BOX OFFICE BUZZ WEEKEND BOX OFFICE CAN SUIT ANY TASTE.

Byline: GREG HERNANDEZ

OK, let's say you're going to the movies on Saturday night and have already seen "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" and "Transformers."

What are your options?

It just so happens that the offerings are about as varied as any weekend so far this summer. You've got a musical ("Hairspray"), an Adam Sandler comedy ("I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry") and sneak previews of the romantic comedy "No Reservations."

POTTER'S POWER: So can Harry Potter maintain first place at the box office with all this competition? The fifth film in the franchise has made more than $160 million in less than two weeks and is still having $10 million weekday grosses.

A drop of even 50 percent from last weekend's $77 million take would give the film a $38 million haul, which could be enough to retain supremacy if neither of the two new wide releases break out.

BIG HAIR DAY? New Line Cinema is releasing its big musical "Hairspray" in 3,000 theaters with the hope that it has a hit like "Chicago" or "DreamGirls" on its hands and not a flop like "Rent" or "The Producers."

The film, based on a hit stage musical that was based on a 1988 film, has enjoyed mostly positive reviews and certainly has a big-name cast including John Travolta, Queen Latifah and Michelle Pfeiffer. It's getting a wide release instead of the slow rollout that "Chicago" and "DreamGirls" enjoyed, and, with a summer release date, the studio is confident in its chances.

I've seen it. Loved it. But will the rest of America? I think they will to the tune of about $25 million -- maybe more. But I must remind you: Only four musicals have made more than $100 million at the domestic box office, with the all-time leader being "Grease" at $188.4 million.

SANDLER'S STREAK: It's summer so that must mean it's time for another Adam Sandler comedy. The funnyman's streak of hits during the warmer months includes last year's "Click" as well as 2005's "The Longest Yard," 2003's "Anger Management," 2002's "Mr. Deeds" and 1999's "Big Daddy."

But will his new comedy, "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry," keep the streak alive? He and Kevin James play a pair of straight firefighters who pretend to be a couple to get domestic-partner benefits.

The movie could be a tougher sell than some of Sandler's other comedies. Will his young male audience be turned off by the subject matter? Will gay audiences consider it homophobic? I think there will be enough interest in the movie for it to have at least a $35 million opening.

APPETIZER: Warner Bros. wants to generate buzz for its Aaron Eckhart-Catherine Zeta-Jones comedy "No Reservations," also starring 2007 Oscar nominee Abigail Breslin, with a sneak peak at 500 theaters Saturday before next weekend's opening.

SUMMER STANDINGS: $300 million-plus: "Spider-Man3," "Shrek the Third" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End." $150 million-plus: "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" and "Ratatouille." $100 million-plus: "Knocked Up," "Ocean's Thirteen," "Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer" and "Live Free or Die Hard."

greg.hernandez(at)dailynews.com

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