Box Office Preview: 'Zero Dark Thirty' 'Gangster Squad' and 'A Haunted House' Among New Releases

This weekend three films open wide with hopes of a box office crown. "Zero Dark Thirty" "Gangster Squad" and "A Haunted House" open wide while "Quartet" and "Struck by Lightning" open in select theaters.

The first big film to open is "Zero Dark Thirty" which expands nationwide after a successful run in 60 theaters. The Academy Award Best Picture nominee recounts the decade long search for Osama Bin Laden and will be entering 3,000 theaters. "Thirty" has scored universal acclaim with a 95% on Rottantomatoes.com.

"Gangster Squad" marks the first big blockbuster of 2013 and features an all star cast including Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Josh Brolin, Michael Pena and Sean Penn. The film follows John O'Mara's long fight against mobster Mickey Cohen. The film has received poor reviews and has an aggregate score of 35%. "Squad" is being distributed by Warner Bros and will open in 3,100 theaters.

The final wide release is "A Haunted House" starring Marlon Wayans. The film tells the story of a recently married couple who moves to a haunted house. "House" is a parody of "Paranormal Activity and "The Devil Inside" and marks the return Marlon Wayans to film after a three year absence. "A Haunted House" was not screened for critics and is being released by Open Road Films in 2,160 theaters.

In Art House Theaters, Golden Globe nominee "Quartet" opens in New York and Los Angeles. The Weinstein Company's film about four opera singers reuniting in a nursing home is directed by Dustin Hoffman and premiered in Toronto Film festival to great reviews. Maggie Smith garnered the films sole Golden Globe nomination.

Also opening is "Struck by Lightning" written by star Chris Colfer. The film received exceptional reviews at the Tribeca Film festival a year ago but recently obtained poor reviews with an aggregate score of 29%. The film also stars Rebel Wilson, Allison Janney and Christina Hendricks and opens in New York. "Lightning" is being distributed by Tribeca Films and is now available on demand.

For information on "Zero Dark Thirty" Click Here.

For information on "Gangster Squad" Click Here.

For Information on "A Haunted House" Click Here.

For Information on "Struck by Lightning" Click Here.