
The new releases this week look like solid contenders for the top spot, even against a still-strong "It: Chapter Two". The first new film, the sci-fi adventure drama "Ad Astra" starring Brad Pitt has been receveing strong buzz from critics, but it looks like audiences are mixed about it ("B-" grade from CinemaScore's polls). Regardless, the film has delivered $1.5 million from previews on Thursday night, on par with "Arrival", and could finish its opening weekend with around $19 million from 3,460 theaters.
Then there's Sylvester Stallone's final chapter in the Rambo franchise, the R-rated action thriller "Rambo: Last Blood", a film that reinforces the divide between critics and audiences, as the former disliked it, while the latter seem to enjoy it ("B" grade from CinemaScore). "Last Blood" brought in $1.3 million from previews and could end up with as much as $20 million from 3,618 theaters.
But the weekend's real star seems to be "Downton Abbey", the feature film sequel to the hit TV show of the same name. Beloved by both critics and moviegoers ("A" grade from CinemaScore), the film grossed $2.1 million from Thursday night previews, and pundits expect this one to debut with an estimated $22 million from 3,079 theaters.
In limited release it might be worth checking out the horror comedy "Villains" starring Bill Skarsgard, Maika Monroe, Kyra Sedgwick and Jeffrey Donovan.
Synopses, details, critical/audience reception, trailers, and more after the jump.