'Beauty and the Beast' Could Rake in $120 Million on Opening Weekend

It's a tale as old as time: When you have a huge star headlining a high-profile remake of a beloved fairy tale, big box office returns are likely. And according to early tracking, "Beauty and the Beast" is certainly well on its way to a huge opening weekend.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, early reports have indicated that "Beauty" is on pace to make about $120 million on opening weekend next month. And while studio Disney is being more conservative in its own estimates, pegging the flick for just over $100 million in its opening frame, that sum still places the movie in the upper echelon of all-time highest-grossing March releases, joining the ranks of blockbusters such as "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice" ($166.1 million in 2016), "The Hunger Games" ($152.5 million in 2012), and "Alice in Wonderland" ($116.1 in 2010).

That shouldn't really come as a surprise, though, considering the excitement surrounding the remake. It's already on pace to pass fellow Disney property "Finding Dory" in advance ticket sales, and its trailers and teasers have beaten out the likes of "Fifty Shades Darker" and "The Force Awakens" to capture single-day online viewing records. Plus, fans have already spotted a "Harry Potter" reference in the flick, and star Emma Watson's considerable Potterhead fan base is no doubt eager to search for more.

Watson recently spoke out about the immense pressure she's feeling -- both from fans and from herself -- to get the part right, but it looks like she won't have any trouble convincing moviegoers to give the film a shot. Now, all that remains to be seen is just how much cash the flick can conjure on its opening weekend.

"Beauty and the Beast" opens on March 17.

[via: The Hollywood Reporter]

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