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

[LittleBuford]

Oh I see. I thought you meant it was patronizing that I brought up that I saw some people had that objection.

No, not at all! Sorry for not being clearer!

I can't really comment on whether or not the ending is offensive or not, as I'm not Hawaiian and don't have that kind of personal stake in the matter. However, It's possible that only some people were legitimately offended by the ending, and then thousands others hopped on the bandwagon of bashing the ending because they dislike the live action remake for other reasons, but want a "moral" excuse to justify hating on it.

Sometimes it's fine to simply dislike a movie without needing a moral high ground to do so.

I also can't say how I feel about the ending change until I see the movie. Some things may sound like a bad idea on paper, but make sense in execution. Although I'm not likely to see the movie until it arrives on Disney Plus. I'm not boycotting the Lilo & Stitch remake, I just have no excitement or interest in it. I feel similarly about the How to Train Your Dragon remake coming out later this year. It's feel these movies are coming out way too soon after their original animated counterparts.

All very well said.

 

[Dranth]

Steaming is a separate issue…it keeps getting lumped together on the bad performances

Disney’s goal in spending $300+ to produce marvel films is NOT to fail at the box office and then throw it into the catalogue where “maybe some people will pick it up?”

Now that may happen…it’s a consolation prize…but the goal of their big tentpole movies is ALWAYS to generate cross sales and more demand for material.

It’s just silly for anyone to suggest otherwise. We know the animal that’s caged here

Sure, of course they want to make a ton of money on every movie, but after the decline post End Game, rebuilding with a string of good, solid movies that restore some interest and trust is a must. Monetary value of streaming aside (isn't relevant to the point I am trying to make), streaming becomes important as people see it and it moves them a little closer to springing for the next one.

Anyway, I'm sure they will drop another one that hits big at some point, but not all of them can and the ones that don't, need to be good enough to keep people interested.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Sure, of course they want to make a ton of money on every movie, but after the decline post End Game, rebuilding with a string of good, solid movies that restore some interest and trust is a must. Monetary value of streaming aside (isn't relevant to the point I am trying to make), streaming becomes important as people see it and it moves them a little closer to springing for the next one.

Anyway, I'm sure they will drop another one that hits big at some point, but not all of them can and the ones that don't, need to be good enough to keep people interested.

I think marvel needs to go on the shelf for Awhile

As is ALWAYS the way it is with comic book movies. They’re get over exploited and stale…it’s inevitable.

This next one looks not really good either

 

[Ghost93]

I think marvel needs to go on the shelf for Awhile

As is ALWAYS the way it is with comic book movies. They’re get over exploited and stale…it’s inevitable.

This next one looks not really good either

I think 2021-2024 did too much damage to the superhero genre in general. There needs to be like a 5-year break without superheroes, but neither Warner Bros. or Disney is going to allow that to happen.

In 2021 we had FIVE MCU or MCU-adjacent movies in the span of six months (Black Widow, Shang-Chi, Sony's Venom 2, Eternals and Spider-man: No Way Home). That year also saw the release of FIVE Disney Plus MCU shows (WandaVision, Falcon and Winter Soldier, Loki, What if? and Hawkeye). We also had DC's the Suicide Squad.

2022 had three Marvel films (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) and three Disney Plus TV shows (Moon Knight, Ms. Marvel and She-Hulk). Sony released the embarrassment that was "Morbius" while DC released Peacemaker, The Batman and Black Adam. Many people were likely still struggling to catch up with the onslaught of superhero content from 2021 before they could even catch up to all of this.

By the end of 2022, I think audiences were already beginning to feel superhero fatigue with so much content of varying quality. But 2023 is what REALLY killed the superhero genre with an onslaught of bad superhero films — Ant-man and the Wasp Quantumania, Shazam Fury of the Gods, the Flash, The Marvels and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Not to mention, we had the abysmal MCU show "Secret Invasion" and the mediocre "Blue Beetle" thrown into the mix. Guardians 3 was pretty solid, but it was the only good thing in a sea of crap.

Marvel tried to take a break in 2024 by only releasing Deadpool and Wolverine in theaters, but I think people still didn't get the chance to take a break from superheroes since Sony was pumping out several (BAD) MCU-adjacent films like Madame Web, Venom 3 and Kraven the Hunter.

 

[DKampy]

This next one looks not really good either

The last one actually was good according to most who watched…. Critics and general audience…. I know people like to harp on nobody knows these characters… No one knew any of the characters in GotG…. Plus the idea of casting the chubby guy from Parks and Rec as the lead was perplexing to some l…that was a risk and so was Thunderbolts..,, I hope those involved don’t become risk adverse… as those usually produce the most interesting results

We have no idea how F4 turns our until it hits theaters… but there are reports the test screenings were excellent

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The last one actually was good according to most who watched…. Critics and general audience…. I know people like to harp on nobody knows these characters… No one knew any of the characters in GotG…. Plus the idea of casting the chubby guy from Parks and Rec as the lead was perplexing to some l…that was a risk and so was Thunderbolts..,, I hope those involved don’t become risk adverse… as those usually produce the most interesting results

We have no idea how F4 turns our until it hits theaters… but there are reports the test screenings were excellent

It’s a franchise that never performs up to task and some kinda gunnsian/incredibles mid century mod look…

We’ll see how it does. Not optimistic…but not definitive. I have been on a heater with my predictions this year so far. Think it’s gonna be a bad summer for the ole mouse

 

[celluloid]

I think marvel needs to go on the shelf for Awhile

As is ALWAYS the way it is with comic book movies. They’re get over exploited and stale…it’s inevitable.

This next one looks not really good either

They definitely need that sweet spot. There needs to be a 3-five year where they can make something good without relying on it, and get that at least hope for Avengers level or better interest than now.

But not wait too long before it becomes Westerns, because right now, they are going to milk it until it becomes this generation's westerns.

Sinners shows us the original storytelling/spin on horror epic that people are willing to appreciate.


Family films and horror are the top two genres right now. And both can succeed with their counter programming.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

They definitely need that sweet spot. There needs to be a 3-five year where they can make something good without relying on it, and get that at least hope for Avengers level or better interest than now.

But not wait too long before it becomes Westerns, because right now, they are going to milk it until it becomes this generation's westerns.

I think we’re there

I get the instinctive flood to go safe in Hollywood and create volume…but the supes are definitely out of control.

They’ve redone Batman twice since Nolan…and both have been terrible trying for a “new audience” (hint)

This stuff is way exploited. What variant of xmen are we on now?

 

[Tha Realest]

… but there are reports the test screenings were excellent

‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Test Screening Leaves Marvel Fans Worried — World of Reel

Yesterday, word quickly spread online that Marvel held one of its classic “we’re kinda nervous about this one” test screenings, this time for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”

www.worldofreel.com

 

[Disney Irish]

‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Test Screening Leaves Marvel Fans Worried — World of Reel

Yesterday, word quickly spread online that Marvel held one of its classic “we’re kinda nervous about this one” test screenings, this time for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”

www.worldofreel.com

Be careful with quick interpretations of the test screenings.

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Test Screening Reactions Misinterpreted; Movie Received "Excellent" Scores

It seems the negative reactions to The Fantastic Four: First Steps were blown out of proportion, as the person who shared their thoughts on the movie has revealed how those were taken and misrepresented.

comicbookmovie.com

 

[DKampy]

It’s a franchise that never performs up to task and some kinda gunnsian/incredibles mid century mod look…

We’ll see how it does. Not optimistic…but not definitive. I have been on a heater with my predictions this year so far. Think it’s gonna be a bad summer for the ole mouse

I am not sure how Fantastic Four will perform… I suspect at minimum better then Thunderbolts… as their more well known and seem to have more buzz

I am not a Marvel fanboy…. I just like good movies no matter the genre…. Thunderbolts was my most anticipated comic book movie of 2025….as it look to be something different and it satisfied… I am interested in Fantastic Four as the 60’s idealistic future setting appears to be something different in today’s superhero climate… plus anything with Pedro Pascal has my interest

 

[Tha Realest]

Be careful with quick interpretations of the test screenings.

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Test Screening Reactions Misinterpreted; Movie Received "Excellent" Scores

It seems the negative reactions to The Fantastic Four: First Steps were blown out of proportion, as the person who shared their thoughts on the movie has revealed how those were taken and misrepresented.

comicbookmovie.com

OP said there were reports the screenings were excellent. This is was the only story I had seen about the early response, and Sneider cited multiple sources (not just some dude yelling “mid”)

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I am not sure how Fantastic Four will perform… I suspect at minimum better then Thunderbolts… as their more well known and seem to have more buzz

I am not a Marvel fanboy…. I just like good movies no matter the genre…. Thunderbolts was my most anticipated comic book movie of 2025….as it look to be something different and it satisfied… I am interested in Fantastic Four as the 60’s idealistic future setting appears to be something different in today’s superhero climate… plus anything with Pedro Pascal has my interest

It will do better than that

Thunderbolts flopped…”ratings” be damned

I’m guessing FF somewhere in the $525-$600 range.

Which is meh for marvel…no matter how much shorter we try to move the goalposts in here

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Be careful with quick interpretations of the test screenings.

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Test Screening Reactions Misinterpreted; Movie Received "Excellent" Scores

It seems the negative reactions to The Fantastic Four: First Steps were blown out of proportion, as the person who shared their thoughts on the movie has revealed how those were taken and misrepresented.

comicbookmovie.com

Grain of salt…for sure.

But fantastic four is always a tough sell anyway. I compared it to “the muppets of marvel”…and I’ll stick to it

 

[Disney Irish]

OP said there were reports the screenings were excellent. This is was the only story I had seen about the early response, and Sneider cited multiple sources (not just some dude yelling “mid”)

I trust Sneider about as far as I can throw him, as he usually quotes people who claim to be "insiders" but aren't directly tied to what he is reporting on, ie in this case they haven't even seen the movie (which your article even stated). If you read the article I posted the early screening "source" appears to be from one guy and it was stuff taken out of context. And that many people at the screening polled said it was excellent according to this same source. The people who were more critical appear to be more hardcore comic fans, so of course they are going to be critical. That doesn't mean it was a "mess" or anything else that Sneider and those others claimed the "source" said, as the person who actually saw it refuted that claim.

Basically take these quick reactions with a huge truck load of salt.

 

[Disney Irish]

Grain of salt…for sure.

But fantastic four is always a tough sell anyway. I compared it to “the muppets of marvel”…and I’ll stick to it

It remains to be seen how this iteration will do. I don't automatically subscribe to the thought that F4 can't be accepted by the masses or are past their prime. Just like everything its execution not necessarily the material that is the tough sell.

 

[DKampy]

OP said there were reports the screenings were excellent. This is was the only story I had seen about the early response, and Sneider cited multiple sources (not just some dude yelling “mid”)

I guess call them rumors… but I have heard them…. Not saying they are accurate…. I actually don’t put much faith either way…. I have seen quite a few so called early screenings that turned out false…. Just reporting what I heard… as I stated in my original post we won’t know until it hits theaters

 

[BrianLo]

I don’t have terribly high expectations for Elio, unfortunately. But I think F4 could do reasonably well. There seems to be expectancy there, Thunderbolts on the other hand had very little and at least turned out to be good.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Thunderbolts on the other hand had very little and at least turned out to be good.

That would probably matter much more at the Sundance film festival

 

[BrianLo]

That would probably matter much more at the Sundance film festival

I mean it matters - because I at least enjoyed it. That’s all there was to my comment.