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

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I'm just excited that we got The Hate Network back into the lingo and conversation here.

I'd forgotten how hilarious that alleged phenomenon was!

I’m a Critical Drinker fan and he’s mentioned the hate machine a few times and how much he wishes they actually had the power attributed to them, primarily because if they did the studios would be forced to make better movies. YouTubers like him get good views, often over a million, but in a world of 7 billion people (or even a country of 350 million) their reach is tiny. If a couple million views on YouTube can override the media machine and the hundreds of millions Hollywood spends on advertising then the movie industry is even more doomed than I thought.

 

[BrianLo]

On a different note, with a Taylor Swift original for TS5, can I revise my prediction upwards?

 

[TP2000]

If a couple million views on YouTube can override the media machine and the hundreds of millions Hollywood spends on advertising then the movie industry is even more doomed than I thought.

What's telling is that Mandalorian went flaccid at the global box office right at the same time a micro-budget ($800,000 to produce Obsession) horror movie with no actual marketing had already blown it out of first place based solely on youthful word of mouth.

And a second low-budget ($10 Million to produce Backrooms) horror movie with tiny marketing shunted it down to 3rd place on the same weekend. Again, due to word of mouth on Social Media instead of expensive mega-marketing via corporate algorithm.

The concept of "word of mouth" is even more powerful in the 2020's, when word of mouth isn't just at the water cooler or the end of the bar, it's broadcast via Social Media on iPhones to Billions of people around the planet instantaneously.

If Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu had been some wildly entertaining surprise hit, word of mouth would have surged its second weekend and kept it in first place.

It didn't. Instead, tiny-budget horror movies Obsession and Backrooms with their very strong word of mouth on Social Media quickly bumped it down to a distant third. Even though Burbank secured 4,300 theaters and mega-marketing for Mando.

The Numbers - Where Data and the Movie Business Meet

The Numbers provides detailed movie financial analysis, including box office, DVD and Blu-ray sales reports, and release schedules.

www.the-numbers.com

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

And speaking of films that nobody wanted and will actually bomb its opening weekend -

Masters of the Universe will be an interesting case study.

It's a franchise that has never disappeared completely. The toys have seen re-issues and there was a sequel animated series on Netflix.

In theory it should ride a wave of nostalgia and awareness and perform somewhat well the way Transformers and GI Joe have.

What's the difference? All were based on not so great TV shows that existed to sell toys. Transformers I believe gained longevity and fandom by releasing a movie that was actually high quality compared to the TV show. The toys are cooler too.

Masters of the Universe is actually a fun movie that provides both a serious take on the franchise but also has a lot of humour sprinkled throughout. It doesn't always mesh well but it was a fun time.

Ultimately I found it to be quite good, but not great, and doesn't quite hit the mark where I'd strongly recommend it or foresee word of mouth being good enough to draw crowds.

I saw it because I got free preview tickets, but I was going to wait for streaming otherwise.

 

[TP2000]

Masters of the Universe will be an interesting case study.

It's a franchise that has never disappeared completely. The toys have seen re-issues and there was a sequel animated series on Netflix.

In theory it should ride a wave of nostalgia and awareness and perform somewhat well the way Transformers and GI Joe have.

What's the difference? All were based on not so great TV shows that existed to sell toys. Transformers I believe gained longevity and fandom by releasing a movie that was actually high quality compared to the TV show. The toys are cooler too.

Masters of the Universe is actually a fun movie that provides both a serious take on the franchise but also has a lot of humour sprinkled throughout. It doesn't always mesh well but it was a fun time.

Ultimately I found it to be quite good, but not great, and doesn't quite hit the mark where I'd strongly recommend it or foresee word of mouth being good enough to draw crowds.

This toy/IP was outside of my generational knowledge, and I only know him as the hunky action doll in a fur tunic with the horrible haircut, but I do remember a skit about him on SNL a decade or so ago that was funny.

Other than that, I've got no clue about it. Seems risky with a $170 Million production budget.

Lemme guess... this was greenlit 3 years ago after Barbie hit so big? And the Monday after Barbie premiered they were brainstorming "Old Kitschy Toys We Could Turn Into Movies, But For Guys"? Seems like it must have been.

 

[celluloid]

Scary Movie is what is going to possibly rock the house this weekend going forward as a supporting hit.

It is the most succesful parody/spoof genre outside of Mel Brooks(who has Spaceballs sequel premiering later this year) and not only do those who were into teen raunch and Scream like it when it was the 90s. Modern teen audiences now will go to theaters now for it for same reasons.

 

[TalkingHead]

Masters of the Universe is actually a fun movie that provides both a serious take on the franchise but also has a lot of humour sprinkled throughout. It doesn't always mesh well but it was a fun time.

Ultimately I found it to be quite good, but not great, and doesn't quite hit the mark where I'd strongly recommend it or foresee word of mouth being good enough to draw crowds.

It also has some of the worst trailers I’ve seen for a big-budget spectacle this year. Every time I see it, I think I’m the exact demo for this IP and nothing about the trailers makes me want to see it. If the movie is actually entertaining the marketing team should be reassigned.

 

[parksandtravel]

Masters of the Universe will be an interesting case study.

It's a franchise that has never disappeared completely. The toys have seen re-issues and there was a sequel animated series on Netflix.

In theory it should ride a wave of nostalgia and awareness and perform somewhat well the way Transformers and GI Joe have.

What's the difference? All were based on not so great TV shows that existed to sell toys. Transformers I believe gained longevity and fandom by releasing a movie that was actually high quality compared to the TV show. The toys are cooler too.

Masters of the Universe is actually a fun movie that provides both a serious take on the franchise but also has a lot of humour sprinkled throughout. It doesn't always mesh well but it was a fun time.

Ultimately I found it to be quite good, but not great, and doesn't quite hit the mark where I'd strongly recommend it or foresee word of mouth being good enough to draw crowds.

 

[Bullseye1967]

That is crazy if true.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

On a different note, with a Taylor Swift original for TS5, can I revise my prediction upwards?

Think? Not sure that will move the needle

But I actually think it was gonna over perform anyway.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Masters of the universe is right in my wheelhouse…I’m interested to see how it does?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

That is crazy if true.

It’s a dud…plain and simple

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Masters of the Universe is actually a fun movie that provides both a serious take on the franchise but also has a lot of humour sprinkled throughout. It doesn't always mesh well but it was a fun time.

Ultimately I found it to be quite good, but not great, and doesn't quite hit the mark where I'd strongly recommend it or foresee word of mouth being good enough to draw crowds.

Reviews are now being posted to Rotten Tomatoes

Right now at 77% based on 30 of them

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

It also has some of the worst trailers I’ve seen for a big-budget spectacle this year. Every time I see it, I think I’m the exact demo for this IP and nothing about the trailers makes me want to see it. If the movie is actually entertaining the marketing team should be reassigned.

I thought the same, I was 10-12 (give or take) when the HeMan cartoon was on TV, probably saw every episode, remember vividly some kid would pick up a stick and yell I have the power on a daily basis… this is made for our generation but nothing about the advertising makes me want to go see it in the theater.

I do look forward to catching it on streaming at some point though, it looks fun, just not fun enough to get me to spend $20 and risk an afternoon on it.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

remember vividly some kid would pick up a stick and yell I have the power on a daily basis…

…what were you doing in my backyard, bro?

 

[MisterPenguin]

And speaking of films that nobody wanted and will actually bomb its opening weekend -

You're wrong.

If a movie has IMAX theaters, it will bring in unexpectedly big income!!!!

At least, that's what I've heard.

On these forums.

To explain why movies someone doesn't like does financially well.

So... it has to be true.

 

[MisterPenguin]

the same time a micro-budget ($800,000 to produce Obsession) horror movie with no actual marketing

Its marketing was a very popular meme. So, yeah. It was marketed. Just not in a traditional way.

I would guess that it will have a huge drop-off next week once the memers got their full.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Mainline injections of copium these days inside the igloo?

 

[Baloo124]

Masters of the Universe will be an interesting case study.

It's a franchise that has never disappeared completely. The toys have seen re-issues and there was a sequel animated series on Netflix.

In theory it should ride a wave of nostalgia and awareness and perform somewhat well the way Transformers and GI Joe have.

What's the difference? All were based on not so great TV shows that existed to sell toys. Transformers I believe gained longevity and fandom by releasing a movie that was actually high quality compared to the TV show. The toys are cooler too.

Masters of the Universe is actually a fun movie that provides both a serious take on the franchise but also has a lot of humour sprinkled throughout. It doesn't always mesh well but it was a fun time.

Ultimately I found it to be quite good, but not great, and doesn't quite hit the mark where I'd strongly recommend it or foresee word of mouth being good enough to draw crowds.

I saw it because I got free preview tickets, but I was going to wait for streaming otherwise.

What they've done with Skeletor's voice is unforgivable. At least from what the trailers and commercials indicate.

Any of us self-respecting 80's kids know his true voice and iconic laugh. He's supposed to sound like he's pinching his nose while breathing-in helium... not sound like Venom with a goofy accent.

 

[Nevermore525]

And speaking of films that nobody wanted and will actually bomb its opening weekend -

Project Hail Mary can only do so much to help overcome their flops this year:

Mercy
Melania
Crime 101

The Sheep Detective is not at breakeven and may not get there