1. Epic (Fox, 3,882 Theaters, 102 Minutes, Rated PG): This film has a bigger theater count than either The Hangover Part III (3,555) or Fast & Furious 6 (3,658). That tells me that Fox is expecting a lot of moms to bring their kids to see this film while dad sees one of the other two.
This film is based on William Joyce’s children’s books The Leaf Men and The Brave Good Bugs. It deals with a teenager who finds a war going on amongst the small plants in her local woods. Soon, she shrinks down to take part in the battle between good and evil she finds there.
So, it sounds like a Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, The Ant Bully, Antz megamix, with A Bug’s Life, which Joyce worked on, added in for good measure. While I’m sure that Fox is hoping their attempt at counter programming works, other computer animated films based on Joyce’s works (Meet the Robinsons, Rise of the Guardians) haven’t really set the box office on fire. I expect the same here.
