September closes as two Sony pictures vie for the top spot along with a teacher’s drama.

This week will come down to three very different films. “Hotel Transylvania” will likely take the top spot. The only recent offering for families this month has been “Finding Nemo 3D”, so this is the first new family film in a while. This film has an all-star voice cast with singers Selena Gomez and Cee Lo Green, comedians Andy Samberg, Kevin James, David Spade, Fran Drescher, Molly Shannon and Adam Sandler. But, with Tim Burton’s “Frankenweenie” coming out next week, one has to wonder if families will simply wait for that one.

Opening weekend: $24-26 million

Total box office gross: $80-85 million

The film’s main competition will come from the sci fi film “Looper” starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis. The film has been getting solid reviews and has two pretty big actors. So, it would seem like a slam dunk right? Except, JGL’s last film, “Premium Rush” tanked and Willis’ last sci fi film was…”Surrogates”. This will draw the young male crowd, but I doubt it will be able to expand its audience much past that. It too may have trouble holding up next week as “Taken 2” will hit theaters.

Opening weekend: $17-19 million

Total box office gross: $50-55 million

The final new film getting a wide release is “Won’t Back Down” starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis. The film will resonate with some, especially with the Chicago teacher’s strike recently ending. But, this film will struggle to find an audience. The lack of advance showings to try and build up buzz is worrisome. And, “Freedom Writers”, a similar film tanked way back in 2007.

Opening weekend: $7-9 million

Total box office gross: $20-25 million

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.