movie to have consecutive weeks at #1 these days requires an appeal across all demographics, and I just don’t think Star Trek is that movie. I loved it, and will see it again, but as a multi-week #1 with lots more films coming out leading up to memorial day, I don’t think it has those kind of legs. But over the long haul, I do think it will probably be one of the highest grossing films of the summer, if not THE highest grossing film.

  31. Angels and Demons was a much better book than The Da Vinci Code. Having said that, the buzz is severely lacking. I would said Angels and Demons opens at one, but a low #1 at that, and barely over Star Trek, which has a smaller drop than expected.

    Say, A&D $60 million, Star Trek $55 million.

  32. let’s not forget,
    although da vinci code got more praise, Angels and Demons was considered the better book of the two. i am currently reading the book and it’s amazing. not to mention it tops da vinci code in almost everyway.
    so, i believe that even people who were dissapointed by the da vinci code will come out and give Angels and Demons a chnce

  35. I think it’ll be close, but Star Trek will hold at #1.

    Also, can we please talk about Wolverine’s MASSIVE drop?! DAYUM! Guess it wasn’t just the internet fanboys and fangirls who hated that movie, huh?

    1. Key Kristina,

      It really wasn’t that big of a drop when you think about it. Another highly anticipated Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Action giant tentpole movie opend up the very next weekend. To be honest I was surprised Wolverine did as well as it did all things considered.

    2. I just figured that if people liked Wolverine then it would have held up a little better. I remember when Pirates 2 opened after Superman returns and SR actually held up pretty well considering the competition. Might not be a fair comparision, but if a movie is well-received, doesn’t it hold over stronger than that? People seemed to abandon Wolverine altogether.

    4. its cause the movie sucked…it had no substance….no one went home and told there friends “oh this movie was so good…wolverine was so bad ass it hurt”…no instead they went home and said “man i cant wait for start trek or terminator 4” ……plus no one wants to see angels n demons…by no one i mean no one!….sure if u read it maybe but still i doubt it…..i say it makes 25-35 mill

  36. Here in Mexico all major releases have been affected because of the flu. So the dates are like this…
    June 5: Up, Star Trek, Terminator
    June 12: Angels & Demons

    This schedule will definitely hurt ALL of those films… And personally I don’t know which one is the movie I should see on that weekend

    1. I live in Mexico too, heck I’d go see all those three movies on opening weekend! it’s been three weeks since I’ve been to the theater! (you know, since nothing is premiering)

  38. Star Trek will go down the ground, Angels And Demons will take the number 1 position. Star Trek only earned 76 million [ they thought 90 a 100 million ]. Star Trek will earn 30 million tops next week , AAD will make a 60 a 70 million. Star Trek down , Tom Hanks Up.

    1. Actually Star Trek earn $79-80 million. Paramount was still counting numbers. The only reason Star Trek didn’t do 90-100 million opening weekend is because it’s ‘Star Trek’! It had a stigma attached to it. However, after people saw it and loved it, I think that stigma is slowly fading away…at least for this movie. I won’t be surprise if it makes close to the same numbers again this week…only because people are now getting excited about it.

      I don’t hear anyone talking about Angels & Demons, but people ARE talking about seeing Star Trek. And I mean people who don’t even like Star Trek. Before Star Trek came out, a female co-worker complained that they keep making Star Trek movies and should let the franchise die already. She doesn’t like Star Trek or sci-fi movies in general. However, after opening weekend and all the great buzz, she changed her tone and plan to see it with her family. It’s the movie of the year right now. People are getting hype for Star Trek. Believe that!

  39. I think Star Trek will stay at number one. I was disappointed with the Da Vinci Code and don’t care about the new one. Also I am a Next Gen fan and not a Star Trek fan at all (never seen a movie or episode) and the trailers were good but didn’t really grab me. But when I started hearing good stuff about it I went to see it and was totally wow’d. What I was surprised was that Star Trek was in the culture so much that when character lines and other Trek specific things showed up in the movie I recognized them.

  40. I really think Angels And Demons will bomb, 15 M opening weekend and yes Star Trek will repeat, but it absolutely will not beat Terminator next week

  41. Star Trek will take the number spot, no problem. I saw The Da Vinci Code last night for the first time, it was ok, nothing great. It was only last week that I noticed that Angels & Demons was coming out.

  42. You should be surprised if Star Trek makes more then Angels and Demons. There is no way Star Trek is going to gross more then 50 mil and Angels and Demons is guaranteed at least that, no matter how bad it is.

  43. If word of mouth spreads then this sucker will hold strong and topple Angels & Demons & The Cookie Monster. I’m going to see Star Trek again this week so that alone should keep it at #1. :)

    1. I plan to see it again this weekend too. Star Trek was incredible. Despite its flaws, I can’t stop thinking about it. But it will fall to no.2 when Terminator 4 comes out. The only movie that stayed no.1 more than 3 weeks in a row was Titanic and that was a special case. It was also the only movie to make 2 billion. Again, a special case.

      I plan to see Angels & Demons, but I’m not excited about it. I could wait for it. Might see it on DVD seriously.

  44. I am going to pull some numbers out of ass here and say Star Trek falls 40% too 46 million next weekend, while A&D won’t have quite the opening weekend that DVC had, and open to 47 million therefore slightly beat Star Trek

  45. I personally think Star Trek has met it’s end. It will do very well in the box office and to it’s existing fans but I don’t feel it has the same new fan base as Angels and Demons. I have watched the new Star Trek movie and I must say that as an existing fan it is excellent.

    1. I would disagree. I have heard so many people who didn’t want anything to do with star trek declare them selves star trek fans after seeing the movie. Plus star trek is from the TV shows and movies and so it’s medium has not changed. Angels and Demons was originally a book so it’s medium has changed. Most of the time book to movies suck. There are a few exceptions but not that many. The people who read these books and like them know this and won’t be that hyped about the movie. Not to say they won’t see it just that they won’t be drooling over the trailers. Finally this movie, in my opinion, doesn’t look all that great and exciting, but that is just me.

      I think that Trek will hold it’s spot and I probably would put money on that.

  46. angels & demons might come at #1. look at phantom menace, it was bad, everyone bashed it, but attack of the clones did way better on its opening weekend than phantom menace.

    3. not to mention star trek won’t make as much on its opening weekend next week. all angels & demons has to do is hope and pray that star trek will make less money than opening weekend, i’m just sayin it could happen, i hope not cuz star trek was fucking incredible

  47. I wouldn’t be surprised if Angels and Demons debuts with a 60+ million opening weekend. So that would make it hard for Star Trek to pull in more than 50 million for a second weekend, but in the end Star Trek will have legs and Angels and Demons will fade out quickly.

  48. While it would be nice, I doubt it. Da Vinci Code made 77 million in its first weekend. Star Trek would either have to keep 100% of its audience next week or Da Vinci Code been so bad that the sequel gets largely ignored and has a much smaller opening.
    Even if Star Trek only has a 50% drop in its second weekend (which is a rare for a Summer blockbuster), Angels and Demons would have to draw half the audience of the original. And the original wasn’t that “bad”, just disappointing. It would have to be “Batman and Robin” level bad to promote that type of drop in the sequel’s attendance.

    And while there is little internet buzz (positive or negative) for Angels and Demons, that may be because the demographic who made the book a best seller for years aren’t the same type demographic who create buzz on the internet. I know a lot of people who loved the book and are excited about the movie but spend little to no time on the internet.

    Plus, it is a new Tom Hanks feature, how often does he open a big movie to less than $40 mil?

  49. well this is a no brainer…..something awesomely action packed with tons of referneces most normal people who are not trekkies will get and love….compared to a movie that lies right off the back cause there is no fucking angels or demons, a movie that has a bad record in lineage, a movie that will be meh at best….clearly the next movie to go see is Terminator 4,,so till then star trek will rule.

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