"Straight Outta Compton," which opens this weekend, is expected to be another box-office hit for Universal Pictures.
The musical biopic, co-financed by Legendary Pictures, could debut with $33 million to $43 million, according to people familiar with pre-release audience surveys. Universal has a more modest forecast in the mid-to-high $20-million range. Meanwhile, fellow new box-office offering “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” could make up to $16 million.
The box office cooled down in August after a slew of films, including superhero reboot “Fantastic Four,” failed to lure many moviegoers. However, year to date, the industry is still up about 7%, though down 27% from the same period last year, according to research firm Rentrak.