‘Jumanji’ Reboot Shows Surprising Strength Against ‘Last Jedi’

  • Movie predicted to topple Star Wars flick as weekend’s No.1
  • Sony needed hit after ‘Flatliners,’ ‘Ghostbusters,’ flops

Jack Black attends the 'Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle' U.K. premiere

Photographer: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
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Mix one of the world’s most popular actors, some family-friendly humor and a time-tested storyline together, and you can give yourself a chance at the box office, even against an army of stormtroopers.

“Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle,” the Dwayne Johnson reboot of a mid-1990s adventure film, has been nipping at the heels of Walt Disney Co.’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” at the U.S. box office since both debuted last month. It is expected to topple the space saga from the top position this weekend. Box Office Pro estimates “Jumanji” will bring in $32 million, about $7 million more than “The Last Jedi.”