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Box Office Preview: 'Lion' could be king again

Disney's "The Lion King," one of the most successful animated films ever, will roar again this weekend with a 3-D release that could put it back at the top of the box office charts with a very proud $12 million plus. The 1994 release was the second-highest grossing film of that year and ranks fourth on the all-time domestic animated list with over $784 million in worldwide revenue.
/ Source: The Associated Press

Disney's "The Lion King," one of the most successful animated films ever, will roar again this weekend with a 3-D release that could put it back at the top of the box office charts with a very proud $12 million plus. The 1994 release was the second-highest grossing film of that year and ranks fourth on the all-time domestic animated list with over $784 million in worldwide revenue.

"Contagion," however, will not be eradicated without a fight and the Warner Bros. release will likely spread another $11 million into domestic theaters following its winning $23 million opening last week.

The debuting crime drama "Drive" from Film District should skid into third place with around $10 million. Starring Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan, the R-rated crime drama features some pretty amazing stunt driving and should have plenty of young males racing to the multiplex.

Sony's remake of the 1971 Sam Peckinpah classic "Straw Dogs" is another newcomer this weekend. The original, which starred Dustin Hoffman, has been updated with a solid cast that includes James Marsden (in the Hoffman role), "True Blood's" Alexander Skarsgard and Kate Bosworth. These R-rated "Dogs" should take about a $9 million bite out of the box office this weekend.

The debuting "I Don't Know How She Does It," a PG-13 comedy about a woman who juggles family and a career, should provide a nice option for female audiences and bring home around $8 million for The Weinstein Co.

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Paul Dergarabedian is president of the Box Office Division of Hollywood.com and provides box office analysis for The Associated Press.

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