Weekend Predictions: 'Contraband,' 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'Joyful Noise' and 'The Iron Lady'

Mark Wahlberg's latest action flick should emerge triumphant at the box office during the extended holiday frame.

Contraband will serve as the perfect bit of counter-programming to all the weighty Oscar flicks that dominate theaters this time of year. Mark Wahlberg's drawing power is in good shape after the triumph of The Fighter in 2010. This one can't miss.

On Facebook, Contraband is far outpacing The Mechanic and The Town. Twitter activity is also very healthy. Subscribe to Boxoffice Pro for full Facebook and Twitter tracking.

As of 4 p.m. PT, Fandango reports that Contraband accounts for 6% of daily sales.

Contraband looks poised for a $21.5 million debut from 2,750 locations over four days.

Disney hopes to repeat the success of The Lion King 3D with Beauty and the Beast 3D. Unfortunately, B&B 3D trails King on Facebook and Twitter. The disconnect in online enthusiasm does not bode well.

Fandango reports that B&B 3D leads daily sales with 18%.

Beauty and the Beast 3D should take in $17.5 million from around 2,500 locations over the 4-day frame.

With an ethnically diverse cast on its side, Joyful Noise could turn into a breakout hit. Queen Latifah brings along a loyal audience.

Look for Joyful Noise to take in $15.5 million from more than 2,700 locations. 

The Iron Lady will be pushed along by Oscar buzz surrounding Meryl Streep's lead performance. Streep has earned an almost-unmatched level of mainstream trust over the years. $5 million this coming weekly is likely thanks to an expansion to 700+ locations.

Check out the rest of our 4-day predictions in the table below.

Additional reporting by Daniel Garris and Alex Edghill.