Here's How Much Money New Ghostbusters Movie Could Make for Its Opening

Sony's new Ghostbusters movie could make around $40 million-$50 million for its opening weekend next month, according to box office tracking estimates.

The Hollywood Reporter notes, however, that Sony has yet to launch its "biggest and final marketing push" for the film. It opens on July 15. Ghostbusters, which features an all-female main cast, had a production budget of $154 million, according to the report.

Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones play the lead roles. The 1984 original saw Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Harold Ramis play the Ghostbusters.

According to the tracking estimates, women over the age of 25 are "by far" the most interested in seeing Ghostbusters. As THR explains, however, Sony still has time to try to drum up interest from men and younger women, among other age groups.

Sony has caught some amount of flak over Ghostbusters. Recently, Tom Rothman, who oversees all of Sony Pictures' movie business, was asked broadly about what impact he thinks the "online bashing" will have on the upcoming film. He was, suffice it to say, not too worried about it.

"It's the greatest thing that ever happened. Are you kidding me?" he said. "We're in the national debate, thank you. Can we please get some more haters to say stupid things?"

Just this week, Sony released the new theme song for Ghostbusters performed by Fall Out Boy featuring Missy Elliott. It left us wanting to listen to the original instead.

If Ghostbusters can make $40 million for its opening, it would become the best start ever for director Paul Feig. His 2013 comedy The Heat, starring McCarthy and Sandra Bullock, is to date his best opening ever, making $39.1 million for its debut.

Of course, Ghostbusters is something of different animal. It is a well-established brand with a huge built-in audience. The movie also cost a lot more to make than Feig's other movies.

A new Ghostbusters game (starring new characters, not those in the movie) from Activision debuts just before the movie's release for $50. A special $65 version of the game will also be available that comes with a digital copy of the movie.