‘Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ On Track To Break Box Office Records

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will set the box office ablaze this November.

Given the worldwide success of director Gary Ross’ 2012 action-drama The Hunger Games, industry insiders believe the next installment of the series will break all sorts of box office records. According to The Wrap, analysts predict that the movie will make an estimated $185 million during its first weekend in theaters.

“Between Jennifer Lawrence’s exploding popularity and the momentum from the first movie, ‘Catching Fire’ is going to be a cultural phenomenon, and will be significantly bigger than the original at the box office,” Exhibitor Relations’ Jeff Bock told the website.

While analysts believe The Hunger Games sequel will make upwards of $185 million, Deadline reports that studio estimates are a bit more conservative. Although Summit Entertainment and Lionsgate expect to make a serious amount of money, executives believe the movie will make between $140 million and $150 million.

The first Hunger Games movie made $152.5 million during its opening weekend last year. Despite the popularity of the original adventure and Jennifer Lawrence’s current star power, Lionsgate still thinks the follow-up will make as much as the original.

According to the folks at Cinema Blend, The Twilight Saga: New Moon currently holds the record for the biggest opening weekend in November. The vampire drama made approximately $142.8 million when it hit theaters back in 2009.

Here’s how Summit and Lions officially describe Catching Fire:

“Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a “Victor’s Tour’ of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) — a competition that could change Panem forever.”

In order to get everyone on the planet jazzed about the forthcoming sequel, the studio recently released the final trailer for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. If you missed the clip, or you simply want to watch it again, then you should investigate the video below.

Here’s the recent IMAX poster for Catching Fire.

In addition to Jennifer Lawrence, the sequel stars Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Lenny Kravitz, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Toby Jones, Woody Harrelson, Jena Malone, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amanda Plummer, and Jeffrey Wright.

Are you planning to catch The Hunger Games: Catching Fire in theaters next month?

[Image via Summit Entertainment / Lionsgate]