'Nightmare' redo eyeing No. 1 boxoffice bow

The spring boxoffice season's final weekend matches an R-rated horror pic against a family-friendly comedy as Warner Bros. debuts the remake of "A Nightmare on Elm Street," and Summit Entertainment bows "Furry Vengeance."

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"Nightmare" is sure to top the session, with solid tracking indicating prospects of scaring up as much as $30 million through Sunday. So that leaves the PG-rated "Vengeance" to duke it out with DreamWorks Animation's "How to Train Your Dragon" in the competition for the frame's other two medal positions.

"Dragon" has mounted a leggier run than expected, running north of $180 million, and the Paramount-distributed adventure looks likely to fetch low-teen millions in its sixth domestic session playing in a mix of 2D and 3D auditoriums. The film has rung up more than 60% of its theatrical coin in 3D venues each weekend.

Imax venues have offered the richest vein of 3D loot for "Dragon." Family moviegoers have been its chief base of support.

Directed by music video helmer Samuel Bayer, the R-rated "Nightmare" stars Jackie Earle Haley as iconically evil Freddy Krueger in the New Line horror series' sixth installment.

"It's a great franchise," Warners distribution president Dan Fellman said. "We're looking for a strong opening."

Co-produced by Participant Media and Imagenation Abu Dhabi, "Vengeance" stars Brendan Fraser as a real estate developer beset by woodland creatures. Roger Kumble ("College Road Trip") directed.

"We're targeting young moviegoers between ages 7 and 11," Summit distribution topper Richie Fay said.

Tracking has been a bit soft, with a bow of $8 million-$10 million looking likely. That probably would put it behind "Dragon" in the weekend pecking order.

Limited bows include Sony Pictures Classics' "Please Give," an ensemble comedy starring Catherine Keener, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt and Rebecca Hall unspooling in three theaters in New York and two in Los Angeles. Directed by Nicole Holofcener ("Friends With Money"), "Give" is rated R.

And among today's notable expansions, Anchor Bay broadens the Andy Garcia starrer "City Island" from 77 locations to 269 sites in 85 markets. The adult-targeted dramedy totes a $1.3 million cume into its seventh weekend of platform release.

Industrywide, distributors are sure to mark a second consecutive year-over-year weekend downtick. That's because the comparable frame last year launched the summer season, with the $85 million opening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" topping a $158 million overall performance.

Year-to-date, boxoffice is pacing 10% ahead of last year at $3.29 billion.