Box office predictions: 'Twilight' vampires may succumb to 'The Muppets'

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SALT LAKE CITY -- November has been an auspicious month for successful movie releases. Three of the contributing top hits from the Thanksgiving weekend leaderboard, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1," "The Muppets" and "Happy Feet Two" were reworks of existing characters or plots. This has been a banner year for extending existing series, fueled by major summer blockbusters such as "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" and "Cars 2."

This weekend kicks off the December movie sprint that will see some major titles coming in time for Christmas. Looking over the releases for this coming Friday is fairly disappointing, however, providing an exception to the rule. All of the slated releases are limited release and for just cause; none appear likely to have the potential to break into the top five. This will provide a brief respite before the storm, allowing moviegoers to catch up on what they missed due to an overabundance of turkey, shopping and football this past weekend.

Based on past performance, predictions for the top five grossing films for this coming weekend are in order as follows:

"The Muppets"

After much deliberation, it seems likely that "Breaking Dawn" will capitulate to Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang. While hard to fathom that a bunch of marionette puppets from 1955 could dash the teenage vampire love craze fad, statistical precedent would seem to indicate otherwise.

"Eclipse," which was released over the Independence Day weekend in 2010, stayed on the list just two weeks before succumbing to the animated "Despicable Me." "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1" mirrored this, spending just two weekends in first place last Thanksgiving before bowing to "Tangled" the first weekend in December.

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"Breaking Dawn" has now had its two weeks in the spotlight, and it will likely meet a similar fate.

"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1"

"Breaking Dawn" will likely take second place as outlined.

"Hugo"

One of the major problems "Hugo" faces is its limited release. Performing amazingly well either because of or in spite of its rarity, Hugo took in more per theater than "The Muppets." A strong contender, "Hugo" will likely fare better this weekend thanks to spirited word-of-mouth advertising through the social networks.

"Arthur Christmas"

Providing a fun romp through the secret world of the North Pole, Aardman's CG-animated "Arthur Christmas" seems destined to remain on the list. Given the family environment that begins around Thanksgiving and lasts through Christmas, it will probably be a hit. Those who did not want to venture out over opening weekend for a kid's movie might finally make it around.

"Happy Feet Two"

"Happy Feet" managed to do surprising well, scoring third place over Thanksgiving. Given its status as a sequel, it is unlikely to remain at the top for long but will probably survive at least one more weekend in the top five due to its family-friendly nature.

Joseph Irvine of Madison, Ala., is providing remote contracting services to ClearPlay out of Salt Lake City.