First Glance at ‘Dog Man’ and ‘Companion’: Weekend Box Office Crystal Ball Predictions

So, it seems the weekend box office is barking up a storm with "Dog Man" leading the pack! Forget the usual Hollywood drama; we’ve got animated paws in action, ready to fetch some serious cash! 🐶💸

Universal and DreamWorks Animation have unleashed their latest canine caper, "Dog Man," and it’s expected to wag its way to the top with a fetching $25 million to $30 million from 3,800 North American theaters. With family flicks in high demand, some are even optimistic enough to predict a $40 million jackpot. To put things in perspective, "Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie" strutted into cinemas back in 2017, opening with $23.8 million and eventually marking its territory with $73 million domestically and a global fetch of $125 million.

Now, don’t get your monsters mixed up! "Dog Man" is not to be confused with "Wolf Man," Universal’s horror show that howled into theaters earlier this month. With a scarcity of new kid-friendly films, "Dog Man" is primed to take a bite out of the box office. It’s been a dry spell for parents seeking fresh entertainment for their little ones, with "Mufasa: The Lion King," "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," and "Moana 2" having already danced their way across the silver screen. Based on Dav Pilkey’s delightful children’s graphic novel series, this $40 million-budgeted film follows a human cop and his loyal dog, who become the ultimate duo after a life-saving fusion surgery. Lending their voices to this tail-wagging adventure are Pete Davidson, Lil Rel Howery, and Isla Fisher.

On another note, Warner Bros. and New Line are rolling out the red carpet for "Companion," an R-rated satirical sci-fi thriller aiming to rake in $8 million to $10 million from 2,750 cinemas domestically, with an additional $5 million internationally. With an impressive 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, "Companion" might just be the sleeper hit of late January, proving once again that you can’t judge a book by its cover—or a movie by its budget, which stands at $10 million before marketing spends. Starring Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid, this pseudo-love story takes a wild twist when a group of friends on a wooded getaway discovers one of them is a companion robot. 🤖

Both "Dog Man" and "Companion" are expected to inject some life into the chilly winter box office. But don’t expect things to truly heat up until Disney and Marvel’s "Captain America: Brave New World" flies into theaters on February 14. Sam Wilson, we’re counting on you! 🦸‍♂️

Moral of the Story:
In Hollywood, whether you’re a dog or a robot, there’s always a chance to fetch fame and fortune—as long as you have a good bark or a compelling beep! 🎬🐾