What's up with Disneys movie division?

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Look at a few statistics


$ 288,223,782 - 12 weeks -- UP

$ 107,315,000 - 5 weeks -- G Force

$ 8,140,000 - 2 weeks - Ponyo


$ 290,275,000 (and still going!) - 6 weeks - Harry Potter



We LOVED UP! Took sooooo many people to see it...it is absolutely charming.

I"m the first to admit other studios had real STINKY DOGS for movies too.

Harry Potter - what GREAT free advertising for a new section of US. I'm sure the US people are happy the Potter series continues to be on fire.


My question.....what happened to Disney's fool-proof storylines and annimation of the past?

 

[alexsdc2]

Looking at those stats I would say they did pretty good. Harry Potter has a much bigger following and fan base.

Up and G Force are definately more kid oriented. Up could be more towards the adult end as well but they don't market to the adults.

Ponyo is a Japanese movie that really didn't do too bad considering what it is. It is not there movie but an adaption.

You also missed some other movies that they have come out with which some did good others not so much...

Hannah Montana $152,900,286
Jonas Brothers $21,149,241
Race to Witch Mountain $106,303,988
Confessions of Shopaholic $108,332,743
Proposal $260,192,129
Earth $106,000,000

plus some soon to be released...

Christmas Carol
Princes and Frog
Old Dogs


Also looking at the movies posted I ma seeing these numbers

Up $399,340,879

Harry Potter $868,275,000

 

[Snowgod]

As movie theaters continue to raise prices for an experience that no longer exceeds what you can have at home, people are more likely to wait for the DVD and Blu-rays to come out. Watch UP take the sales lead on Nov. 10th along with the Blu-ray of Monsters Inc. I do not go to the Movies any more because I have 102 inch screen in my Home theater with 7.1 surround sound and an HD projector.

 

[Azree]

It doesn't help that "G-Force" was a terrible movie.

Word of mouth is spreading a lot faster these days via Twitter and Facebook, too. It doesn't take a few weeks to get around that a movie's junk, it only takes hours...

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I think that is what I am saying.

I'm not talking about profit - although I don't think there was tremendous profit in anything but UP. ....and the last two quarters have shown disney they cannot wait for DVD sales to make a movie profitable...DVD sales have tanked.

I'm talking about the GOOD Disney movies.

What happened to the GOOD movies that Disney produced.....with charming stories and state of the art annimation? Movies with heart.

We have a pixar movie that had all the charm and message of a Disney movie...but that's ..... one.

 

[tbranan]

I think that is what I am saying.

I'm not talking about profit - although I don't think there was tremendous profit in anything but UP. ....and the last two quarters have shown disney they cannot wait for DVD sales to make a movie profitable...DVD sales have tanked.

I'm talking about the GOOD Disney movies.

What happened to the GOOD movies that Disney produced.....with charming stories and state of the art annimation? Movies with heart.

We have a pixar movie that had all the charm and message of a Disney movie...but that's ..... one.

I am hoping The Princess and the Frog is a big hit. I love 2D animation and I think the life or death of that genre is hinged on the success of that film. If it tanks, we could be a computer animated world from now on........

 

[KidDurango]

Ponyo is a beautiful movie with a charming story. It is a very different style than American animated films but it is very good. I think you are also looking at Disney movies and not looking at the full picture. One could easily say the ask the same questions for many films this summer, ie. What happened to Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Johnny Depp, Julia Roberts? All of these actors were bankable stars who's films always did well, but this summer they have been huge disappointments. Some of the films were good, and some were dreck, but the audiences just weren't there.

 

[monkeyknuckler]

I wish Disney would drop the "Dead Mother" storylines. I guess its an easy way to create instant family troubles that can somehow get mended during a film. Hmmm... I wonder how long Princess Tiana's mom is gonna last

 

[lugnut33]

"Ponyo" rocked!! My whole family loved it. Now, if it had been "Ponyo Versus Harry Potter" I'm sure it would have made 500 million, but that wouldn't have made it better. Just attach the name Harry Potter to anything and people go crazy, just like "Star Wars". There were some real clunkers in the Star Wars genre, but that didn't stop them from making a deathstar load of money.

Disney has made it's share of clunkers. Heck, even "Fantasia" back in the day was a disaster and it took 40 years for it to finally become grand. Dont forget about the "Black Cauldron" or "Atlantis".

The animation studio has always had its up and downs. The last resurrection for Disney animation I believe came when they made "The Little Mermaid" similar to a musical play. That spawned a run of hits like "Beauty and the Beast", "Aladdin", and "The Lion King".

I'm not sure "The Frog Princess" will create a defining moment for the Disney Animation Studios.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

"Ponyo" rocked!! My whole family loved it. Now, if it had been "Ponyo Versus Harry Potter" I'm sure it would have made 500 million, but that wouldn't have made it better. Just attach the name Harry Potter to anything and people go crazy, just like "Star Wars". There were some real clunkers in the Star Wars genre, but that didn't stop them from making a deathstar load of money.

Disney has made it's share of clunkers. Heck, even "Fantasia" back in the day was a disaster and it took 40 years for it to finally become grand. Dont forget about the "Black Cauldron" or "Atlantis".

The animation studio has always had its up and downs. The last resurrection for Disney animation I believe came when they made "The Little Mermaid" similar to a musical play. That spawned a run of hits like "Beauty and the Beast", "Aladdin", and "The Lion King".

I'm not sure "The Frog Princess" will create a defining moment for the Disney Animation Studios.

That's IT - Lugnut!

We know Disney can make these unforgetable classics.....2 D or 3 D. I miss the age of Little Mermaid and Lion King, Snow White Sleeping Beauty.

Did you know Sleeping Beauty Castle was built in Disneyland and named....before they began working on the movie - interesting tidbit and off topic....sorry.

Anyway, I just miss when the Disney Company could stand tall....yet act as humble as they want because nobody else could tough what they were doing.

Heck - Beauty and the Beast was nominated for BEST PICTURE!!!

Ok, ok, wishful thinking I know.

 

[lugnut33]

I honestly believe so much of the success of "The Little Mermaid" can be attributed to song writers Howard Ashman and Alan Menkin. Their score was absolutely beautiful and lent so much to the story. And "Beauty and the Beast" is the best animated movie of all time if you want my opinion. I've seen it about a million times and I never tire of it.

You know, there have been some pretty decent movies put out by Disney Animation in the 2000's. I really like "Lilo and Stitch", "Chicken Little" and "Bolt". I also liked "Meet The Robinsons", but it wasn't a traditoinal 2d movie.

And there has always been competition in the animation industry. Merry Melodies really was the leader in short animation comedies back in the 40's and 50's. Heck, even Ub Iwerks went into business for himself before coming back to Disney. Right now, Dream Works is about the only one I can think of that rivals Disney, especially since Disney owns Pixar.

I really am glad that it appears Disney is letting John Lassiter have more and more control. I'd love to see him made CEO and get rid of Iger.

 

[Condorman]

That's so funny, to compare HP to anything that Disney does. HPATHBP was a stinker, by far one of the worst entries in the series, and on top of that it did poorly at the B.O. It should have done 2x its business had it been good, and WB knows it. The light has clearly faded from that franchise, and the seven year olds who were interested in it years ago have moved on to better things. HP couldn't even hold #1 for two weeks -- and yes, it was G-Force that beat it out that second week. The HP-land at IoA will also be a letdown, and I'll be laughing hysterically when Disney doesn't have to do a thing that opening weekend and the MK alone will still lure 5x the number of people that Universal gets.

Disney FTW!!!

 

[CoolTrainerTerry]

That's so funny, to compare HP to anything that Disney does. HPATHBP was a stinker, by far one of the worst entries in the series, and on top of that it did poorly at the B.O. It should have done 2x its business had it been good, and WB knows it. The light has clearly faded from that franchise, and the seven year olds who were interested in it years ago have moved on to better things. HP couldn't even hold #1 for two weeks -- and yes, it was G-Force that beat it out that second week. The HP-land at IoA will also be a letdown, and I'll be laughing hysterically when Disney doesn't have to do a thing that opening weekend and the MK alone will still lure 5x the number of people that Universal gets.

Disney FTW!!!

I don't think $290 million+ is poor at all, in fact, by the end of the week, it will pass the final gross of Order of the Phoenix and become the second highest entry of the franchise. There was no possible way Half-Blood Prince could pull in close to $600 million. Only Titanic has made it to that number. And again, money =/= quality. Just look at Transformers 2, it's pulling in over $400 million and it was terrible. As for HP-Land being a letdown, that won't happen. There are so many high expectations for this being a success, and really is the only thing that would detract people from a day at WDW. Harry Potter is not a passing fad. There is an entire fanbase that started with Potter when it came out and are now old enough to have children and are passing it on to them. The Potter books are some of the most well-written books of all time and warrent multiple readings for a lot of people. Bottome line: Half-Blood Prince did great at the box office (especially the foreign box office), and the franchise will be around for a very long time.

 

[gymnastgirlflips]

I think Harry Potter is still very popular as well. I actually thought that was my favorite movie so far, or I had a better attitude about it not exactly with the book or something hah. I actually heard that the are going to make a Harry Potter anime. I have no idea if that will really come true, but I bet lots of people will watch it just because it is Harry Potter. (if it's true)

And I agree the most of the best Disney movies were 2D animations. The classics are much greater than half the movies they have today. I love Pixar movies, and I did also enjoy movies like Bolt and Meet the Robinsons (great theme, I think. I sitll love it!) But the ones I never get tired of are the old ones that they put the most thought and detail into creating. A variety of different types of movies is always good anyways to please everyone.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I don't think $290 million+ is poor at all, in fact, by the end of the week, it will pass the final gross of Order of the Phoenix and become the second highest entry of the franchise. There was no possible way Half-Blood Prince could pull in close to $600 million. Only Titanic has made it to that number. And again, money =/= quality. Just look at Transformers 2, it's pulling in over $400 million and it was terrible. As for HP-Land being a letdown, that won't happen. There are so many high expectations for this being a success, and really is the only thing that would detract people from a day at WDW. Harry Potter is not a passing fad. There is an entire fanbase that started with Potter when it came out and are now old enough to have children and are passing it on to them. The Potter books are some of the most well-written books of all time and warrent multiple readings for a lot of people. Bottome line: Half-Blood Prince did great at the box office (especially the foreign box office), and the franchise will be around for a very long time.

I have been saying this for months.

I can appreciate that a person's unending devotion for all things Disney can cloud judgement....but to say Harry Potter is a passing fad....I'm not sure I can agree.

How many children, freshly back in school, are talking about how cool G-Force is...and how many are over the top because of the newest Harry Potter movie. I wonder.

The HP happenings are based on a series of books that children are still reading. I think that one aspect alone is fantastic --- getting children to READ A BOOK - how wonderful. It captures their imagination and as soon as they know there is actually a Harry Potter place to play - they are going to be begging for Harry Potter....not the flying elephants at the MK.

Now......how about all those children 10 years ago who began reading Harry Potter books....guess what they are going to want to do? They will want to ride some screaming fantastic coasters. Hummmmm....where do they find them?


Bottom line - of course Disney is big --- the parks are bigger so you would expect the gate to be bigger.

What disney doesn't have right now is the BIG Anticipation/Temptation to compete with Harry Potter and big coasters.

...then again, some people think that Splash Mountain is the end all of rides....and they will forever have that in Disney. I'm happy there will be something very new and very cool for those of us who expect more and are a smidgie tired of ..... same ole' same ole".

This HP movie is well timed and will be one giant advertisement --- that also made BUCKETS of $$$ profit.

 

[skier_pete]

One thing to remember, Prince of Persia was originally scheduled for this summer, but they felt it was too tight a timeline to really finish and market it properly. (It shot in 2008, was originally scheduled July 2009, but now pushed back to May 2010.) I think Disney sees this a a franchise along the lines of PotC. If they can get the quality of that (first) movie, then they will have some serious coin earnings. They also have Princess and the Frog this fall, and Toy Story 3 next year.

Ponyo should be considered a huge success for Disney...they marketed enough to get $10+, the best kids Anime result ever.

Harry Potter is a huge franchise, and will be successful through the last two movies...but then it will be over theatrically. UNiversal will have success with this at IOA, that's for sure, but it won't be enough to take down King Disney.

SkierPete

 

[lugnut33]

I have been saying this for months.

I can appreciate that a person's unending devotion for all things Disney can cloud judgement....but to say Harry Potter is a passing fad....I'm not sure I can agree.

How many children, freshly back in school, are talking about how cool G-Force is...and how many are over the top because of the newest Harry Potter movie. I wonder.

The HP happenings are based on a series of books that children are still reading. I think that one aspect alone is fantastic --- getting children to READ A BOOK - how wonderful. It captures their imagination and as soon as they know there is actually a Harry Potter place to play - they are going to be begging for Harry Potter....not the flying elephants at the MK.

Now......how about all those children 10 years ago who began reading Harry Potter books....guess what they are going to want to do? They will want to ride some screaming fantastic coasters. Hummmmm....where do they find them?


Bottom line - of course Disney is big --- the parks are bigger so you would expect the gate to be bigger.

What disney doesn't have right now is the BIG Anticipation/Temptation to compete with Harry Potter and big coasters.

...then again, some people think that Splash Mountain is the end all of rides....and they will forever have that in Disney. I'm happy there will be something very new and very cool for those of us who expect more and are a smidgie tired of ..... same ole' same ole".

This HP movie is well timed and will be one giant advertisement --- that also made BUCKETS of $$$ profit.

I feel like you're fogetting that Disney owns Pixar and they have a lineup of 10 great movies that are all franchise type movies. Toy Story is huge. I don't know if it's as big as Harry Potter, but it's right there. Beyond Harry Potter what is there over at Universal Studios for children that rivals anything Pixar has created?

Disney will never be the creator of all things popular, it just doesn't work that way. They didn't create Star Wars for example. However, Disney does have a powerhouse in Pixar that is really the most creative and imaginative entertainment company to exist since Disney. I'd go so far as to say they have surpassed Disney, but then again Disney owns them.

I actually wish Disney would create a whole new park based on Pixar movies and characters. As you can tell I'm a huge Pixar fan.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I feel like you're fogetting that Disney owns Pixar and they have a lineup of 10 great movies that are all franchise type movies. Toy Story is huge. I don't know if it's as big as Harry Potter, but it's right there. Beyond Harry Potter what is there over at Universal Studios for children that rivals anything Pixar has created?

Disney will never be the creator of all things popular, it just doesn't work that way. They didn't create Star Wars for example. However, Disney does have a powerhouse in Pixar that is really the most creative and imaginative entertainment company to exist since Disney. I'd go so far as to say they have surpassed Disney, but then again Disney owns them.

I actually wish Disney would create a whole new park based on Pixar movies and characters. As you can tell I'm a huge Pixar fan.

I agree with your comments on Pixar, as I said earlier - I thought UP was charming with a tremendous amount of heart......but that's Pixar and not Disney studios.

We know Pixar has magic --- because their animators still have jobs and are treated with respect.....what about Disney annimation? Who is left to annimate and where are their charming movies.

 

[lugnut33]

I agree with your comments on Pixar, as I said earlier - I thought UP was charming with a tremendous amount of heart......but that's Pixar and not Disney studios.

We know Pixar has magic --- because their animators still have jobs and are treated with respect.....what about Disney annimation? Who is left to annimate and where are their charming movies.

Well, I did mention a few in an earlier post. The Tinkerbell movie was also well done and there is a second one coming out on DVD. I don't think Disney Animation has gone away or are producing bad animation.

Are they producing the blockbusters? Well, there has been a lot of synergy between Pixar and Disney with many employees crossing over, as can be seen with Lassiter heading up DA projects. Again, Pixar is Disney.

Maybe the traditional 2d animation is a thing of the past? Maybe we'll never see huge hits like Beauty and the Beast again? The Frog Princess looks good, but who knows until it comes out. Nowadays a film has 24 hours to wow the viewing public and determine it's success.

 

[MJMcBride]

I am shocked G-Force made that much. It was god awful