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

[Farerb]

My gut tells me they’ll go 0-3 this year…so we’ll see

I think you're probably right. My brother is a casual fan of the MCU, one who doesn't bother with internet fandom. He told me he had no interest in the upcoming Fantastic Four's film, that they had too many chances in film adaptations and they aren't as popular as Spider-Man to justify another film adaptation.

 

[AdventureHasAName]

I don’t…fantastic four just doesn’t draw eyes

The problem with the Fantastic Four is that the main character is Doctor Doom (and always has been). And they consistently screw up that character every time they try to adapt the Fantastic Four to film.

And they are screwing it up again this time with the RDJ stunt casting.

 

[DKampy]

The problem with the Fantastic Four is that the main character is Doctor Doom (and always has been). And they consistently screw up that character every time they try to adapt the Fantastic Four to film.

And they are screwing it up again this time with the RDJ stunt casting.

The majority of the general movie going public don’t follow comics…. It is probably less then 1% that do…. They just want an entertaining film

 

[TalkingHead]

The last 2 years suggest audiences are getting more selective about what MCU titles they'll support.

There was hype for Deadpool and Wolverine because both characters were still popular and there was a novelty in having them paired together. Guardians 3, like Black Panther 2, benefitted from the appeal of those particular characters/stories.

Ant Man 3, The Marvels and this? People aren't going to show up and like everything anymore. Giving Marvel the benefit of the doubt has been eroded by titles like these and all the Sony stuff.

I still expect Fantastic Four to do well, as they haven't had a movie in a while, but Thunderbolts may not. Especially since it's the next release after Captain America 4 and doesn't have any of the major, popular characters.

I think Fantastic Four has the best breakout chance. It’s a starting point movie, so no homework required, summer release, appealing cast, a distinctive period piece hook.

But it will be the third MCU title in six months and the fourth(?) superhero film in that same time, so also seems possible that it gets lost in the mix or audiences tune out. Smartest thing Disney did last year was have a massive gap in MCU releases before Deadpool. Pent up demand was rewarded.

But Fantastic Four characters also don’t have a history of generating any enthusiasm with general movie audiences, so I wouldn’t bet money on it either way.

 

[Agent H]

I think Fantastic Four has the best breakout chance. It’s a starting point movie, so no homework required, summer release, appealing cast, a distinctive period piece hook.

But it will be the third MCU title in six months and the fourth(?) superhero film in that same time, so also seems possible that it gets lost in the mix or audiences tune out. Smartest thing Disney did last year was have a massive gap in MCU releases before Deadpool. Pent up demand was rewarded.

But Fantastic Four characters also don’t have a history of generating any enthusiasm with general movie audiences, so I wouldn’t bet money on it either way.

They released 2 to 3 films every year before the pandemic and that wasn’t a problem

 

[TalkingHead]

They released 3 films every year before the pandemic and that wasn’t a problem

That was six years ago when they had an overarching storyline building to a finale with a roster of popular actor/character combos. None of that is true in 2025.

 

[AdventureHasAName]

The majority of the general movie going public don’t follow comics…. It is probably less then 1% that do…. They just want an entertaining film

In order for a film to make the kind of money that these MCU tentpole films need to make (to recoup their investment), you need (1) mass appeal and (2) multiple viewings from the core fans. That means you need full buy-in from the nerds (I include myself in that category). And on adaptations, the nerds typically only give full buy-in when the source material is beloved and is strictly adhered to.

The "general movie going public" listens to the nerds when it comes to fantasy films. If the nerds are super excited and giving the film great reviews, the public follows. That 1% that do follow comics are the most important people in this scenario by far. And that 1% knows every single detail about the character Doctor Doom and his importance to Marvel.

The most important thing ever to happen in the MCU was the post credit scene in Iron Man because the nerds heard the word "Avengers" and didn't shut up about it for years. The public followed.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The problem with the Fantastic Four is that the main character is Doctor Doom (and always has been). And they consistently screw up that character every time they try to adapt the Fantastic Four to film.

And they are screwing it up again this time with the RDJ stunt casting.

Yeah…I agree

I did like Julian McMahon…but they don’t understand the weight of doom in that story

It’s like Batman…the important actor to get right is always the joker…any stiff can work wearing the ears

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

They released2 to 3 films every year before the pandemic and that wasn’t a problem

Totally different scenario…they did well on the origin stories and nailed the team ups…

Even the “worst” team up - age of ultron - was much better conceived and written than any MCU movie of the last 5 years except maybe guardians 3

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The majority of the general movie going public don’t follow comics…. It is probably less then 1% that do…. They just want an entertaining film

Kinda sucks that they have stopped making entertaining MCU films then, huh?

 

[Miss Rori]

But it will be the third MCU title in six months and the fourth(?) superhero film in that same time, so also seems possible that it gets lost in the mix or audiences tune out. Smartest thing Disney did last year was have a massive gap in MCU releases before Deadpool. Pent up demand was rewarded.

But Fantastic Four characters also don’t have a history of generating any enthusiasm with general movie audiences, so I wouldn’t bet money on it either way.

Another issue besides it coming out just two weeks after Superman is that the big July 4th weekend release is Jurassic World Rebirth. The Jurassic Park/World franchise has been a quietly reliable money-spinner, and bad reviews for the recent installments didn't hinder that. I can see both superhero movies being undercut, especially in foreign markets, if this seventh installment follows a similar path.

But yeah, there's also the fact that they have tried 3 (or 4, depending on Rise of the Silver Surfer) times to make the Fantastic Four happen as movie characters and it does not happen!

 

[Agent H]

That was six years ago when they had an overarching storyline building to a finale with a roster of popular actor/character combos. None of that is true in 2025.

Yes it is you are telling lies. they are ramping up towards an event from the comics called secret wars

 

[Agent H]

Totally different scenario…they did well on the origin stories and nailed the team ups…

Even the “worst” team up - age of ultron - was much better conceived and written than any MCU movie of the last 5 years except maybe guardians 3

Kinda sucks that they have stopped making entertaining MCU films then, huh?

This is a subjective opinion one the majority of people disagree with

 

[erasure fan1]

Even the “worst” team up - age of ultron - was much better conceived and written than any MCU movie of the last 5 years except maybe guardians 3

I don't know about anyone else, but I've watched Ultron a few times since endgame. And it's in my opinion pretty underrated. Especially comparing it to post infinity saga.

 

[Architectural Guinea Pig]

Chinese Blockbuster 'Ne Zha 2' Overtakes 'Black Panther' and 'Deadpool & Wolverine' at the Box Office

Ne Zha 2 continues bringing in incredible box office results ahead of its international rollout. See how much the Chinese blockbuster has made so far.

collider.com

Edit: The reception around the movie is very strangely suspicious. All the reviews are 10/10 and there’s something about them that feels very fake- like 99% on RT and 8.3 on iMDB, really? Box Office looks crazily high but it might just be Chinese hype

 

[Casper Gutman]

The problem with the Fantastic Four is that the main character is Doctor Doom (and always has been). And they consistently screw up that character every time they try to adapt the Fantastic Four to film.

And they are screwing it up again this time with the RDJ stunt casting.

This is nonsense. Doom is one of the greatest occaisional antagonists in fiction, sure, but in no way, shape, or form is he the “main character.” The Four have always been the focus, and The Thing in particular is one of the most important and beloved characters in comics, who defined the Marvel ethos and continues to embody it more than any character besides Spider-Man.

 

[Casper Gutman]

My gut tells me they’ll go 0-3 this year…so we’ll see

This is your fondest hope, not a reasoned opinion. And when it doesn’t happen, you won’t adjust your outlook one iota.

 

[Disstevefan1]

My pure guesses about Disney movies in 2025 having no idea how much the real (actual) costs to make and market.

Captain America: Brave New World
Break even, make some money

Snow White
Loss

Thunderbolts
Break even, make some money

Lilo & Stitch
Blockbuster

Elio
Winner, short of blockbuster

The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Winner, short of blockbuster

Freakier Friday
Winner, short of blockbuster

Tron: Ares
Break even, make some money

Zootopia 2
Blockbuster

Avatar: Fire and Ash
Blockbuster

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

This is your fondest hope, not a reasoned opinion. And when it doesn’t happen, you won’t adjust your outlook one iota.

You just made all of that up…

Save it for the next snit, eh?

I don’t have high hopes for the marvel slate. I’m not wishing it or in any kinda control of it. We’ll see how it goes?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

This is nonsense. Doom is one of the greatest occaisional antagonists in fiction, sure, but in no way, shape, or form is he the “main character.” The Four have always been the focus, and The Thing in particular is one of the most important and beloved characters in comics, who defined the Marvel ethos and continues to embody it more than any character besides Spider-Man.

In comics…and it doesn’t really translate

Let’s just see if it works this time? It might

In the mean time…go back to bed instead of just griping at everyone.

Rough week?