Venom vs A Star Is Born: Box office battle could be MUCH closer than expected

Venom received a chilly reception from critics earlier this week, and its aggregated Rotten Tomatoes score is currently 30%.

It was being touted as the film to crush Gravity’s all-time record for the best ever October opening in the US, but could the negative buzz hold it back?

According to Box Office Pro, it still stands a very good chance of clearing Gravity’s bar – with hype from Marvel fans still going strong.

The site’s tracking range is fairly wide; putting it somewhere between $50 million and $75 million, meaning it stands a solid chance of breaking the record.

Meanwhile A Star Is Born, which is opening the same weekend, has had incredible word-of-mouth ahead of its launch, and its Rotten Tomatoes score is 93%.

It was initially forecast to land a $30 million+ debut, but that has now been lengthened to $40 to $60 million.

This means that BOTH movies could break Gravity’s October record by the end of the weekend.

It also means that there is a very small chance A Star Is Born could beat Venom – although this remains a very slim possibility.

That being said, it’s noted that A Star Is Born is far more likely to be the one to surprise forecasters for the better; while Venom is more likely to disappoint.

And whatever the result this weekend, the Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga-fronted drama is expected to enjoy a much longer run at the box office than its rival – perhaps putting it in the same league as the likes of The Greatest Showman and La La Land.

Here in the UK, both movies opened on Wednesday, and will be joined in the crowded marketplace today by Johnny English Strikes Again.

It is hoped that Venom will launch a new movie universe without the need for Spider-Man, the rights to whom are with Disney and Marvel Studios.

An end credits scene gives a strong hint as to what’s to come, too – click here for the spoiler.

Meanwhile, A Star Is Born will be bolstered today by the release of its soundtrack.

Gaga and Cooper have each recorded tracks for the album, which could enjoy similar chart success to The Greatest Showman and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

Venom and A Star Is Born are out now.