Ocean’s 8 to perform BETTER at the Box Office than male Ocean’s Eleven and its sequels?

Although it’s important to note that inflation is not accounted for, Ocean’s 8 – out in the US this weekend – is expected to net around $41 million this weekend, according to Box Office Pro.

That’s not only up on its own initial estimates ($30-36 million) but would also put it higher than the Ocean’s Eleven, Twelve or Thirteen.

By comparison, Ocean’s Eleven took $38 million in its first weekend, while Ocean’s Twelve made $39.2 million.

Ocean’s Thirteen closed the trilogy with an opening weekend gross of $36.1 million.

BOP notes that studio Warner Bros. are staying a little more conservative with their estimates; forecasting somewhere in the mid-$30 million ballpark.

Ocean’s 8 has managed a 71% score on Rotten Tomatoes, thanks to largely positive – if not quite enthusiastic – reviews.

In a B-graded write-up, Entertainment Weekly said: “Ocean’s 8’s girls-just-wanna-have-grand-larceny conceit is the kind of starry, high-gloss goof the summer movie season was made for.”

Time Out gave four stars, saying: “Resisting its mischievous spirit is simply impossible. How often is a group of skilled women allowed to be bad?”

New York Post, however, said: “Like a cubic zirconia knockoff of a priceless diamond necklace, this female Ocean’s update looks the part but just ain’t got that sparkle.”

And Toronto Star summarised: “It’s less Mission: Impossible and more Caper: Ridiculous, with contrivance piled upon coincidence in its elaborate diamond-theft narrative to the point where even the most generous viewer may lose patience.”

UK viewers have another week to wait: Ocean’s 8 is out over here next Friday, June 15.

Elsewhere at this week’s box office, Solo: A Star Wars Story should slip down to second place.

This would mark the first time since Disney took over LucasFilm that a Star Wars movie has spent less than three weeks at No1.

Hereditary, meanwhile – starring Toni Collette – is set to open at No4.