Celebrate the second annual tradition of National Cinema Day (NCD) this coming Sunday, August 27th with a few selections from our resident film critic Commander Shipp.
This initiative that started back in 2022 by non-profit The Cinema Foundation, aims to get people back into theaters by coordinating with studios and theater chains for a singular day to celebrate the movies with a cheaper entry price across the board.
Last year, Top Gun: Maverick (2022) was still dominating the summer box office months after its release and took the first place slot on NCD’s inaugural day on Saturday, September 3rd. But there were plenty of movie to enjoy that weekend, like the Spiderman: No Way Home (2021) re-release, DC League of Super Pets (2022), or Bullet Train (2022) to name a few. Since this year’s installment doesn’t fall on Labor Day, it’s possible we’ll see a different type of box office return since people may have less free time this coming weekend than on a 4-day holiday.
So, let’s predict who the potential winner of the weekend will be and make some recommendations on what you should go see.
Who Will Win National Cinema Day 2023?
Since this is only the second year of the event, and last year took place during Labor Day, predicting what’s going to happen is rather difficult. We could easily just say the biggest blockbuster of 2023, Barbie, will rein supreme this Sunday. After all, like Top Gun: Maverick, it’s such a good film, that making the decision to watch it again like many did for Maverick seems like a slam dunk.
However, DC’s Blue Beetle (2023) and Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) seem primed to have strong weekends, as they are family-friendly adventures that may give groups an alternative to rewatching Barbie for the hundredth time (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
What about Oppenheimer (2023)? Given that the 70mm screenings are still going fairly strong – and anecdotally looking at local seat reservations near me, the middle sections are already booking up – it could have a strong weekend as well. I doubt it will beat Beetle or Barbie, but could be neck and neck with Turtles or my last movie on the prediction list: Meg 2 (2023). Look, it’s a bad shark movie, but people like seeing Jason Statham fighting CGI monstrosities and there’s a certain charm to this film. Don’t be surprised if people are looking to let off a little steam with this one.
Revenue Prediction for Sunday, August 27th
- Barbie– $7 million
- Blue Beetle- $6 million
- Oppenheimer– $5 million
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem– $4 million
- Meg 2: The Trench– $4 million
The Easy Bet
Credit: Warner Bros Pictures / 2023
Sure WB really did this film a disservice with how they’ve marketed it, especially within the overall direction of the DC film universe; it’s given fans almost no incentive to go check this film out. However, I can promise it will be a fun time for you and the family and is honestly one of the better constructed origin stories out there.
Family Alternatives
This set of films should be solid picks for the whole family and provide a variety of comedy, action, and thoughtfulness that will work with different age groups.
Credit: Paramount Pictures / 2023
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Anytime a franchise can escape the shadow of Michael Bay (Bad Boys, Transformers) the result is usually pretty good. TMNT:MM excels by returning to a medium that works really well for the their design, fantastical elements, along with really nailing what makes the series work.
Credit: Warner Bros Pictures / 2023
Barbie
As much as I loved my initial viewing, I felt like there were moments that would go over kids heads and only land with older fans. However, after repeat viewings and conversations with parents, I think that initial worry was unfounded and the layers in this movie will give younger audiences something to chew on and appreciate more as they grow up.
Credit: Universal Studios / 2023
Jurassic Park (30th anniversary re-release)
Even before the recent WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, there wasn’t a ton of hype about one of the 90’s most impactful and influential blockbusters, where Spielberg was at the height of his powers. If you can catch it this weekend near you, it’s a timeless classic that needs no introduction.
An Indie Near You
Availability is going to be hit or miss on these next few due to being released in a smaller set of theaters, but each will be worth your time if you want to support some smaller projects or classic re-releases.
Credit: Sony Pictures Classics / 2023
Shortcomings
Randall Park’s directorial debut adapts Adrian Tomine’s wonderful 2007 graphic novel that challenges Asian American relationship norms while existing as a minority creator in San Francisco, with a mix of modern and the original work’s 2007-era sensibilities.
Credit: A24 / 2023
Past Lives
Celine Song’s directorial debut tells a love story across decades, as two Korean childhood friends reconnect and wrestle with their missed chance. Sure, it may hit some beads you’ve seen in other romance dramas, but I promise this will leave you distraught by the time the credits roll.
Looking For Some Action?
Now, obviously some of the movies I’ve already referred to will work as action movies, but if you’re heading out with a group of friends, these movies may fit the bill.
Credit: Christian Black, Copyright: © 2023 Paramount Pictures.
Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One
Many filmgoers missed this one as the Barbenheimer hype went into full steam, but it’s completely worth your time if you’re a fan of Tom Cruise’s pursuit of delivering even higher stunts and excellence on the big screen. The 2 hour 43 minute runtime does affect the enjoyment in some spots.
Credit: Show East / 2003
Oldboy (20th anniversary 4K restoration)
Park Chan-wook’s seminal 2003 classic restored in 4K, what’s not to love? If you’ve enjoyed his more recent films like Snowpiercer (2013) or Decision to Leave (2022), then there’s a great chance you’ll love the film that launched him into international stardom. While it’s not playing everywhere, if you live near an Alamo Drafthouse, I can confirm it’s playing in most of their theaters (not a sponsored plug).
Need Some Horror?
There’s not a ton of horror out at the moment, as much of that will start to release in September onward as we head into the spooky season with films like The Nun 2 (2023) or The Exorcist: Believer (2023). However, there is a great supernatural thriller from A24 that will fit the bill until October arrives.
Sophie Wilde, 2022. © A24 / Courtesy Everett Collection
Talk To Me
It’s probably one of the best possession movies I’ve seen in a long time. The mechanics of the film work great and while it definitely leans harder into the thriller / spooky vibe then scary, it will leave you unsettled until the very last moment.
Probably Avoid
Look, just because you’re getting into a theater for $4 doesn’t mean these are going to be worth your time. So watch these at your own peril…
Credit: Warner Bros Pictures / CMC / 2023
Meg 2: The Trench
Like I said earlier, it’s a giant shark movie with Jason Statham, so while there are some memorable moments, there’s plenty of forgettable nonsense that drags down the whole affair. You would be better off staying at home and just rewatching Jaws (1975) for the hundredth time or catching the Jurassic Park‘s re-release.
Credit: Sony Pictures / Columbia Pictures / 2023
If you own Ford vs Ferrari (2019) on Blu-ray, or have access to literally any other racing movie, you’ll likely enjoy it more than this feeble attempt by Sony Pictures, laden with their latest products placed ever so carefully throughout the entire film.
Got Some Time?
Credit: Universal Pictures / 2023
Oppenheimer
If you haven’t caught it yet and have some time to burn on Sunday, you won’t go wrong with this one…plus given how much a usual IMAX or large format screen usually costs, this will be your best chance to catch the film at a discount before it releases digitally / physically later in the year.
Not Enough Data
At the time of writing, there’s a few films I haven’t written about – either because I never watched them, they have already left theaters, or the chances they are playing are pretty slim. So, no slight to those films, but just wanted to keep this list as recent as possible. If you live near an independent theater (usually your local dollar theater) that specializes in showing films from earlier in the year, you’ll likely have a better chance to catch ones that released in June or earlier.
So what do you think? Do any of these films catch your eye? What will you be seeing this weekend? Let us know in the comment section or join us in the NU Discord for more conversations on National Cinema Day!
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