Box Office Preview: 'Divergent' To Triumph At Box Office

"Divergent" is set to win the box office beating out the new "Muppets" flick and holdovers "300" Rise of an Empire" and "Mr. Peabody &Sherman."

Lionsgate is opening the new film based on Veronica Roth's movie hoping for a strong opening. The film is currently tracking at $50 to $60 million which is a solid start for a new franchise. However it would be far from the grosses of "Twilight" which opened to $69.6 million while "The Hunger Games" opened to $152 million. "Divergent" is bound to attract the books fanbase but it will be interesting to see what other audiences will see the movie. Opening in 3,800 theaters, the movie currently has bad reviews and could potentially hurt the film's final opening weekend.

"Muppets: Most Wanted should easily debut in second. The film currently has good reviews but nowhere near the raves the first one obtained. The movie is expected to open within the mid $20 million. However it will not reach the $29.2 million the original 2011 flick opened with.

"Mr. Peabody & Sherman" is expected to make $15 million. That would potentially bring its total gross to $85 million. The film scored great reviews and has obtained great word of mouth.

 In fourth place "300: Rise of an Empire" is expected to drop 50 percent and make $11 million. That would bring the movie at 95 million and would still be behind its predecessor.

"Need For Sped" is not expected to hold on any better. The movie's opening was a bomb and the lack of word of mouth will make the film continue its disappointing run. Expect $10 million for the end of the weekend

A number of arthouse films will also expand and open this weekend. Leading the pack will be Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel" which is expanding to 304 theaters. The film has broken records ever since it opened and has already made an outstanding $5.8 million 66 theaters.

"Veronica Mars" will also expand to 347 theaters. The $6 million budget film bombed last weekend opening in 291 theaters as it only made $1.9 million. Since the movie is also on demand, it is likely "Veronica Mars" will do any better.

"God's Not Dead" will open in 780 theaters. However the lack of buzz, reviews or promotion from its distributor Freestyle, the film will open below the top ten.

Focus Features will expand "Bad Words" into 87 theaters. After a solid start last weekend, expect the Jason Bateman directed film to continue a solid run.

Magnolia will open Lars Von Triers' "Nymphomaniac Volume 1." The film has been on VOD for one week and with the director's fanbase, it is likely the film will open solidly. Von Triers films have never opened in wide release but have managed to make solid numbers at the box office.

Roadside Attractions will open "Blood Ties." The Cannes selection stars Clive Owen, Marion Cotillard, Billy Crudup, Mila Kunis, Zoe Saldana, Matthias Schoenaerts, and James Caan and is expected to open in 28 theaters.