‘80s properties ‘The Karate Kid’ and ‘The A-Team’ to battle at the box office

Two beloved properties from the ‘80s will be duking it out for No. 1 at the box office this weekend.

Sony Pictures’ remake of “The Karate Kid” and 20th Century Fox’s big-screen adaptation of the 1980s television show “The A-Team” are both poised to sell between $30 million and $35 million in tickets at the box office this weekend, according to people who have seen pre-release polling results.

The movies are likely to attract distinctly different audiences.

The action-heavy, PG-13-rated “A-Team” is tracking best with teenage boys and men, while the PG “Karate Kid” is more of a draw for families with children of both genders, as well as women.

Given their different target audiences, “A-Team” is more likely to win the box office race Friday, while “Karate Kid” could pull ahead Saturday and Sunday, when families turn out for matinees.

But “Karate Kid” could be in much better shape financially. Sony spent about $40 million on the reboot starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. “The A-Team,” which stars Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper and Jessica Biel, cost Fox and its partner Dune Entertainment $110 million, although tax credits brought the final budget down to about $100 million.

In addition, family movies tend to play much longer in theaters than action films, which can drop off quickly. Both pictures have received mixed reviews, so there’s no indication yet which will get better audience word of mouth.

Some studio executives are worried that both films will perform below expectations, however, given that several recent releases, including Disney’s costly period picture “Prince of Persia,” have had weak openings. The first five weekends of the summer movie season have been a disappointment to Hollywood because domestic ticket sales revenue is down 4% from the same period a year ago and attendance is off 10%.

Neither “The Karate Kid” nor “The A-Team” is opening in many major overseas markets this weekend. Most studios are holding back their international releases until after soccer’s World Cup, which begins Friday and ends in early July.

Two movies that opened last weekend are hoping for good holds after decent but not spectacular starts. “Get Him to the Greek” has continued to lead “Killers” in weekday grosses after edging it out when both comedies opened simultaneously.

Both movies are still lagging behind “Shrek Forever After,” which despite a disappointing first weekend has continued to hang in. This weekend the animated sequel is likely to pass $200 million in domestic ticket sales.

ben.fritz@latimes.com