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

[Phroobar]

I think I'm going to be disappointed by the fact that The Wild Robot seems to have a massive voice cast. The trailer (at least the first one, don't know if there's another) made it seem like it doesn't need dialogue at all. But maybe I'm just spoiled by how awesome Robot Dreams is.

The books had a cast of characters. It wasn't just the robot learning to survive in the wilderness. It was the robot taking care of the animals. It was sweet.

 

[Casper Gutman]

Is it a hit or not?

“The audience knows” cuts through the noise, it’s very straightforward. Look at the recent success of Inside Out 2 compared to Wish. IO 2 is packing theaters and topping viewership charts because people want to see it. No amount of PR spin or cultural factors can change the fundamental truth that people choose what they want to watch.

Inside Out 2 didn’t just magically succeed because of marketing or external forces, it succeeded because it’s resonating with audiences. On the flip side, Wish didn’t see the same level of success. Why? Because the audience wasn’t as interested, plain and simple.

And it’s not just about movies. Look at the viewership numbers for Suits. The show connected with its audience. When you see packed theaters for one film and empty seats for another, or massive streaming numbers for a show like Suits, it’s clear… butts in seats and viewership numbers tell the story.

I will entertain that timing can be an influence. Star Wars hit at the right time in 1977 to give a feel-good movie when audiences needed it most, but it also happened to be one of the greatest movies of all time. People watch what they want to watch. The audience knows what it wants, and the numbers for Inside Out 2 versus Wish, as well as the enduring popularity of Suits, prove it.

That’s my take

There are ABSOLUTELY NO external reasons for the success of Suits. It's just SUCH an exceptionally well-written and acted show with a totally unique theme. Certainly a show that will be discussed in a decade's time.

This is like coming into a discussion of world history and constantly asserting "The good guys always win" as though it explains something.

 

[MagicMouseFan]

There are ABSOLUTELY NO external reasons for the success of Suits. It's just SUCH an exceptionally well-written and acted show with a totally unique theme. Certainly a show that will be discussed in a decade's time.

This is like coming into a discussion of world history and constantly asserting "The good guys always win" as though it explains something.

Yes, agree. Timing can indeed be a significant influence. Meghan Markle's relationship with Prince Harry brought additional attention to Suits. Without that spotlight, the show might have remained buried on Netflix.
However, the audience wouldn't have stayed if the show wasn't great. I agree with you; it's a very well-written show. My wife and I are watching it now. Exceptional pick up by Netflix.

All this isn’t world history. It’s simply that solid story telling and well written characters attracts an audience. That and fantasy. There is a reason my wife made me buy tickets to Deadpool. Girls want to be with Hugh Jackman and guys want to be him…
… or the fantasy of emotion and giving the audience permission to embrace their feelings is powerful stuff in Inside Out.

 

[Vicarious Fan]

Is it a hit or not?

“The audience knows” cuts through the noise, it’s very straightforward. Look at the recent success of Inside Out 2 compared to Wish. IO 2 is packing theaters and topping viewership charts because people want to see it. No amount of PR spin or cultural factors can change the fundamental truth that people choose what they want to watch.

Inside Out 2 didn’t just magically succeed because of marketing or external forces, it succeeded because it’s resonating with audiences. On the flip side, Wish didn’t see the same level of success. Why? Because the audience wasn’t as interested, plain and simple.

And it’s not just about movies. Look at the viewership numbers for Suits. The show connected with its audience. When you see packed theaters for one film and empty seats for another, or massive streaming numbers for a show like Suits, it’s clear… butts in seats and viewership numbers tell the story.

I will entertain that timing can be an influence. Star Wars hit at the right time in 1977 to give a feel-good movie when audiences needed it most, but it also happened to be one of the greatest movies of all time. People watch what they want to watch. The audience knows what it wants, and the numbers for Inside Out 2 versus Wish, as well as the enduring popularity of Suits, prove it.

That’s my take

I watched all of Suits last year because I was really bored.... it isn't good it doesn't connect with audiences. It was a hit because it came out as Megan Marckle became a household name when she married the Prince of England and went on the publicty tour. Netflix was smart to put that show on the front page. it's as simple as that.


People aren't going to the theater as much because during covid people could buy a 55 inch 4k tv from Amazon for $300 and they got used to watching movies at home. The convince of watching a movie at home instead of going to the theater and spending upwards of $70 for a movie has created a shift.

People only go to theaters now for big event films like Barbie, Mario, Dune2 etc. Inside Out 2 is an event film.

 

[MagicMouseFan]

I watched all of Suits last year because I was really bored.... it isn't good it doesn't connect with audiences. It was a hit because it came out as Megan Marckle became a household name when she married the Prince of England and went on the publicty tour. Netflix was smart to put that show on the front page. it's as simple as that.


People aren't going to the theater as much because during covid people could buy a 55 inch 4k tv from Amazon for $300 and they got used to watching movies at home. The convince of watching a movie at home instead of going to the theater and spending upwards of $70 for a movie has created a shift.

People only go to theaters now for big event films like Barbie, Mario, Dune2 etc. Inside Out 2 is an event film.

Okay… I disagree with your suits review, I’m only on season one. Audience says this: “In one week alone, it accumulated over 3 billion minutes of viewing, and in a four-week period, it reached a total of 16.71 billion minutes streamed. He’s surge in viewership has made Suits one of the most-watched acquired series on streaming platforms, even breaking records previously held by other popular shows” Agree, the landscape of movie-going has shifted significantly. People are not as likely to go to the theaters for the smaller, more character driven films like Bull Durham or When Harry Met Sally. But studios still anticipate that animated features and big budget family films, like Wish and Inside Out, will draw big crowds to theaters.

 

[Disney Irish]

Wait, but how can that be? It should have been review bombed to oblivion. This all doesn't make sense anymore. Maybe everyone is too busy dumping on the acolyte and forgot? I just don't get it. I thought the whole world was against Disney. And everyone listend to click bait YouTubers to make their decisions? Or is that only when it's convenient?

In all seriousness, yes, if they do well it will go a long way to change the narrative. All people want is an entertaining well told story, nothing more nothing less. And if it is as good as the first, or close, it will be fine. If they win the summer box office, props to them. I know I'll give them credit when they succeed. Just as I'll call them out when they fail. Just as it should be.

Maybe the bomber bots forgot it was coming out this weekend, I know some of our posters here forgot.

Seriously though, It is starting to get getting review bombed already just not heavy yet, you get nice little gems like this -

Clearly that reviewer didn't see the movie. I'm sure more will be on the way over the weekend. We'll see if it has any real effect.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Maybe the bomber bots forgot it was coming out this weekend, I know some of our posters here forgot.

Seriously though, It is starting to get getting review bombed already just not heavy yet, you get nice little gems like this -

View attachment 791969

Clearly that reviewer didn't see the movie. I'm sure more will be on the way over the weekend. We'll see if it has any real effect.

Rotten Tomatoes does such damage to itself by not finding a way to combat this nonsense.

 

[Disney Irish]

Rotten Tomatoes does such damage to itself by not finding a way to combat this nonsense.

Agreed, they've really become a joke over the last couple years, so much so everyone is starting not to trust it as evidenced by some of discussions in various threads here.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

I mean, Disney's been saving the box office - and theatrical release in general - for over a decade. 2024 was an outlier that a lot of folks who hate Disney for their own reasons gleefully grabbed on to.

And if Inside Out did poorly people would be tripping over themselves to find dubious reasons.

If anyone needs an example of this, look to the Mario movie last year. People were griping about it because Mario was portrayed as untalented until the princess taught him and turned him into the hero. Poor emasculated Mario!

Then it was a huge hit and suddenly the reason was because it didn't have an ulterior agenda or message.

It's obvious and tiresome.

 

[Casper Gutman]

Maybe the bomber bots forgot it was coming out this weekend, I know some of our posters here forgot.

Seriously though, It is starting to get getting review bombed already just not heavy yet, you get nice little gems like this -

View attachment 791969

Clearly that reviewer didn't see the movie. I'm sure more will be on the way over the weekend. We'll see if it has any real effect.

They had lines of attack prepared - you can find them out there if you look. However, they didn’t gain traction and the film was clearly going to be a success, so we aren’t likely to see a full court press. The hate network needs to appear strong and successful - they won’t waste credibility among their massive audience. It’s one of the reasons they didn’t go all in on Barbie, despite it being an exponentially more political film than anything Disney released last year. TV series are always an easier target because it’s so much harder to define and prove “success.”

 

[Tha Realest]

This is what Feige returning to Marvel full time and fixing projects looks like. It's a good thing.

When did Feige “leave” Marvel or only work in a part time basis?

 

[Disney Analyst]

 

[Animaniac93-98]

This feels like an important statistic, from Deadline's Saturday morning update:

"In a clear sign that Disney+ family subscribers will continue to come out to great movies, PostTrak noted that 52% of those watching Inside Out 2 are subs of the Mouse House service...If a Disney+ subscriber were to wait and watching Inside Out 2 at home, their kids would experience immense FOMO for these event films won’t hit the OTT service for another 80-90 days, if not more."

But it sounds like kids aren't really making up a large % of the audience, from the same article::

"PostTrak exits are still huge at 89% positive, 71% definite recommend with 63% women attending and 21% of the audience under 12, 32% between 13-17 (the largest demo), and 51% between 18-34."

Current weekend prediction at $140-$150 million

Pixar Comes Alive: ‘Inside Out 2’ Turns Box Office Right Side Up With 2nd Best Animated Pic Opening Of All-Time At $155M – Sunday AM Update

'Inside Out 2' Clocks second best opening for an animated movie at domestic box office with $155M. 'Bad Boys' franchise crosses $1 billion.

deadline.com

 

[TalkingHead]

"PostTrak exits are still huge at 89% positive, 71% definite recommend with 63% women attending and 21% of the audience under 12, 32% between 13-17 (the largest demo), and 51% between 18-34."

63% women sounds like Barbie audience overlap. Assuming that percentage is high for a family franchise title? Feels like a perfect storm for this movie: Inside Out hasn’t been an overexposed franchise, 9 years since the last entry, summer timing, Pixar brand, adult and critical well-regarded first film.

Kinda surprised I haven’t seen many if any reactions raving this is a great movie. Consensus seems to be good/okay, relief they didn’t fumble it with bonus points because of the good will from the first movie. Money talks but quality issues remain in Disney/Pixar animation.

 

[Disney Analyst]

 

[Casper Gutman]

When did Feige “leave” Marvel or only work in a part time basis?

After Endgame, Feige stepped back from close, daily oversight of the MCU to work on other projects(like a Star Wars trilogy). This has been widely discussed in the press and by the people directly involved. One of Disney’s primary reactions to the underwhelming 2023 slate was to have Feige return to his former role. That’s why you’re seeing even more dramatic reshoots, rewrites, and retoolings then is usual for Marvel,

 

[Tha Realest]

After Endgame, Feige stepped back from close, daily oversight of the MCU to work on other projects(like a Star Wars trilogy). This has been widely discussed in the press and by the people directly involved. One of Disney’s primary reactions to the underwhelming 2023 slate was to have Feige return to his former role. That’s why you’re seeing even more dramatic reshoots, rewrites, and retoolings then is usual for Marvel,

Can you share a source? He was executive producer on all of their D+ series and heavily involved in those series and those films. The idea that he’s spent time away from Marvel to work on his Star Wars film (that’s had no reported movement) is belied by the studio’s output post-Avengers.

 

[Casper Gutman]

Can you share a source? He was executive producer on all of their D+ series and heavily involved in those series and those films. The idea that he’s spent time away from Marvel to work on his Star Wars film (that’s had no reported movement) is belied by the studio’s output post-Avengers.

It's not a secret. It's been discussed a lot on these very boards. Iger discussed it in high profile interviews. And... you are aware other people can make Marvel movies without Fiege? They're just not as good at it, apparently.

 

[BrianLo]

The audience knows what it wants, and the numbers for Inside Out 2 versus Wish, as well as the enduring popularity of Suits, prove it.

Why do you keep bringing up Suits everywhere? I’m having a hard time following the point you are trying to make.

Suits was a modest success, a Canadian production (I watched it in its original run, my friend worked on it!) It has found tremendous success a decade later, never misjudge the power of the Princess lineup.

But what does that have to do with the point you are making? Audiences may find good properties a decade later? Sure I agree, but I don’t think you are telling us to wait on Wish.

Streaming numbers matter? Definitely agree, but then you are simultaneously playing off Turning Red and Luca, which had more individual viewership than Suits.

Anyways Suits is excellent. I’m glad it found its audience. No one is really arguing wish, Strange World or Lightyear are successes. People just keep arguing ‘someone is’, but no one is. Those movies all missed. But there’s another handful of movies that didn’t from both studios.

 

[BrianLo]

So...Inside Out 3 gets announced on Monday?

Based on how this weekend is progressing, I honestly think an attraction is entering the chat… add it to ‘the list’.

This feels like an important statistic, from Deadline's Saturday morning update:

"In a clear sign that Disney+ family subscribers will continue to come out to great movies, PostTrak noted that 52% of those watching Inside Out 2 are subs of the Mouse House service...If a Disney+ subscriber were to wait and watching Inside Out 2 at home, their kids would experience immense FOMO for these event films won’t hit the OTT service for another 80-90 days, if not more."

This is very important. I wasn’t sure if Chapek’s D+ strategy had irreparably harmed its audience. Particularly for Pixar. I think we see evidence of that unwinding during the run of Elemental. In the sense that audiences felt trained to skip things and when a product was actually good and not coming to streaming in short order, they slowly dragged themselves back.

Whether we were just waiting for something great or for audiences to be untrained (I think it is both), it’s clear the company can find theatrical success.

I think Moana 2 has a billion dollar prospects now if it’s reasonably reviewed and felt to be good enough quality.