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

[Tony the Tigger]

As for me, other than being something I saw and will watch the sequels, I don't have much love for the franchise as a whole. So I have no "dog in this fight" as it were. I'm just a neutral observer to this calling the reality of the landscape, and calling out those that like to downplay it.

Same. Don’t hate it, don’t really connect with it, don’t get the hype. But again, seeing Jaws, Star Wars and Empire in theaters before I turned 10 ruined movies for me for the rest of my life.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Just saw Superman.

We enjoyed it, I did appreciate the heart. The cgi dog was probably one of the best cgi characters I’ve ever seen.

At the same time, I think the positive buzz got my hopes up a little bit too high. It was very good, but not this big, uplifting thing.

Jurassic World remains the one to beat this year for me. FF will probably be delayed, we’ll be out of town most of next week.

 

[CoastalElite64]

Just saw Superman.

We enjoyed it, I did appreciate the heart. The cgi dog was probably one of the best cgi characters I’ve ever seen.

At the same time, I think the positive buzz got my hopes up a little bit too high. It was very good, but not this big, uplifting thing.

Jurassic World remains the one to beat this year for me. FF will probably be delayed, we’ll be out of town most of next week.

To be fair the bar for a good Superman movie was very low. It's easily the best since Reeve's Superman.

 

[DKampy]

In response to people nerding out over pop culture fandoms…. It seems those people only need out for whatever they are nostalgic for…. It is the same reasons studios keep looking towards the past for films to greenlit

Avatar is interesting…. For most of the year people say no one cares about Avatar… but I recall with the last sequel… a few people on the forums declaring it one of the
Best films of the year and seeing it multiple times in the Theater

Also princess and the Frog is definitely more popular then when it was first release. … probably due to the kids who watched growing into adults…. All these years later I still see merch in the stores…. I would guess Disney has those numbers too…. I am sure they sell more Tiana merch than Brer Rabbit

 

[TP2000]

Presales have been good for F4, which is why the prediction is higher than other recent Disney movies.

Ticket presales have been available for what, six weeks? And they put out a casting call for three humans in LA, designed a suit for whatever that rock guy is, and got everyone hired and tailored into their costumes in a month? Plus designed and approved for in-park use an autonomous robot?

I'm thinking it took at least six months to get this designed, approved by Legal, and into the park roaming among guests.

So my question remains, how did they know Elio and Snow White would bomb , but The Fantastic Four stood a chance at breaking even?

 

[Disney Irish]

Ticket presales have been available for what, six weeks? And they put out a casting call for three humans in LA, designed a suit for whatever that rock guy is, and got everyone hired and tailored into their costumes in a month? Plus designed and approved for in-park use an autonomous robot?

I'm thinking it took at least six months to get this designed, approved by Legal, and into the park roaming among guests.

So my question remains, how did they know Elio and Snow White would bomb , but The Fantastic Four stood a chance at breaking even?

They didn't know. Maybe with something like Elio they suspected it might under perform given the history with animated sci-fi. And so didn't go all out on it like they are doing here. But they didn't know it or any other movie would flop at the box office.

Also the F4 M&G at Disneyland was announced back in March at SXSW, so its not like this is somehow just new recently approved. They have been planning this for a long time, long before Elio or Snow was even released to theaters. And if you recall Snow was given a big marketing push too. So its not like they didn't do anything for it.

I think you're trying to build some conspiracy theory out of nothing. Just like the picture of the NYSE President at Disneyland with Iger and hoping it was a secret scandal. You seem really bored and trying to create drama where none exist.

 

[brideck]

That would be a lot of retirees in order to watch ~11B (that is Billion with a B) minutes of Gunsmoke in 6 months. So is that like the whole state of Florida staying indoors watching Gunsmoke and nothing else?

Sorry you’re not going to be able to convince me this isn’t anything but a background playing of a 70 year old show.

That's only a million episodes streamed a day and there are a lot of boomers out there. The MeTV daytime airing of Gunsmoke reportedly pulls in 600,000 viewers daily. Seems plausible to me, but we're far away from box office talk here. This all probably should have been in the Nielsen thread.

 

[erasure fan1]

But like Yellowstone I think it has more impact than it is given credit for.

Personally I think a lot of people are confusing what's meant by pop culture impact. Avatar had an impact for sure. Things like effects work, the 3d... All top notch. And again, it didn't have no pop culture impact. I would have expected more from the biggest film in history.

The land really, really outperformed.

As I said, I think the land has given Avatar more pop culture impact than the film itself. The land looks awesome and has a great ride. Even if you are just meh with the movies, it's just cool to walk around the environment.

 

[Disney Irish]

That's only a million episodes streamed a day and there are a lot of boomers out there. The MeTV daytime airing of Gunsmoke reportedly pulls in 600,000 viewers daily. Seems plausible to me, but we're far away from box office talk here. This all probably should have been in the Nielsen thread.

I still think you over estimate how many people are actually invested in the show now today in 2025 rather than it just being a background show like I mentioned. ~11B minutes streamed is a lot, and MeTV only broadcasts the show for 2 hours a day which isn't even included in that list. So there is clearly more than a few that just have it on in the background on Peacock and Paramount+. Which by the way isn't some slight on the show, many old shows have become background shows for many people. Just something you have on in the background while doing stuff around the house. Sometimes you watch it, sometimes you end up doing other things, but its always on, its a comfort show. Which clearly Gunsmoke is to many.

 

[BrianLo]

Or it's retirees like my dad who are actually sitting around and watching stuff like Gunsmoke on the regular. Not background for them (unless you count alternating between actively watching and napping as being on in the background), although I am a little surprised that one of the modern contributions to the genre, like Yellowstone, isn't on the list instead.

It just doesn’t have a triple digit number of episodes. The commonality apart from the hot-hot new releases. Yellowstone in isolation has popped up multiple times on weekly lists.

 

[BrianLo]

Also princess and the Frog is definitely more popular then when it was first release. … probably due to the kids who watched growing into adults…. All these years later I still see merch in the stores…. I would guess Disney has those numbers too…. I am sure they sell more Tiana merch than Brer Rabbit

Seems to be a mid tier princess to me. The top formerly dominated by Belle and Ariel and now Moana the clear current number 1 (Frozen - though not in the Princess line).

I too see strong evidence of her around the parks. Rapunzel is above her; Aurora, Raya, Pocahontas, Merida and Mulan are definitely below. Jasmine isn’t the protagonist of her film, but is mid tier. Seems on the level with Cindy from a 2025 lens.

 

[Hawkeye_2018]

I know it’s just an end credit scene but no reason not to have Thunderbolts on Dis+ by now

 

[Disney Irish]

I know it’s just an end credit scene but no reason not to have Thunderbolts on Dis+ by now

Disney still has the longest lead time for putting new content up on their streaming platform to give every opportunity for it to make money at every possible revenue stream before its "free".

So yeah there is a reason, a business reason, they want you to pay to see it if you don't want to be spoiled before the next movie is released.

 

[Hawkeye_2018]

Disney still has the longest lead time for putting new content up on their streaming platform to give every opportunity for it to make money at every possible revenue stream before its "free".

So yeah there is a reason, a business reason, they want you to pay to see it if you don't want to be spoiled before the next movie is released.

I get it. But at this point I question how much money Thunderbolts is making on VOD and if it’s not more valuable on Dis+ in keeping or getting subscribers

 

[Disney Irish]

I get it. But at this point I question how much money Thunderbolts is making on VOD and if it’s not more valuable on Dis+ in keeping or getting subscribers

Dunno. But clearly they have data that shows its making money otherwise they'd have rushed it to D+ prior to F4 being released.

 

[TP2000]

They didn't know. Maybe with something like Elio they suspected it might under perform given the history with animated sci-fi. And so didn't go all out on it like they are doing here. But they didn't know it or any other movie would flop at the box office.

Also the F4 M&G at Disneyland was announced back in March at SXSW, so its not like this is somehow just new recently approved.

Yes, exactly. These types of Meet N' Greets take a long time to design, approve, cast, and get into the parks. They knew long before pre-sale tickets were available they were going to do this with The Fantastic Four. And the robot thing adds at least a year to that process. They went all in on this one, a long time ago.

They have been planning this for a long time, long before Elio or Snow was even released to theaters. And if you recall Snow was given a big marketing push too. So its not like they didn't do anything for it.

But they completely panned Elio and Snow White in the parks. Nothing happened. How did they know they shouldn't bother with those two so far in advance? I'd love to know the process and long lead timeline it takes to make that type of marketing decision about a mega-budget movie, wouldn't you?

I think you're trying to build some conspiracy theory out of nothing. Just like the picture of the NYSE President at Disneyland with Iger and hoping it was a secret scandal. You seem really bored and trying to create drama where none exist.

You seem notably struggling to identify humor lately. I hope you have some time off planned for this summer!

For those keeping score at home, the NYSE Sex Scandal he's referencing came from this obviously joking post of mine over on the Disneyland side (where there's only about a dozen of us left, and we joke a lot). SPOILERS: The President of the NYSE and Bob Iger were not actually caught in a sex scandal on Main Street USA last week for Disneyland's 70th, unlike that CEO and his HR Exec caught on the stadium Kiss Cam. But, with her fabulous Saks Fifth Avenue dress and $950 Manolo Blahnik strappy shoes the lady absolutely nailed it for her Disneyland fashion debut! Brava!

Post in thread 'Disneyland 70th Anniversary Thread - Wishlist, Rumors, Speculation, Announcements'

Jul 21, 2025

Okay, but seriously, who was the lady at the 70th ceremony standing between Mr. Iger and Mickey Mouse?

I tried to Google Image her identity, but Google was stumped and could only offer me that her dress came from Saks 5th Avenue and was $754 (last season, ahem) and her shoes are Manolo Blahnik's and cost her $945 (last season, ahem). So it's a $1,700 outfit for Disneyland's 70th. I'd love to think her wristwatch is a genuine Cartier lady's Tank, to add about $12,000 to her July 17th tab.

Even if it was primarily last season, the lady nailed it.

But who is she? And why did...

• TP2000

• 
• 

 

[Disney Irish]

Yes, exactly. These types of Meet N' Greets take a long time to design, approve, cast, and get into the parks. They knew long before pre-sale tickets were available they were going to do this with The Fantastic Four. And the robot thing adds at least a year to that process. They went all in on this one, a long time ago.



But they completely panned Elio and Snow White in the parks. Nothing happened. How did they know they shouldn't bother with those two so far in advance? I'd love to know the process and long lead timeline it takes to make that type of marketing decision about a mega-budget movie, wouldn't you?

So wait, Snow White isn't in the Parks anymore? Since when? I was just there over the weekend and saw her. So is that a recent cut? Or you just making stuff up again.

I think what you mean is that Elio just didn't have a presence. And to answer that, MANY Disney movies don't have a presence in the Parks, especially since late 2010s and beyond. So its not really unusual. As for how they decide which do and which don't, that is above any of our pay grades. So can't answer that for you, and no one here can.

But given they usually do something for the MCU movies, even the ones that flop, it should be assumed they'd have something for the latest MCU movie.

You seem notably struggling to identify humor lately. I hope you have some time off planned for this summer!

No, I know that everything is just a big joke to you, but also know that everything you post also has just a bit of disdain and dash of contempt.

And I just came back from a vacation to Disneyland thank you.

For those keeping score at home, the NYSE Sex Scandal he's referencing came from this obviously joking post of mine over on the Disneyland side (where there's only about a dozen of us left, and we joke a lot). SPOILERS: The President of the NYSE and Bob Iger were not actually caught in a sex scandal on Main Street USA last week for Disneyland's 70th, unlike that CEO and his HR Exec caught on the stadium Kiss Cam. But, with her fabulous Saks Fifth Avenue dress and $950 Manolo Blahnik strappy shoes the lady absolutely nailed it for her Disneyland fashion debut! Brava!

Post in thread 'Disneyland 70th Anniversary Thread - Wishlist, Rumors, Speculation, Announcements'

Jul 21, 2025

Okay, but seriously, who was the lady at the 70th ceremony standing between Mr. Iger and Mickey Mouse?

I tried to Google Image her identity, but Google was stumped and could only offer me that her dress came from Saks 5th Avenue and was $754 (last season, ahem) and her shoes are Manolo Blahnik's and cost her $945 (last season, ahem). So it's a $1,700 outfit for Disneyland's 70th. I'd love to think her wristwatch is a genuine Cartier lady's Tank, to add about $12,000 to her July 17th tab.

Even if it was primarily last season, the lady nailed it.

But who is she? And why did...

• TP2000

• 
• 

Yes but why did your mind automatically go to a sex scandal, joke or no joke. I mean you literally said this "I'd love for this to be a Kiss Cam sex scandal like what happened to that idiot HR Lady and her CEO in Boston". Rather than being what it was which was a boring business activity surrounding the actual opening bell of the NYSE. Heck you didn't even know she was the head of the NYSE until I told you. Which means you didn't really even look, you just automatically assumed it was some scandal, as I even question that "image search" and if you even did it, as there are plenty of pictures of her out on the internet which Google would have found.

 

[TP2000]

So wait, Snow White isn't in the Parks anymore? Since when? I was just there over the weekend and saw her. So is that a recent cut? Or you just making stuff up again.

I meant Rachel Zegler's Snow White, the mega-budget live action remake of the animated classic. They didn't do a thing for it in the parks. They spent over $300 Million just to produce that movie, but then pretended it didn't exist? Not even a window display at Carthay Circle Theater?

How did they know it was going to bomb so far in advance, and what caused them to not pull the trigger on parks marketing for it?

Yes but why did your mind automatically go to a sex scandal, joke or no joke.

Because that was the same time that CEO and his HR Lady got caught at a "Coldplay" concert on the Kiss Cam. It was a thing that happened in pop culture, so I referenced it. Obviously the lady standing next to Bob Iger on Disneyland's 70th wasn't caught in a sex scandal like the Kiss Cam thing.

Also, as I explained in that thread, sex scandals are my all-time favorite kind of scandal.

Rather than being what it was which was a boring business activity surrounding the actual opening bell of the NYSE. Heck you didn't even know she was the head of the NYSE until I told you.

Yes, and I noted that. I have been investing in the stock market for decades and keep up on my portfolio regularly, but if you asked me at any time in the past 40 years to pick the current President of the NYSE out of a crowd, I wouldn't be able to. Nor would I know their name. That the photo had no NYSE branding on it made it even more obscure.

Do they offer a set of NYSE Presidents Trading Cards I'm not aware of?

Which means you didn't really even really look, you just automatically assumed it was some scandal, as I even question that "image search" and if you even did it, as there are plenty of pictures of her out on the internet which Google would have found.

Is that how you knew she was the President of the NYSE, a Google Image search? Or was it your trading cards?

When I did a Google Image search on that photo, the only info Google gave me was how to recreate her look via a trip to Saks 5th Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman's. I tried to zoom in on her face for Google, but her hand was in the way too much. Which is when I noticed the Cartier lady's Tank on her wrist. Honestly, she nailed it for the 70th!

 

[Disney Irish]

I meant Rachel Zegler's Snow White, the mega-budget live action remake of the animated classic. They didn't do a thing for it in the parks. They spent over $300 Million just to produce that movie, but then pretended it didn't exist? Not even a window display at Carthay Circle Theater?

How did they know it was going to bomb so far in advance, and what caused them to not pull the trigger on parks marketing for it?

How would that be any different than the normal Snow White meet and greet that happens daily at Disneyland or WDW? I mean its suppose to be the same basic Snow White right? This is not like Bailey's Ariel which is clearly meant to be different for obvious reasons, who actually did have her own meet and greet by the way when the movie was released.

I think you're really grasping at straws here, just looking for things to nitpick about. Elio yes didn't have a specific meet and greet or anything at the Parks, and maybe they should have, but again not unusual. But Snow is already represented in the Parks, having her own ride and meet and greets. So its not like they really needed to have something dedicated just for this particular movie representation of the characters since she is still the same.

Because that was the same time that CEO and his HR Lady got caught at a "Coldplay" concert on the Kiss Cam. It was a thing that happened in pop culture, so I referenced it. Obviously the lady standing next to Bob Iger on Disneyland's 70th wasn't caught in a sex scandal like the Kiss Cam thing.

Except there was no indication of that happening here. And the fact that you hoped there was is more an indication of you rather than the actual activity in which the two people involved. Both of whom were not even shown to be in any compromising position.

Yes, and I noted that. I have been investing in the stock market for decades and keep up on my portfolio regularly, but if you asked me at any time in the past 40 years to pick the current President of the NYSE out of a crowd, I wouldn't be able to. Nor would I know their name. That the photo had no NYSE branding on it made it even more obscure.

Do they offer a set of NYSE Presidents Trading Cards I'm not aware of?



Is that how you knew she was the President of the NYSE, a Google Image search? Or was it your trading cards?

When I did a Google Image search on that photo, the only info Google gave me was how to recreate her look via a trip to Saks 5th Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman's. I tried to zoom in on her face for Google, but her hand was in the way too much. Which is when I noticed the Cartier lady's Tank on her wrist. Honestly, she nailed it for the 70th!

View attachment 872419

Or maybe if you would have done your normal "8 second" search like you normally do you would have found out -

But me thinks you didn't really want to find out, instead rather hoping it was a scandal.

Google image search is limited in people searches by the way, which is why it went for the dress rather than her face.....

 

[TP2000]

Except there was no indication of that happening here. And the fact that you hoped there was is more an indication of you rather than the actual activity in which the two people involved. Both of whom were not even shown to be in any compromising position.

Or maybe if you would have done your normal "8 second" search like you normally do you would have found out -

But me thinks you didn't really want to find out, instead rather hoping it was a scandal.

The ability to not identify any hint of (attempted) humor, or be able to pick up on the not-entirely-serious context and nature of an otherwise well written post is astounding to me. Whether its Box Office, or Halloween costumes, or Lady Execs.

No one, not even me, actually thought it was a workplace sex scandal playing out on Main Street USA for Disneyland's 70th Anniversary event, by the way. As much fun as that would have been.

Post in thread 'Disneyland 70th Anniversary Thread - Wishlist, Rumors, Speculation, Announcements'

Jul 18, 2025

A few show notes here...

• I appreciate that TDA President Du Jour is wearing a proper business suit, and Bob and Sidekick Tightpants have transitioned from their cheesy Dad Jeans N' Sneaks to wool gabardine trousers and dress shoes.
• And not a carb in sight for either Bob or Sidekick Tightpants! That takes work, especially at their age.
• Who is the lady on the right? Some new TDA Exec we've never heard of? A Burbank type? Bob's side hustle? Does Willow know? Is this like that CEO just caught on the...

• TP2000

•