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

[BlindChow]

What are you talking about? Have you completely forgotten about video rental stores?

The claim that theatrical was ever cheaper for a family of four than home viewing is bizarre (at least for the past 40+ years).

Too bad we can't post a mid-thread poll. I bet there would be only one person who would vote that going to the theater was cheaper

 

[Animaniac93-98]

‘Weapons’ Rises To $43M+ Opening, Still Freaking Out ‘Freakier Friday’: How New Line & Warner Bros Pulled It Off – Box Office Update

New Line's 'Weapons' is off to an excellent start at the box office, with previews coming in at $5M+, while Disney sequel 'Freakier Friday' is eyeing $3M.

deadline.com

Deadline is pegging a 30M domestic with a 12M Friday. I actually think that’s great all things said?

A $30 million opening for a $45 million movie is undeniably good.

The movie will also likely hold well in the coming weeks thanks to mostly positive word of mouth and not really any direct competition.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Fantastic Four having a 3rd weekend between $16-$18 million. Another not-so-good hold if it does drop 56%.

It continues to pace well behind Man of Steel which made $248 million after 17 days of release ($291 million total)

 

[CoastalElite64]

Weapons is doing really well too. I'm happy for Julia Gardner. She was a standout on Fantastic Four also.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Weapons is doing really well too. I'm happy for Julia Gardner. She was a standout on Fantastic Four also.

I'm really curious to see how Weapons holds in the coming weeks

Does it overperform because of high praise, or will it be fall hard like most horror movies do after opening weekend?

 

[Disney Irish]

The claim that theatrical was ever cheaper for a family of four than home viewing is bizarre (at least for the past 40+ years).

Too bad we can't post a mid-thread poll. I bet there would be only one person who would vote that going to the theater was cheaper

So when I was a kid there were theaters where you could go watch movies for $0.50, and later it went up to $1. I could go on a Saturday afternoon and see a bunch of movies for the same cost as a video rental at the time. So yeah it was cheaper.

Obviously everyone’s area and situation are different but on average going to the theater used to be a cheap form of entertainment, not so much anymore. Budget theaters don’t really exist any more, we even had a poster suggest to bring them back as a way to save theatrical.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I'm not a fan of unnecessary sequels or remakes, but Freakier Friday is the kind of mid budget Disney proper title (not Searchlight or another brand) that I think the company needs to make more of

It's success should justify something other than tentpoles for Disney.

Or more theatrical releases for movies that might otherwise go straight to streaming

 

[easyrowrdw]

Haven’t taken the time to go back further but for the following Calendar Years:

2018: TV/SVOD - 44.4%
Theatrical - 37.4%
Home Entertainment - 18.2%

2019: TV/SVOD - 40%
Theatrical - 45%
Home Entertainment - 15%

2020: TV/SVOD - 70%
Theatrical - 10%
Home Entertainment- 20%

2021: TV/SVOD - 64%
Theatrical - 21%
Home Entertainment - 15%

2022: TV/SVOD - 52%
Theatrical - 38%
Home Entertainment - 10%

2023: TV/SVOD - 38%
Theatrical - 46%
Home Entertainment - 16%

2024: TV/SVOD and Home Entertainment (got combined for the last quarter of 2024) - 55%
Theatrical - 45%

That’s great info. Thank you for taking the time to put this together. The new Other category throws a wrinkle in it but it seems like outside of the Covid years theatrical has been pretty steady (38-45%) and this Q is a bit lower

 

[Nevermore525]

That’s great info. Thank you for taking the time to put this together. The new Other category throws a wrinkle in it but it seems like outside of the Covid years theatrical has been pretty steady (38-45%) and this Q is a bit lower

Other is mostly stage shows like Disney on Ice, Broadway, etc.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I guess that is the ultimate question that we will get the answer to in time.

God help us if we’re still chatting in this thread in 20 years to prove either side correct!

 

[BrianLo]

I'm not a fan of unnecessary sequels or remakes, but Freakier Friday is the kind of mid budget Disney proper title (not Searchlight or another brand) that I think the company needs to make more of

It's success should justify something other than tentpoles for Disney.

Or more theatrical releases for movies that might otherwise go straight to streaming

Hocus Pocus 2 and Disenchanted should have been theatrical releases based on this.

Which is partially what I meant by my earlier comments that streaming is quickly being walked back strategically as a theatrical replacement. As least as far as Disney seems concerned. The other companies really seem to like the PVOD money.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Hocus Pocus 2 and Disenchanted should have been theatrical releases based on this.

It was a mistake not to release Hocus Pocus 2 to theaters

At the very least it would have easily had a big opening weekend.

Which is partially what I meant by my earlier comments that streaming is quickly being walked back strategically as a theatrical replacement. As least as far as Disney seems concerned. The other companies really seem to like the PVOD money.

Universal continues to be the most aggressive with pushing early PVOD access.

 

[easyrowrdw]

Other is mostly stage shows like Disney on Ice, Broadway, etc.

That’s what I figured. I was meaning more that because those things weren’t included as a separate category in the previous years, the % comparisons are imperfect.

Edit: It doesn’t seem like the TV/Streaming percentages are really increasing but it’s hard to tell. I imagine Disney wants a balance for these things regardless

 

[Nevermore525]

That’s what I figured. I was meaning more that because those things weren’t included as a separate category in the previous years, the % comparisons are imperfect

Yeah it certainly muddies it when they’ve shifted around where they report certain revenue sources.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

If anyone sees Weapons, please let me know if it’s just scary with occasional gore, or if it’s super gross. Crazy bloody is not my jam, but spooky definitely is.

I was OK with Sinners, just had to turn away a bunch of times towards the end lol.

 

[Disney Irish]

God help us if we’re still chatting in this thread in 20 years to prove either side correct!

Why, planning on going anywhere? I'm not, I plan on still being here posting in 2055 about Disneyland's 100th celebration.

I mean you made it 10 years here already, might as well go another 20, you'll only be 73 and I'll be right around the same age too.

Happy WDWMagic birthday by the way, it just past 2 days ago.

 

[CoastalElite64]

If anyone sees Weapons, please let me know if it’s just scary with occasional gore, or if it’s super gross. Crazy bloody is not my jam, but spooky definitely is.

I was OK with Sinners, just had to turn away a bunch of times towards the end lol.

I wont see it until next week. But I have heard it be described as drama horror, and like a Peele-type of movie. Gory on some parts and somewhat comedic.

 

[Ghost93]

I think the success of Freakier Friday bodes well for the planned Princess Diaries 3 film in the works, as they target similar demographics.

Glad to see Weapons doing well though, that movie was great. Scared the crap out of me, lol.

 

[CoastalElite64]

I think he makes some good points about optics.

 

[Disney Irish]

I think the success of Freakier Friday bodes well for the planned Princess Diaries 3 film in the works, as they target similar demographics.

I would say also Devil Wears Prada 2.