Based on the way things are set up this weekend, Hollywood desperately wants a major holiday weekend at the box office long before summer rolls around. With Valentine's Day falling on a Thursday this year (and President's Day on Monday), studios used this as a good time to drop several new movies in theaters, giving us the year's first big, competitive weekend. Lots to get through so let's take a closer look ...
What's the Scoop: Bruce Willis returns for this fifth outing as John McClane, a New York City cop who unfortunately keeps finding himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. This time he's in Russia and teaming up with his estranged son (Jai Courtney) to help prevent a nuclear-weapons heist.
Why It Might Win the Weekend: Admit it, we're all suckers for a new Die Hard movie. The original is one of all-time greatest action movies, and we can't help but want to devour each new installment Bruce Willis throws at us.
What's the Scoop: Valentine's lovers looking to extend the holiday into the weekend will find plenty of romance in Safe Haven, based on a Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook) novel about a young woman (Julianne Hough) with a mysterious past who falls for a widower (Josh Duhamel) and is forced to reveal some pretty dark secrets.
Why It Might Win the Weekend: Because it's hot and sweaty and features two beautiful people making out right on the poster. Plus Nicholas Sparks movies tend to get a little frisky, which may be appealing to those itching to keep Valentine's Day going through the long weekend.
What's the Scoop: Based on the popular YA series, Beautiful Creatures follows a pair of Southern lovers who discover deep, haunting (witch-related) secrets about their respective families.
Why It Might Win the Weekend: With the potential to be a new Twilight (only better), we can definitely see the younger kids flocking to theaters to see how this one plays out.
What's the Scoop: A beloved astronaut for the blue alien population finds himself in trouble when he responds to an SOS call for a dangerous alien planet.
Why It Might Win the Weekend: Yes kids, there's something for you too! Everyone who isn't watching John McClane hunt bad guys or steamy, complicated big-screen romance will want to take their little ones to this geeky animated flick.
My Prediction: As a New Yorker, it's impossible for me to bet against John McClane. I'm going with A Good Day to Die Hard for the win.
My Pick of the Week: With a solid cast and an intriguing story, I say you give Beautiful Creatures a shot this weekend. You might be surprised by how much you dig it.
Alright folks, now it's your turn -- what are you seeing this weekend, and which movie do you think will win the weekend?
