What is up with Frozen?!

[Yellowstonetim]

~Frozen performed exceptionally well under some stiff competition from 'Catching Fire' and The Hobbit 2! Frozen even stole first place from the Hunger Games for a week! The movie has only been out for just over a month and has already snagged two Golden Globe nominations for Best Animated Feature Film &
Best Original Song! Plus, the film has already won at least a dozen award from the smaller film organizations. Oscar nods are on their way!

~So far Frozen has grossed $500 million worldwide ($250 domestic) and still going strong. It's number 2 this week at the box office with just a million in difference behind The Hobbit 2! Not bad for an animation in it's sixth week!

~Anyway, I really thought I was going to be underwhelmed with Frozen, but it was the opposite for me. And, I just *love* Olaf -- that little snowman has so much swagger! He's adorable! But yeah, I loved the movie. We saw it twice and recommend seeing it in 3D! It's so beautiful.

And from Boxofficemojo.com today (Emphasis mine):

"Disney Animation's Frozen continues to exceed even the most optimistic expectations. The animated sensation increased 47 percent to $28.8 million; among fifth weekends, that figure ranks third all-time behind Avatar ($42.8 million) and Titanic ($30 million). The movie is benefiting not only from great word-of-mouth, but also from a void of legitimate family entertainment."

http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3767&p=.htm

It is now assured that it will close with over $300 million domestic and will probably exceed $600 million worldwide.

Not the worst movie ever.

 

[crazy4wdw]

From the Hollywood Reporter:

Box-Office Milestone: 'Frozen' Crosses $500 Million Worldwide
11:30 AM PST 12/30/2013 by Rebecca Ford, Pamela McClintock

The animated musical is Disney's fourth film to reach the milestone and was the biggest surprise of the Christmas season, considering it is more than a month into its run.

Disney's Thanksgiving entry Frozen has warmed its way to $500 million at the worldwide box office following a spectacular showing at the Christmas box office, where it nearly upset The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug over the weekend.

The Disney Animation Studios title -- which has earned roughly $250 million both domestically and internationally -- is Disney's fourth film to reach the milestone, joining Marvel pics Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World and Pixar's animated prequel Monsters University. Domestically, it is the studio's most successful animated film in North American after The Lion King ($422.8 million).

The Golden Globe-nominated film opened wide in North America on Nov. 27 to earn $93.6 million for the five-day holiday debut, setting a new record for the largest Thanksgiving debut in history. It was also the largest opening ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film.

Starring the voices of Kristen Bell, Josh Gad, Idina Menzel and Jonathan Groff, Frozen turned in a dazzling performance at the Christmas box office in the biggest surprise of the crowded holiday season. Over the post-Christmas weekend, Frozen grossed $28.7 million, just shy of the $29 million earned by Desolation of Smaug, which opened mid-December. Its staying power is a testament to the fortunes a family pic can enjoy when there is little competition.

Internationally, Frozen became the biggest Walt Disney Animation Studios release of all time in the U.K./Ireland Monday. The film has yet to be released in several territories including China, Brazil, Argentina, Korea and Japan.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Disney has found a niche with this new "older" princess genre. I honestly don't know why anyone didnt think this would rake...as long as it had a decent story and characters.

Tangled looked DOA...story rewrites and turmoil. But it was fantastic and blew open a door that frozen has run through. Fairy tale without as much jar jar binks corny stupidity... Which makes sense because kids are just a tad older than they used to be.

I've said it before..."I see the light" was the best combination of animation and song in an animated movie since perhaps "a whole new world" or "circle of life"...honorable mention to "when she loved me" in TS2 and a couple of Tarzan songs...
It seemed to me to be a pivotal moment when a "new" formula clicked...not unlike "part of your world" or "under the sea"...

The question is whether or not they'll strangle it...a good movie of this type every 3 or so years can be another animation renaissance...if they don't go for the walmart too much.
Which is very important now that Pixar has seemed to lose steam and their sequels are...well...kinda meh

 

[pioneer89]

Disney has found a niche with this new "older" princess genre. I honestly don't know why anyone didnt think this would rake...as long as it had a decent story and characters.

Tangled looked DOA...story rewrites and turmoil. But it was fantastic and blew open a door that frozen has run through. Fairy tale without as much jar jar binks corny stupidity... Which makes sense because kids are just a tad older than they used to be.

I've said it before..."I see the light" was the best combination of animation and song in an animated movie since perhaps "a whole new world" or "circle of life"...honorable mention to "when she loved me" in TS2 and a couple of Tarzan songs...
It seemed to me to be a pivotal moment when a "new" formula clicked...not unlike "part of your world" or "under the sea"...

The question is whether or not they'll strangle it...a good movie of this type every 3 or so years can be another animation renaissance...if they don't go for the walmart too much.
Which is very important now that Pixar has seemed to lose steam and their sequels are...well...kinda meh

Fantastic post, thank you. I bolded the part that makes me scratch my head about the marketing for this movie. Every commercial I saw led me to believe this was going to be a 'cartoon' full of the snowman and the reindeer, and little else.

I was smitten from the start though. The opening sequence with the ice-cutters doesn't get mentioned much, but it gave me an immediate "This is not a cartoon, this is Disney Animation".

 

[The_Horned_King]

And from Boxofficemojo.com today (Emphasis mine):

"Disney Animation's Frozen continues to exceed even the most optimistic expectations. The animated sensation increased 47 percent to $28.8 million; among fifth weekends, that figure ranks third all-time behind Avatar ($42.8 million) and Titanic ($30 million). The movie is benefiting not only from great word-of-mouth, but also from a void of legitimate family entertainment."

http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3767&p=.htm

It is now assured that it will close with over $300 million domestic and will probably exceed $600 million worldwide.

Not the worst movie ever.

Yeah not sure where original poster was getting numbers or how long ago...but Frozen is making a killing.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Yeah not sure where original poster was getting numbers or how long ago...but Frozen is making a killing.

It seems the first week or 2 the movie was released to a limited number of theaters.......why?.I do not know, but now it is in full release and the number are excellent!

As is Saving Mr. Banks.

 

[ccvh]

The marketing was very smart, appealing to boys and downplaying the princess aspect. I can see how many are confused at the plot; maybe that's a good thing, to go into a movie blind to the plot info and be pleasantly surprised. But the biggest surprise to me was the WONDERFUL Mickey Mouse short before it...that was masterful! Best use of 3-D ever! I have thought about going to see the movie again just to see this short in the theatre in 3-D again. I think when the movie run is done, they should take this short and play it in the parks regularly. Maybe in place of Captain EO?

 

[Yellowstonetim]

At the time the OP posted this, Frozen was in wide release domestically, but was only out in a few countries. In fact, there are still several sizable markets where it hasn't opened yet.

I find it interesting that people didn't know what this movie was about. Of course, I am a big movie buff and Disney buff, so I knew what it was about weeks before.

When evaluating movies you have to remember 2 things:

1. A trailer is not designed to accurately represent exactly what the movie contains, it is designed to show you some aspect that will get your butt in the seat.

2. Trailers often contain things that aren't even in the movie or will show you the absolute best pieces.

To evaluate a movie watch all teasers and trailers and google the movie to see what it is about.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

At the time the OP posted this, Frozen was in wide release domestically, but was only out in a few countries. In fact, there are still several sizable markets where it hasn't opened yet.

I find it interesting that people didn't know what this movie was about. Of course, I am a big movie buff and Disney buff, so I knew what it was about weeks before.

When evaluating movies you have to remember 2 things:

1. A trailer is not designed to accurately represent exactly what the movie contains, it is designed to show you some aspect that will get your butt in the seat.

2. Trailers often contain things that aren't even in the movie or will show you the absolute best pieces.

To evaluate a movie watch all teasers and trailers and google the movie to see what it is about.

All true, but the last 3 weeks they have been adding theaters in the US and as you pointed out the foreign market EI last week they added 271 US theaters, which is why I pointed out it was not fully released.

Just a little information .

AKK

 

[Yellowstonetim]

All true, but the last 3 weeks they have been adding theaters in the US and as you pointed out the foreign market EI last week they added 271 US theaters, which is why I pointed out it was not fully released.

Just a little information .

AKK

Interesting, I didn't know that! Adding theaters after a wide release is unusual but was probably done because of the movie's success coupled with holiday viewing expectations.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Interesting, I didn't know that! Adding theaters after a wide release is unusual but was probably done because of the movie's success coupled with holiday viewing expectations.

That would be my guess as well!

Whatever the reason we are going to see it this weekend with the grandkids and had to buy tickets in advance.......even out here in the woods!

AKK

 

[Mrs.Malone]

We attended a sold out showing on Saturday night. The ticket taker said several showings of Frozen had sold out that day. It was an excellent film and we'll see it again.

 

[abinormal]

We loved it! It's absolutely stuck with me in the week since I saw it. I find myself watching clips and singing the songs and just thinking about the story, which is rare for me. It definitely has a place in my all time best list.

I scratched my head for a bit over the marketing but now I think it was a brilliant move. Risky but it paid off. It got people to go who probably would have written it off as a "girly" movie or been turned off by the musical aspects. I think they knew they had a winner and were willing to sell it short to get people in with no expectations.

And as someone who usually knows all about a movie before seeing it, it was nice going in knowing relatively little. So many nice surprises, and there are important thematic elements that wouldn't have the same impact if you knew they were coming.

The opening sequence with the ice-cutters doesn't get mentioned much, but it gave me an immediate "This is not a cartoon, this is Disney Animation".

This. I had goosebumps from the start. The whole thing takes the best parts of classic Disney yet still moves things forward and makes them fit today. I feel like it's a new, very good direction.

 

[princessmerida]

Best movie ever! I have seen it 5 times now!

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

And from Boxofficemojo.com today (Emphasis mine):

"Disney Animation's Frozen continues to exceed even the most optimistic expectations. The animated sensation increased 47 percent to $28.8 million; among fifth weekends, that figure ranks third all-time behind Avatar ($42.8 million) and Titanic ($30 million). The movie is benefiting not only from great word-of-mouth, but also from a void of legitimate family entertainment."

http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3767&p=.htm

It is now assured that it will close with over $300 million domestic and will probably exceed $600 million worldwide.

Not the worst movie ever.

~Great emphasis! The "great word of mouth" effect for Frozen is simply astonishing! I really think Disney's advertising for Frozen was weak. But, maybe I was wrong.

~My parents had never heard of Frozen until they heard my DD singing "Let It Go." My Mom thought it was such a beautiful song. She wanted to hear more of it, so I sent her this youtube video ~Frozen - Let It Go~ of Idina Menzel's version of the song and she "loved it." And, wanted to the see the movie! That's rare because my parents never go to the movies, so we all went together. Awww.

~Anyway, the youtube video has over 20 million views!

Disney has found a niche with this new "older" princess genre. I honestly don't know why anyone didnt think this would rake...as long as it had a decent story and characters.

Tangled looked DOA...story rewrites and turmoil. But it was fantastic and blew open a door that frozen has run through. Fairy tale without as much jar jar binks corny stupidity... Which makes sense because kids are just a tad older than they used to be.

I've said it before..."I see the light" was the best combination of animation and song in an animated movie since perhaps "a whole new world" or "circle of life"...honorable mention to "when she loved me" in TS2 and a couple of Tarzan songs...
It seemed to me to be a pivotal moment when a "new" formula clicked...not unlike "part of your world" or "under the sea"...

The question is whether or not they'll strangle it...a good movie of this type every 3 or so years can be another animation renaissance...if they don't go for the walmart too much.
Which is very important now that Pixar has seemed to lose steam and their sequels are...well...kinda meh

~Really. Well, I admit to having concerns because the snowman (Olaf) and the reindeer were constantly featured in the advertising. I thought the film was going to be mostly centered around them. It looked silly to me, but I'm glad I was wrong.

~So, Disney has covered Rapunzel, the Snow Queen and it's going to be all about Malificent for summer of 2014! It will be interesting to see who's next, in between Star Wars, Avatar and the Avengers, of course!

The marketing was very smart, appealing to boys and downplaying the princess aspect. I can see how many are confused at the plot; maybe that's a good thing, to go into a movie blind to the plot info and be pleasantly surprised. But the biggest surprise to me was the WONDERFUL Mickey Mouse short before it...that was masterful! Best use of 3-D ever! I have thought about going to see the movie again just to see this short in the theatre in 3-D again. I think when the movie run is done, they should take this short and play it in the parks regularly. Maybe in place of Captain EO?

~Great idea! I agree that Captain EO needs to go. But, I would love for this film to accommodate Pete's Silly Side Show in Fantasyland with some 4D effects! They just need to expand the tent to house the theater!

 

[Yellowstonetim]

The opening sequence with the ice-cutters doesn't get mentioned much, but it gave me an immediate "This is not a cartoon, this is Disney Animation".

Yes! This shows the attention to detail in so many ways, the animation of ice and water, the song, the animation of the workers, the boy and Sven. It sets up the quality to come.

The ice stands out more than the snow later, but if you watch it carefully, the animation work is outstanding. Snow, forest, water, the frozen breath. Attention to detail everywhere.

 

[Kasper1014]

I saw Frozen with my 19 DS, 15 DS and 14 DD and besides the previews, we had no other basis on what the movie was about.

The previews did not do the movie justice. We absolutely loved it!!!! And all three want to see it again, probably tomorrow.

 

[ilovemk76]

We went with another family and everybody, even the adult men, loved the movie. It was not what we expected it to be. It was way better. I love Olaf!

 

[Q-man]

Boy I'm starting to feel like I'm the only one who thought it was meh with no memorable scenes or songs.

Hopefully, I won't read any reviews before hand next time. It wasn't in the Lion King or Beauty and the Beast category, that reviewers put it in, for me.

The 3D Mickey cartoon was awesome though.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Boy I'm starting to feel like I'm the only one who thought it was meh with no memorable scenes or songs.

Hopefully, I won't read any reviews before hand next time. It wasn't in the Lion King or Beauty and the Beast category, that reviewers put it in, for me.

The 3D Mickey cartoon was awesome though.

I have that problem all the time. I become very excited for a movie and build it up so high in my mind that when I finally see it, it can't meet my sky-high expectations. I have to make myself dial back expectations and think about the many things that will not be perfect about a movie. Then I am not so disappointed.

I must say I read the reviews, followed everything about the movie, really got excited, and upon first viewing loved it very much, but was just slightly let down, because I had such high expectations. But when I thought about it after and then watched it a second time, I was back to thinking it was a fantastic movie and one of the best! Personally, I like it better than Lion King, but that is just me.

Watch it a second time and see if that changes things.