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

[MisterPenguin]

What no more Nicole expounding on why we should be watching movies at AMC?

I'm depressed that wasn't even mentioned as being taken out. AMC gives us *TWO* AMC commercials.

We're *in* an AMC theater right now. Why are you advertising that I should go to an AMC theater!?!?

 

[Tony the Tigger]

So where do you think marvel Studios income should come from while they’re not making movies?

Wait…you mean…they’re a business? They have employees to support?

 

[Disney Irish]

I'm depressed that wasn't even mentioned as being taken out. AMC gives us *TWO* AMC commercials.

We're *in* an AMC theater right now. Why are you advertising that I should go to an AMC theater!?!?

That would be like Disney advertising riding the Mr Toad while riding Mr Toad. Hey wait a minute, that is a good idea...

Hey Bob, I have a new advertising campaign for you, give me a call.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

They should put an ad with much greater emphasis on: No phones, no chit-chat (yes, even you!) (Don’t be that person!) (We really mean it even though we can’t afford ushers anymore!) Seriously, shut up! You’re not the only person here, Miranda!

 

[Agent H]

The same place lucasfilm is…no where

Lucasfilm is most certainly making money. Otherwise they wouldn’t be able to afford making new content.

 

[Disney Irish]

They should put an ad with much greater emphasis on: No phones, no chit-chat (yes, even you!) (Don’t be that person!) (We really mean it even though we can’t afford ushers anymore!) Seriously, shut up! You’re not the only person here, Miranda!

Cinemark has had some cross-promotional ones that are similar in nature over the last couple years, one recently with an iPhone and Galaxy in different movie based scenes with a final "Phone shouldn't be part of movies. Please silence yours." tag line.

 

[Agent H]

Cinemark has had some cross-promotional ones that are similar in nature over the last couple years, one recently with an iPhone and Galaxy in different movie based scenes with a final "Phone shouldn't be part of movies. Please silence yours." tag line.

I don’t think it’s exclusive to cinemark. I see That one play at amc all the time.

 

[Disney Irish]

I don’t think it’s exclusive to cinemark. I see That one play at amc all the time.

Probably, I've just seen it at Cinemark since that is where I go most, my recent AMC trips haven't shown it. But yeah its probably at multiple theater chains. Its a Galaxy ad bundled with a "Turn off your phone" message.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

If I'm being honest its becoming less interesting as time goes on. I thought you checked out long ago from these monetary discussions.

I did, and I probably will again, but I’ve had 3 doctors appointments this week which meant a lot of waiting room time to kill with only my phone to keep me company… also likely why my posts have been on the extra grumpy side, I hate doctors appts, 3 in 5 days should be criminal. Getting old sure is fun.

 

[Tha Realest]

What no more Nicole expounding on why we should be watching movies at AMC?

The original video became something of a popular and weird meme (all memes are inherently weird, so that’s redundant).

How The Nicole Kidman AMC Ad Became A Camp Cultural Phenomenon

How did an earnest and over-the-top commercial for a movie theater chain start an online “cult”? You can thank Nicole Kidman and her unique online status.

www.buzzfeednews.com

That said, I was at the AMC opening night fan IMAX premiere events for Superman at one of their premiere theaters in the country a few weeks ago and the biggest crowd pops of the night were 1) the Kidman teaser, and 2) Peacemaker cameo. It was kind of bizarre but harmless fun. Like, there were half a dozen moments in the movie that were more worthy of outlandish applause but Kidman got the biggest reaction.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Lucasfilm is most certainly making money. Otherwise they wouldn’t be able to afford making new content.

Over a 50 year legacy of product…really the first of its kind in Hollywood.

What are they actually filming/making? Almost nothing. Trying to do just enough to stay in the consumer consciousness.

Now realize…do I think they will stop making MCU?

Of course not. It’s repetitive, stock mogul Bob…
But king Midas’s touch isn’t what it was…

They would be smart to pull back from
MCU…the more they try to pump volume…the less effect it will have. The movies aren’t really working…neither is the streaming stuff.

So they should pull back. You do understand that the customer at large is not as hooked as the impression you would get from our fan discussions?
Not a hot ticket item right now. They made too much…it’s become repetitive…they’re going too fringe.

But what I say doesn’t matter…just don't expect a renaissance. That’s what they’re selling and the peeps ain’t buying. In order for a “relaunch”, you gotta stop firing rockets off the pad over and over Again.

And lucasfilm Isn’t a great example. It’s the most recognizable movie franchise probably ever…and they misread it so bad they basically shut the movie studio down for 5 years. Or maybe I missed one?

 

[BrianLo]

Has Mr. Gunn said what his number is for his $225 Million tentpole to break even, if it's not $650 Million?

If they spent $225 Million on production, and another $100 Million on global advertising, and so far his studio's 60% of their domestic box office take equals $199 Million, and his studio's 40% of the overseas box office take equals $99 Million, then that math states Superman is currently at a loss of $27 Million. And break even with that $325 Million spent on production and marketing would indeed seem to be about $650 Million with the current domestic/overseas ticket mix.

Where are the savings coming from to be at break even or better by now with this box office? Was there a big production budget tax credit we are unaware of? Was Superman filmed in the UK and subsidized by British taxpayers, by chance?

View attachment 876940

A little upthread @Nevermore525 pulled the Q10 studios breakdown for TWDC and they make about 1$ In post theatrical markets for every dollar they make in the box office. I’d assume WBD is similar.

This combined with a general underestimation of the totality of the costs is why your numbers don’t arrive at the right conclusion. Needing to be profitable out of the box office only is an arbitrary benchmark that has been set in this thread, but doesn't reflect how films are budgeted or what they actually make (or cost).

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

A little upthread @Nevermore525 pulled the Q10 studios breakdown for TWDC and they make about 1$ In post theatrical markets for every dollar they make in the box office. I’d assume WBD is similar.

This combined with a general underestimation of the totality of the costs is why your numbers don’t arrive at the right conclusion. Needing to be profitable out of the box office only is an arbitrary benchmark that has been set in this thread, but doesn't reflect how films are budgeted or what they actually make (or cost).

Please stop coming up with “box office failure is cool” stated as many vague ways as possible?

You do understand the goal is to make maximum money, correct?

So many excuses…

 

[Disney Irish]

Please stop coming up with “box office failure is cool” stated as many vague ways as possible?

You do understand the goal is to make maximum money, correct?

So many excuses…

Or maybe understand this isn’t 1995 and the box office isn’t the sole monetary factor anymore.

 

[BrianLo]

Please stop coming up with “box office failure is cool” stated as many vague ways as possible?

You do understand the goal is to make maximum money, correct?

So many excuses…

Walter, you again are misreading my posts. He asked a question about how studios (consistently) are arriving at lower thresholds than he is and I answered it.

The reality is being off by a 0.5X turn. It doesn’t polish a turd. It just means Snow White lost in the bottom half of 200 million instead of the top half. It means Superman *just* started eeking into the black.

You also missed my constant “excuse” that I am very consistently accusing him of also significantly underestimating costs.

 

[BrianLo]

I’m very rarely attempting to be vague. I tend to just fact check a lot, which is most assuredly an annoying trait.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Walter, you again are misreading my posts. He asked a question about how studios (consistently) are arriving at lower thresholds than he is and I answered it.

The reality is being off by a 0.5X turn. It doesn’t polish a turd. It just means Snow White lost in the bottom half of 200 million instead of the top half. It means Superman *just* started eeking into the black.

You also missed my constant “excuse” that I am very consistently accusing him of also significantly underestimating costs.

The costs aren’t kosher

So that one didn’t get enough play. I’ll give you that.

No way they are hitting half budgets now…when Hollywood has blown damn near every budget for decades
Toooooo convenient when the box office has hit the tank.

My issue is this “they make other money off the movies!!!”
They always did…That’s not new. It’s only being brought up more and more recently when the BO is dropping by half. It doesn’t mean the model is different.

The stream data from the last couple of weeks wasn’t really good either…so that isn’t where the bread is.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I’m very rarely attempting to be vague. I tend to just fact check a lot, which is most assuredly an annoying trait.

Vague might not be the best word

 

[BrianLo]

My issue is this “they make other money off the movies!!!”
They always did…That’s not new. It’s only being brought up more and more recently when the BO is dropping by half. It doesn’t mean the model is different.

For clarity, you’ll find me arguing exactly that on Friday that the model isn’t actually different. I don’t think box office is going anywhere and still is a guiding pillar of tentpoles for years to come. They tried to make it work without box office and failed at it. I think the splits are interesting because it really hasn’t changed since Disney streaming.

The studios did very poorly in 2023, very well in 2024 and 2025 the jury might be heading for a mixed or even poor bag unless Zootopia (and Avatar) end on a high note.

Vague might not be the best word

Maybe allowing for more creative interpretation than I intend. Explaining is not always meant to be a ringing endorsement. Though I do think Superman is being considered a successful relaunch on most metrics.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

For clarity, you’ll find me arguing exactly that on Friday that the model isn’t actually different. I don’t think box office is going anywhere and still is a guiding pillar of tentpoles for years to come. They tried to make it work without box office and failed at it. I think the splits are interesting because it really hasn’t changed since Disney streaming.

The studios did very poorly in 2023, very well in 2024 and 2025 the jury might be heading for a mixed or even poor bag unless Zootopia (and Avatar) end on a high note.



Maybe allowing for more creative interpretation than I intend. Explaining is not always meant to be a ringing endorsement. Though I do think Superman is being considered a successful relaunch on most metrics.

Ok…I’ll take you off the poopie list for today