Box Office Preview: No doubt about ‘No Strings’

Paramount’s romantic comedy “No Strings Attached,” starring Ashton Kutcher and awards darling Natalie Portman, will no doubt connect with audiences and debut on top this weekend, with domestic grosses anticipated to be in the $22 million to $25 million range.

Powering its popularity will be the red-hot Portman, with her “Black Swan” nearing $100 million at the box office and her Golden Globe win last Sunday for the film’s leading role. Add to that an alluring marketing campaign that clearly asks the question, “Can best friends, be sex friends?,” and this R-rated romp should offer a solid attraction for the date and female crowd. It’s also worth noting that romantic comedies released in January have tended to do well in recent years.