Box Office Discussion

A general comment after reading the past several pages...

It's all about marketing, marketing, marketing...

The BFG was a great film. I had to travel 50 miles to a second run theater to watch it last week, but it was extremely well-done and was given a proper cinema treatment (I am a big fan of the book). The theater had its share of patrons, most of whom were younger children (think the target audience age for the book). I do hope it does better on DVD, and I could see it being tied in with the book more when it goes to marketing, much like the other Roald Dahl movies have.

The trouble here was that it wasn't marketed because it was, for lack of a better term, too good. Take Secret Life of Pets as an example here. The movie looks like another wretched, loud, obnoxious feature. They've been marketing it for over a year even though the film itself looks pretty horrid. Since everyone has it in their heads and kids have been seeing these silly looking animals for a while now, they all want to go and see it. They don't care about a far superior film across the hallway with better production values and a great storyline, one which isn't filled with cheap humor and cheesy jokes. Even if they know of the book, it's not something that was marketed a ton--especially on TV.
 
Pete's Dragon to barely make 7 million today for a 21 million weekend.

Disney's third boxoffice flop of the summer.

Ouch!
They're cranking out too many movies...
The "every other smash/flop" model is wheel spinning.

Disney movies are always about longevity and product...as in for generation(s)...it's worked since 1928...now a pack of studio yutzes are overthrowing it just like they did with the bad VHS releases in the 90's...

Need some equilibrium again...maybe not 3 remakes and 3 marvel movies every calendar year, no?

...this is the part where I call for new, creative executives again...isn't it?

Throw another shrimp on the Bar-B...
 
(3) Still a long ways to go...but Finding Dory continues to trend well in UK and Japan. In the UK, it has already made more than Zootopia. It is tracking very similar to Finding Nemo, which made 30 million more from this point in the cycle on. I would expect less from Finding Dory due to competition, but still expect between 10 to 20 million more there. In Japan, it is well ahead of the pace Zootopia had and very similar to the pace of Finding Nemo. I just can't imagine it can have the same legs that Finding Nemo had in the UK, it made an additional 55 million in the UK AFTER 4 weeks. Zootopia made 26 million after 4 weeks, and Finding Dory still is ahead per week vs Zootopia (Zootopia made 6.4 million, Finding Dory made 10.3 million) so I would expect something similar in Japan from Finding Dory, maybe around 30 million more. 11 countries still to be released in, and at 900 million currently.

(1) Jungle Book made around 6 million in Japan for the first weekend. That is ahead of Zootopia's opening weekend by a good bit, and just behind Finding Dory. Zootopia made 70 million, and Finding Dory made 41 million after just 4 weeks (week 5 numbers for Japan haven't been released yet). it currently sits at 947.5 million, so it would need 52 million more from Japan which seems right around par. Will be close

(2) Jungle Book Domestically is just $81,236 shy of Deadpool as of Sunday. It will pass Deadpool before the weekend.

I think you're being way more "optimistic" than realistic on your estimates...

Disneys recent hits are underperforming internationally and overperforming domestically...it's an interesting trend I'm sure they are watching/concerned about.

For a studio with such mega hits...things are far from ideal for them. Can't sell Star Wars very well overseas...perhaps the sequel machine is getting too much use...and they have had some really high profile bombs too...

No way dory crosses $950...just don't see it. The overseas numbers have not been impressive at all...just like the force awakens (that's based on comparisons to recent blockbusters...which do much better than 55/45 US to International splits)

...still a smashing success...but what Igers cheap suits are probably saying?

"Why don't the Chinese love it? That's where our future is!!!!!"

...I'm on partially joking...a very small part - sadly.
 
They're cranking out too many movies...
The "every other smash/flop" model is wheel spinning.

Disney movies are always about longevity and product...as in for generation(s)...it's worked since 1928...now a pack of studio yutzes are overthrowing it just like they did with the bad VHS releases in the 90's...

Need some equilibrium again...maybe not 3 remakes and 3 marvel movies every calendar year, no?

...this is the part where I call for new, creative executives again...isn't it?

Throw another shrimp on the Bar-B...

Drunk with the power of CG to overcome bad scripts ... bad direction ... bad music ... bad casting ...

CG is the new Mack Sennett.
 

Jungle Book has now officially passed Deadpool Domestically, giving Disney now the top 3 films in 2016 (and currently 4 of the top 5). Secret Life of Pets will pass Zootopia Domestically tomorrow, and likely pass Jungle Book in the near future. Captain America MIGHT be safe. So Disney will have 4 of the top 6 films Domestically.

Right now it looks pretty safe that with movies out now that Disney will hold the top 4 films Worldwide. But there a few movies that would like to change that current ranking before the end of the 2016.
 
Jungle Book has now officially passed Deadpool Domestically, giving Disney now the top 3 films in 2016 (and currently 4 of the top 5). Secret Life of Pets will pass Zootopia Domestically tomorrow, and likely pass Jungle Book in the near future. Captain America MIGHT be safe. So Disney will have 4 of the top 6 films Domestically.

Right now it looks pretty safe that with movies out now that Disney will hold the top 4 films Worldwide. But there a few movies that would like to change that current ranking before the end of the 2016.

No doubt an impressive display of saturation...

I wish they could control themselves and forgoe the bombs though...that's worrisome.

I'm worried about moana and rogue one...I like the look of both but I dont think either will have a mass translation.

Especially rogue one...they need a good standalone...after last year's unacknowledged reboot they have to show they can do a new generation movie with some legs on its own.

The rumors and trailers are not encouraging...it looks like they might be forcing it too much...caught between hero stories and political statements...

When all they need to do are hero stories that deal with the basic human condition in a somewhat believeable manner.

Yes...I'm giving mark hammil more credit than I ever thought I would...
 
I wish they could control themselves and forgoe the bombs though...that's worrisome.

Why do you wish this? So they don't loose any money? What exactly are you worried about?

What would your reaction be if Disney slashed the movie budget/business in half?

I am guilty of not supporting some of the movies they make (and many other studios of course), but have to admit really like the idea of some of these "bombs" being out there to watch one day.

Actually looking forward to BFG and Pete's on a winters night coming up. Do you really wish they had never been made?

I actually watched J Carter years later, yea I see why it bombed but had some entertaining value for us that night, same with Tomorrowland-very entertained even though it trailed off at the end.

It's just more choices IMO, and the overall profit for the studio appears pretty good.

Shawshank was a bomb, watch some or all it every time its on. When it premiered on September 23, 1994, "The Shawshank Redemption" barely registered at the box office, coming in 9th.

Not saying these movies are Shawshank, but some bombs are pretty entertaining later.
 
Shawshank didn't cost $200 mil to make...

And the answer to you're question...it's because I don't want the public response to Disney movies to ever be: "Ahhhh...it's Disney...you never know what you'll get..."

...like they get for some of their new and "excitingly $100 mil rides these days...

So I'm advocating quality...just like the last 3,500 days in a row.

It was a nicely laid trap...but it snapped empty yet again.
 
Especially rogue one...they need a good standalone...after last year's unacknowledged reboot they have to show they can do a new generation movie with some legs on its own.

The rumors and trailers are not encouraging...it looks like they might be forcing it too much...

This is harder because of the amazing Franchise I admit.

I know what your saying, a possible negative effect on the series and all.

For me-can't wait. It's like lost footage of Chris Farley-just gonna watch no matter what. If its so so, will have zero effect on the series for me, at least compared to not watching it.

In a way you are on the board of control. Would you prefer they pull the plug on it? Not risk it?

Regardless, why not just skip going to it?
 
Shawshank didn't cost $200 mil to make...

And the answer to you're question...it's because I don't want the public response to Disney movies to ever be: "Ahhhh...it's Disney...you never know what you'll get..."

...like they get for some of their new and "excitingly $100 mil rides these days...

So I'm advocating quality...just like the last 3,500 days in a row.

It was a nicely laid trap...but it snapped empty yet again.

Makes sense, so you are worried about the reputation (do you think the current Disney movie reputation is bad?), but do you wish BFG and Pete's had not been made?
 
Why do you wish this? So they don't loose any money? What exactly are you worried about?

What would your reaction be if Disney slashed the movie budget/business in half?

I am guilty of not supporting some of the movies they make (and many other studios of course), but have to admit really like the idea of some of these "bombs" being out there to watch one day.

Actually looking forward to BFG and Pete's on a winters night coming up. Do you really wish they had never been made?

I actually watched J Carter years later, yea I see why it bombed but had some entertaining value for us that night, same with Tomorrowland-very entertained even though it trailed off at the end.

It's just more choices IMO, and the overall profit for the studio appears pretty good.

Shawshank was a bomb, watch some or all it every time its on. When it premiered on September 23, 1994, "The Shawshank Redemption" barely registered at the box office, coming in 9th.

Not saying these movies are Shawshank, but some bombs are pretty entertaining later.
Let's be clear -- that is an OPINION that these other Disney movies were bombs. Take a movie like the Good Dinosuar which is doing extremely well in DVD and Blu-ray sales as well merchandise numbers, and was more successful outside the US then it did here (still didn't do great worldwide, but did make over 200 million outside the US). Overall that movie has been profitable for Disney. Pete's Dragon only has a 65 million dollar production budget - it will likely make more than that domestically. The only Disney movie to get poor reviews from critics and moviegoers has been Alice through the looking glass, but even that movie has had a better international run then domestic (over 70% of it's profits to date). Every one of these movies is making the company movie, and since they are also very well reviewed, it is also only making Disney's movie business that more respected. So it doesn't break every record with every movie...the record it has with how well received the movies are, how well they are selling on dvd and blu-ray, and how much they still make despite LOL claiming they are flops is pretty amazing. When you compare other studios flops to Disney's, Disney's are more well received. The only ones that could really be argued as Flops are Alice (except it is making money due to international) and BFG (but it is well reviewed and likely to have good blu-ray and dvd sales).
 
Let's be clear -- that is an OPINION that these other Disney movies were bombs. Take a movie like the Good Dinosuar which is doing extremely well in DVD and Blu-ray sales as well merchandise numbers, and was more successful outside the US then it did here (still didn't do great worldwide, but did make over 200 million outside the US). Overall that movie has been profitable for Disney. Pete's Dragon only has a 65 million dollar production budget - it will likely make more than that domestically. The only Disney movie to get poor reviews from critics and moviegoers has been Alice through the looking glass, but even that movie has had a better international run then domestic (over 70% of it's profits to date). Every one of these movies is making the company movie, and since they are also very well reviewed, it is also only making Disney's movie business that more respected. So it doesn't break every record with every movie...the record it has with how well received the movies are, how well they are selling on dvd and blu-ray, and how much they still make despite LOL claiming they are flops is pretty amazing. When you compare other studios flops to Disney's, Disney's are more well received. The only ones that could really be argued as Flops are Alice (except it is making money due to international) and BFG (but it is well reviewed and likely to have good blu-ray and dvd sales).

Well that's my point really. Shawshank was a "financial" and movie release bomb-the cost is irrelevant though (although it would cost much more today). There are "opinion/financial/release bombs" that are wonderful to have available in our "entertainment" lives......IMO.
 
Makes sense, so you are worried about the reputation (do you think the current Disney movie reputation is bad?), but do you wish BFG and Pete's had not been made?

Did Pete bomb? I hadn't heard but it was heading that way...

No...I don't wish they wouldn't have made those movies (maybe the Alice sequel though...)

I just wish they weren't compacting the schedule so much on Igers "last ride retirement tour/stock push"
 
Let's be clear -- that is an OPINION that these other Disney movies were bombs. Take a movie like the Good Dinosuar which is doing extremely well in DVD and Blu-ray sales as well merchandise numbers, and was more successful outside the US then it did here (still didn't do great worldwide, but did make over 200 million outside the US). Overall that movie has been profitable for Disney. Pete's Dragon only has a 65 million dollar production budget - it will likely make more than that domestically. The only Disney movie to get poor reviews from critics and moviegoers has been Alice through the looking glass, but even that movie has had a better international run then domestic (over 70% of it's profits to date). Every one of these movies is making the company movie, and since they are also very well reviewed, it is also only making Disney's movie business that more respected. So it doesn't break every record with every movie...the record it has with how well received the movies are, how well they are selling on dvd and blu-ray, and how much they still make despite LOL claiming they are flops is pretty amazing. When you compare other studios flops to Disney's, Disney's are more well received. The only ones that could really be argued as Flops are Alice (except it is making money due to international) and BFG (but it is well reviewed and likely to have good blu-ray and dvd sales).

Alice lost more than $100M - that is a flop. Total WW Box office $292M (Disney would get anywhere from 36%-50% TOPS of this revenue). Total Production Budget ALONE $170M. No DVD sales and ancillary toys (which didn't sell) rescued this dud - it's okay to say Disney's had some duds. Their summer, save Dory and Cap (if he counts as summer and not their juggernaut spring:)), has ended up being all duds (Alice, BFG, Pete). They didn't make good decisions on the timing of their releases or their summer material (Pete's was too close to Jungle Book - with Jungle Book still in 2nd runs, you could see a boy with a CGI animal anytime you wanted for $2/ticket - why pay $13/ticket for same? - Disney had to either pull Jungle Book out of theaters 3-4 weeks earlier or push Pete's to a later date or better, never make 2 movies of the same simple type in the same year.) (BFG was 2 weeks after Dory and one week before Pets, which people were jonesing for - who decided on that timing, since parents aren't known to take kids to movies every weekend?)

They made great spring decisions and the fall looks good...but they risk remaking all their animated movies as originals and having them be stale. Beauty will be fine...but Little Mermaid? That will cost a fortune to try to film live action...it's not knowing how to pick the best and focus on the best that hurts them.
 
Did Pete bomb? I hadn't heard but it was heading that way...

No...I don't wish they wouldn't have made those movies (maybe the Alice sequel though...)

I just wish they weren't compacting the schedule so much on Igers "last ride retirement tour/stock push"

Ahhh.
 
Alice lost more than $100M - that is a flop. Total WW Box office $292M (Disney would get anywhere from 36%-50% TOPS of this revenue). Total Production Budget ALONE $170M. No DVD sales and ancillary toys (which didn't sell) rescued this dud - it's okay to say Disney's had some duds. Their summer, save Dory and Cap (if he counts as summer and not their juggernaut spring:)), has ended up being all duds (Alice, BFG, Pete). They didn't make good decisions on the timing of their releases or their summer material (Pete's was too close to Jungle Book - with Jungle Book still in 2nd runs, you could see a boy with a CGI animal anytime you wanted for $2/ticket - why pay $13/ticket for same? - Disney had to either pull Jungle Book out of theaters 3-4 weeks earlier or push Pete's to a later date or better, never make 2 movies of the same simple type in the same year.) (BFG was 2 weeks after Dory and one week before Pets, which people were jonesing for - who decided on that timing, since parents aren't known to take kids to movies every weekend?)

They made great spring decisions and the fall looks good...but they risk remaking all their animated movies as originals and having them be stale. Beauty will be fine...but Little Mermaid? That will cost a fortune to try to film live action...it's not knowing how to pick the best and focus on the best that hurts them.


J Book did great, but I suspect I will like BFG and Pete's better-purely opinion and a guess of course, will find out soon.

Really had a hard time with Mowgli of all things (the only real character) which is mean since he had to act on green screens. Just wasn't believable for us anyway. Otherwise very good and great CGI characters.

But even if JB bombed-certainly would't care that it was made. Be a nice movie to enjoy in the future.
 
Alice lost more than $100M - that is a flop. Total WW Box office $292M (Disney would get anywhere from 36%-50% TOPS of this revenue). Total Production Budget ALONE $170M. No DVD sales and ancillary toys (which didn't sell) rescued this dud - it's okay to say Disney's had some duds. Their summer, save Dory and Cap (if he counts as summer and not their juggernaut spring:)), has ended up being all duds (Alice, BFG, Pete). They didn't make good decisions on the timing of their releases or their summer material (Pete's was too close to Jungle Book - with Jungle Book still in 2nd runs, you could see a boy with a CGI animal anytime you wanted for $2/ticket - why pay $13/ticket for same? - Disney had to either pull Jungle Book out of theaters 3-4 weeks earlier or push Pete's to a later date or better, never make 2 movies of the same simple type in the same year.) (BFG was 2 weeks after Dory and one week before Pets, which people were jonesing for - who decided on that timing, since parents aren't known to take kids to movies every weekend?)

They made great spring decisions and the fall looks good...but they risk remaking all their animated movies as originals and having them be stale. Beauty will be fine...but Little Mermaid? That will cost a fortune to try to film live action...it's not knowing how to pick the best and focus on the best that hurts them.

Agreed...

Like it or not...somethings are duds and can't be saved with "DVDs"

Are people still buying those, anyway?

They'll be gone in 5 years.

Besides...the goal of these movies are to provide tent poles that can be built around...product...licensing...guaranteed profitable sequels...

The goal is not to barely cover the cost so it isn't a write down.

They've had some huge successes and huge flops in the last 18 months...

Are the bigger and better as a studio/brand now? Hard to say overall.

And I think even they were shocked by zootopia and jungle book.
 
J Book did great, but I suspect I will like BFG and Pete's better-purely opinion and a guess of course, will find out soon.

Really had a hard time with Mowgli of all things (the only real character) which is mean since he had to act on green screens. Just wasn't believable for us anyway. Otherwise very good and great CGI characters.

But even if JB bombed-certainly would't care that it was made. Be a nice movie to enjoy in the future.

Honestly...I liked the Alice sequel better than jungle book.

I can't believe it did as well as it did.
 
This is harder because of the amazing Franchise I admit.

I know what your saying, a possible negative effect on the series and all.

For me-can't wait. It's like lost footage of Chris Farley-just gonna watch no matter what. If its so so, will have zero effect on the series for me, at least compared to not watching it.

In a way you are on the board of control. Would you prefer they pull the plug on it? Not risk it?

Regardless, why not just skip going to it?

Let me ask you...
Are you a 40 ish American male?

Cause I tell you what - if you were standing next to one...he'd smack you right about now.

Is that a serious question?
 
Let me ask you...
Are you a 40 ish American male?

Cause I tell you what - if you were standing next to one...he'd smack you right about now.

Is that a serious question?

Soo....you would pull the plug and not risk it.
 












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