Disney (and others) at the Box Office - Current State of Affairs

[Disney Irish]

Of the chains around Florida, Regal and AMC are the only ones I know of that do subscriptions. Some others have loyalty programs but that’s not the same as $22 for 1-15 movies a month. That is inflating box office numbers for a range of titles from tentpoles on down, which the trades don’t want to acknowledge for good reason. If the only way to stay in business is to sell discounted tickets and hope for concession and meme-worthy popcorn bucket sales, that’s not sustainable. Especially if they can’t clone Gerwig and Nolan.

Um, you do realize that theaters aren't in the movie business. They are in the concession business. They couldn't care less on selling tickets at a discounted price as that is not where they make their money. All they care about is someone buying popcorn, soda, and candy. The subscription program is a loss leader to get butts in seats so they can sell concessions.

 

[brideck]

But we can just get over this one (too) she’s closer to Jake Lloyd and Ahmad best than Harrison ford and ewan mcgreggor

Who's the "we" here, exactly? You're the one who felt the need to bring her up by name for no particularly good reason.

 

[J4546]

yeah but when people arent buy concessions I think the business is in trouble and last couple times ive been to AMC people arent buying sodas or popcorn it seems like the concessions lines are always empty. But thats just me.

 

[Disney Irish]

yeah but when people arent buy concessions I think the business is in trouble and last couple times ive been to AMC people arent buying sodas or popcorn it seems like the concessions lines are always empty. But thats just me.

I'm not here to defend AMC, but if their earnings are anything to go by they seem to have sold a bunch of popcorn and soda to Swiftie's.

 

[celluloid]

Of the chains around Florida, Regal and AMC are the only ones I know of that do subscriptions. Some others have loyalty programs but that’s not the same as $22 for 1-15 movies a month. That is inflating box office numbers for a range of titles from tentpoles on down, which the trades don’t want to acknowledge for good reason. If the only way to stay in business is to sell discounted tickets and hope for concession and meme-worthy popcorn bucket sales, that’s not sustainable. Especially if they can’t clone Gerwig and Nolan.

What numbers do they inflate? Box office money is still counted the same. Theaters Eat the cost of anything past the first two you see on those subscription plans.

Box office numbers have grown every year since the pandemic. Only reason they are lower than some(but still higher than some post pandemic years) is the writer's strike. It is wild how good Jan/Feb was considering all the moving releases that went around.

Hold tight.

Deadpool 3
Inside Out 2
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Beetlejuice
Wicked

And then the supporting strongs of Twisters, Gladiator 2, Rushed Moana sequel etc...

It is not going to be as wimpy as some people want ot paint like we are going back to 2020 or 2021.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Who's the "we" here, exactly? You're the one who felt the need to bring her up by name for no particularly good reason.

Anyone wanting to be somewhat objective?

Wait…I know…too much. This is the movie thread.
I’ll see myself out.

 

[DKampy]

I'm not here to defend AMC, but if their earnings are anything to go by they seem to have sold a bunch of popcorn and soda to Swiftie's.

Plus I wonder how many Dune popcorn buckets AMC will sell

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I don't see anything wrong with her career being like Portman's. Portman has had a good career and appears to be enjoying her life. Even her recent comments about being able to do more Indie type work because newer generations aren't into celebrity as previous generations comes across as positive.

So yeah if Ridley ends up with a career just like Portman, I think she'll be just fine.

Yes…

Because Portman got over the bad Star Wars stigma. Her words…not my opinion. She said she was persona non-grata after George…going as far as repeatedly thanking Mike Nichols for casting her in Closer….i think even in her Oscar speech?

Bad Star Wars is like Hollywood kryptonite for many.

 

[brideck]

Plus I wonder how many Dune popcorn buckets AMC will sell

Oh, man. I am not a popcorn bucket guy, but that ill-conceived monstrosity is tempting.

 

[Disney Irish]

Yes…

Because Portman got over the bad Star Wars stigma. Her words…not my opinion. She said she was persona non-grata after George…going as far as repeatedly thanking Mike Nichols for casting her in Closer….i think even in her Oscar speech?

Bad Star Wars is like Hollywood kryptonite for many.

Maybe just my opinion, but I don't see Ridley seeing her SW experience as bad or even regretting being in the franchise. She seems to have embraced her time in SW and obviously is open to coming back for more, which is different than Portman. I mean has Portman ever been to Celebration? Heck she never even met Hamill until this year. So really Ridley has accepted her place in SW far better than Portman ever did. So I don't think its as much as a crutch as you think it is.

Also for being persona non grata, Portman bounced back fairly quickly as I don't think she really ever stopped working. As Closer was released a year before Ep3. I don't think her career really took a big hit. Maybe she wasn't getting roles she specifically wanted, but she was clearly making movies. Some of which were fairly well regarded and even major hits at the box office.

Anyways lets not clog up this thread with more SW stuff.

 

[brideck]

Because Portman got over the bad Star Wars stigma. Her words…not my opinion. She said she was persona non-grata after George…going as far as repeatedly thanking Mike Nichols for casting her in Closer….i think even in her Oscar speech?

Not the point, but technically she thanked Nichols for championing her to other directors after she was in his Central Park production of The Seagull in 2001. And yes, Star Wars has damaged a lot of actors' careers over the years because it's non-serious work that it's nearly impossible to showcase any real acting ability in.

Ridley didn't have many pre-Star Wars credits to fall back on, so she's essentially still in the process of establishing a career, kind of like Mark Hamill, and he was in nothing particularly useful for years after that. By comparison, I think she's doing just fine.

 

[TalkingHead]

What numbers do they inflate? Box office money is still counted the same. Theaters Eat the cost of anything past the first two you see on those subscription plans.

Box office numbers have grown every year since the pandemic. Only reason they are lower than some(but still higher than some post pandemic years) is the writer's strike. It is wild how good Jan/Feb was considering all the moving releases that went around.

Hold tight.

Deadpool 3
Inside Out 2
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Beetlejuice
Wicked

And then the supporting strongs of Twisters, Gladiator 2, Rushed Moana sequel etc...

It is not going to be as wimpy as some people want ot paint like we are going back to 2020 or 2021.

What

 

[TalkingHead]

Um, you do realize that theaters aren't in the movie business. They are in the concession business. They couldn't care less on selling tickets at a discounted price as that is not where they make their money. All they care about is someone buying popcorn, soda, and candy. The subscription program is a loss leader to get butts in seats so they can sell concessions.

You do realize they split receipts with studios, right? That’s a chunk of revenue. That’s why AMC distributing Swift and Beyoncé was such a big deal. They pocketed most of the upcharged ticket price.

 

[Disney Irish]

You do realize they split receipts with studios, right? That’s a chunk of revenue. That’s why AMC distributing Swift and Beyoncé was such a big deal. They pocketed most of the upcharged ticket price.

Yes they make a percentage on a sliding scale based on how long the movie is in theaters, but most of their operating money is made in concessions.

As I mentioned the ticket sales are the loss leaders just to get people in the building so they can buy concessions. If the ticket subscription model was so bad the two largest theater chains in the nation wouldn't be doing it.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

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I can imagine a bad remake that treats the audience like they’re stupid…all of the sudden for some reason?

You’re joking, right? This thread is practically an anti-Disney troll farm.

…the antidote is not making terrible movies that bomb

…I promise.

 

[DKampy]

Oh, man. I am not a popcorn bucket guy, but that ill-conceived monstrosity is tempting.

I almost wonder if it was done on purpose… could be genius marketing if they did… they may even sell more just from people buying for the joke of it

 

[TP2000]

And are in the Top 10 despite being available for digital purchase/rental for weeks (and from what I can tell are performing just fine there too). Wonka just made it to Blu-Ray this week and hits streaming next week, but it is still playing in many markets, if only as a matinee title.

Great point! Clearly there is a huge family entertainment market for movies that parents can take their children to. Globally.

It's just a shame that Disney seems to have forgotten the ingredients for that winning recipe they themselves created.

 

[TP2000]

You claim to be a Supremes fan… but you would not watch a film dealing with the Supremes or featuring their music…odd

You heard the man, this movie is not actually about the famous girl group called The Supremes. So I won't be seeing it.

You have Google, as your sig proudly states, you can look it up yourself. I’m not doing your homework for you anymore on this.

Or wait until the movie is released and actually see it to know what it’s about.

 

[BuddyThomas]

yeah but when people arent buy concessions I think the business is in trouble and last couple times ive been to AMC people arent buying sodas or popcorn it seems like the concessions lines are always empty. But thats just me.

Concession line at AMC Times Square not too long ago. It’s always like that.

 

[Andrew C]

Concession line at AMC Times Square not too long ago. It’s always like that.

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