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

[flynnibus]

If you say you don’t like a particular film, and we ask why not, are you seeing that as a challenge? I would truly hope not.

And why does the introspective only appear if someone expresses a dislike or disinterest? Why is favor embraced, but disinterest needs dissection?

People did outline their feelings - but when your followup is disbelief and leading enuendo like ‘there must be more…’ - that is not conversational, that is leading with accusations.

And if you explain why not and your explanation raises more questions and we ask those questions, are you seeing that as a challenge? To me, these are just part of conversation about films

Eventually in any subjective topic you hit a floor and it’s simply preference. Why do you like chocolate or vanilla? When the response keeps coming back with ‘there must be something more…’ you are no longer inquisitive but rather challenging the person’s assertion.

.

And if your responses to these questions come across as vaguely similar to something bad people might say, would you prefer we not say so? Is that what you mean by challenge?

I would tell you if you are conversing with someone you should stick to what they have shown themselves and what is known between you rather than act biased because of other interactions you may have had with others. That’s common decency.

 

[flynnibus]

No one said it to you, you are reading yourself into it and then reacting as if someone said it to you.

Curious. Why do you identify with them?

Who is them?

And the exact things i’ve replied to were topics brought up in response to my posts. So you are wrong

 

[TalkingHead]

It's official. Disney is now in a slump we haven't seen since the early 2000s. Of course, back then the company was able to rely on low budget films like The Princess Diaries and Freaky Friday to turn in a profit, but there isn't a market for those types of movies now. And whereas the Pixar brand somewhat rescued the company in the 2000s while the Disney Animation Studios films flopped, nowadays Pixar is also no longer a sure-fire bet.

I'm confident that the company will eventually recover but I can't forsee things rebounding until at least 2025-2027.

Two things:

1) How many theaters close in the next 4-5 years?

2) Disney has lost invaluable institutional knowledge that was still around in early 2000s. The crew running things today doesn’t seem to have a firm grasp of entertainment basics.

It’s kinda interesting how a movie designed to play into Disney nostalgia is falling on its face. Kinda like the last ten years of Iger have killed a lot of the cultural enthusiasm for Disney nostalgia. Well, good thing that’ll never catch up with Parks and Resorts.

 

[_caleb]

And why does the introspective only appear if someone expresses a dislike or disinterest? Why is favor embraced, but disinterest needs dissection?

I am routinely asked to explain (or even defend) my positive opinions around here, so I’m not sure it’s as one-sided as that. But I could see how it might feel that way because, after all, this is a Disney fan forum.

People did outline their feelings - but when your followup is disbelief and leading enuendo like ‘there must be more…’ - that is not conversational, that is leading with accusations.

I believe some people don’t actually know why they don’t like a film, so I find it interesting to ask. And when their explanations raise more interesting questions, it’s interesting to ask those. Do you not think someone might come to some realization about their own biases, presuppositions, or misunderstandings through discussion? I know I have.

I’m sorry you’ve felt “accused.”

Eventually in any subjective topic you hit a floor and it’s simply preference. Why do you like chocolate or vanilla? When the response keeps coming back with ‘there must be something more…’ you are no longer inquisitive but rather challenging the person’s assertion.

Again, I find it interesting to explore the “why” behind what seem like simple matters of preference. Sometimes (oftentimes), there is something more motivating them. It’s not always something bad. Sometimes, maybe it is.

I would tell you if you are conversing with someone you should stick to what they have shown themselves and what is known between you rather than act biased because of other interactions you may have had with others. That’s common decency.

While I agree with this in theory, it can be particularly difficult if your explanation of your “I don’t like it” sounds even vaguely similar to the explanations given by extremely closed-minded and biased people.

It’s harder still with folks who “like” posts made by those people. Fairly or otherwise, this can make it seem like a debate between two opposing sides rather than a discussion among individuals.

 

[TP2000]

First round of box office is in for Thanksgiving Day, it will be revised to the exact dollar later today. Some movies have not been included yet, like Trolls Band Together, etc. But it's not good news for the Walt Disney Company. Wish looks like it's going to be Disney's 10th film this year to lose money at the box office.

And with a $200 Million production budget and a lavish $100 Million marketing budget, Wish could lose a lot of money.

The Marvels found no legs going into Thanksgiving weekend. Will it even break $100 Million domestically now?

Thanksgiving Day, 11/23/23, Domestic Box Office First Estimate

 

[TP2000]

I’m definitely seeing Napoleon…asap

It’s totally in my wheelhouse anyway…but I didn’t trust Scott

I must confess that I'm quite intrigued by this movie now. I hadn't even heard of it until it started popping up in articles about Thanksgiving box office.

Why was I getting endless Wish ads on YouTube for the past week, but never saw one ad for Napoleon and yet my YouTube account algorithm has plenty of historical documentaries and a few architecture series on French chateaus and the ongoing rebuild of Notre Dame???

I must also confess that I added a healthy splash of French cognac to my fresh cranberry sauce I made yesterday, and it was fabulous as always. I justify it as an ingredient on such an important American holiday because France was our first true ally and a great help in our fight against the British. Also, the Louisiana Purchase turned out to be a great buy. Thanks France!

 

[Animaniac93-98]

It's official. Disney is now in a slump we haven't seen since the early 2000s. Of course, back then the company was able to rely on low budget films like The Princess Diaries and Freaky Friday to turn in a profit, but there isn't a market for those types of movies now.

It dawned on me the other day that High School Musical premiered January 2006, mere months after Iger became CEO, and it's the kind of movie he would never approve of now. An original, live-action TV musical not based on an IP? Forget it. (We only have Descendants because it cross promotes all the existing Disney Princess and Villain stuff)

Disney has slimmed down its film production so much that a handful of disappointments means the entire year's slate is a loss. At some point, this was never going to be sustainable.

Meanwhile Hallmark, A24 and Blumhouse make 600 movies a year and seem to be doing fine. Disney's inability to make low budget, but effective content for various demographics (something they used to do all the time) has finally caught up to them.

 

[Disney Irish]

It dawned on me the other day that High School Musical premiered January 2006, mere months after Iger became CEO, and it's the kind of movie he would never approve of now. An original, live-action TV musical not based on an IP? Forget it. (We only have Descendants because it cross promotes all the existing Disney Princess and Villain stuff)

Disney has slimmed down its film production so much that a handful of disappointments means the entire year's slate is a loss. At some point, this was never going to be sustainable.

Meanwhile Hallmark, A24 and Blumhouse make 600 movies a year and seem to be doing fine. Disney's inability to make low budget, but effective content for various demographics (something they used to do all the time) has finally caught up to them.

Problem I see is if they start making lots of low budget content it'll be seen as Disney Channel content, and you'll see complaints rise about why they don't make higher budget content anymore. Basically they are damned if they do and damned if they don't, there will always be complaints on both sides of the equations.

 

[TalkingHead]

It dawned on me the other day that High School Musical premiered January 2006, mere months after Iger became CEO, and it's the kind of movie he would never approve of now. An original, live-action TV musical not based on an IP? Forget it. (We only have Descendants because it cross promotes all the existing Disney Princess and Villain stuff)

Disney has slimmed down its film production so much that a handful of disappointments means the entire year's slate is a loss. At some point, this was never going to be sustainable.

Meanwhile Hallmark, A24 and Blumhouse make 600 movies a year and seem to be doing fine. Disney's inability to make low budget, but effective content for various demographics (something they used to do all the time) has finally caught up to them.

Even more than acquisitions, this is Iger’s legacy. That and the need to create new franchises from original properties. So a box office failure means there’s also the admission that a new franchise isn’t forthcoming, no sequels, spin-offs, live-action remake.

It’s a house of cards; when you add in the steaming disruption, not sure anybody could step in and fix it at this point. Small comfort but I think all the majors are going to be facing this sooner or later.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Problem I see is if they start making lots of low budget content it'll be seen as Disney Channel content, and you'll see complaints rise about why they don't make higher budget content anymore. Basically they are damned if they do and damned if they don't, there will always be complaints on both sides of the equations.

They’re damned because of a decade of bad decisions under bad management

The “Turkey” took a while to cook

 

[Disney Irish]

They’re damned because of a decade of bad decisions under bad management

The “Turkey” took a while to cook

You have to admit that any Disney low budget (non-20th Century Studios) will be seen as DCOM, no matter who is in charge. For better or for worse DCOM has a negative connotation to it. It has always been seen as "less than" in the eyes of many of the public, and that isn't on Iger as that predates him.

So really the only way to push out low budget content is going to have to be through the 20th Century Studios banner, which they already do.

 

[Tha Realest]

Problem I see is if they start making lots of low budget content it'll be seen as Disney Channel content, and you'll see complaints rise about why they don't make higher budget content anymore. Basically they are damned if they do and damned if they don't, there will always be complaints on both sides of the equations.

The bigger problem is they release $275M tentpoles that look and feel like Disney Channel content.

 

[Disney Irish]

The bigger problem is they release $275M tentpoles that look and feel like Disney Channel content.

Outside of maybe HM (which I think someone posted here), I wouldn't say they felt like DCOM to me.

 

[TalkingHead]

Outside of maybe HM (which I think someone posted here), I wouldn't say they felt like DCOM to me.

SciFi Channel is the more apt comparison.

 

[Tha Realest]

Outside of maybe HM (which I think someone posted here), I wouldn't say they felt like DCOM to me.

 

[Disney Irish]

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I never said individual scenes couldn't have used improvement. I said with the exception of Haunted Mansion they didn't feel like DCOM to me. That is my opinion, you can feel differently if you want.

 

[Ayla]

A lot’s happened since then. Might want to check some current totals and projections.

It was a day and a half ago and I linked to the actual box office numbers for Wednesday.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

That is a perfect description for this:

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That statement doesn’t even make sense.

Also, byeeeee.

 

[Willmark]

^ this is usually used for when people “make a dramatic exit” from a forum or thread, but works equally well for dramatically announcing “I’ve put you on ignore.”

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Let’s give them credit for taking a huge step in rejecting the disastrous strategy of the last few years.

Disney’s diversity chief reportedly exits after ‘woke’ policies controversies

Latondra Newton is reportedly leaving the company — ending a six-year stint that generated controversies as the Mouse House adopted “woke” policies.

nypost.com

It’s hard to argue this…even though some trolls will come in and call us racist bigots…but the results really determine the truth, don’t they?

Nobody here told Disney to go off the reservation and try to “rewrite” what they’re about

They could have done that over time and more effectively…

Instead the studios are a wreck. All of them

That takes some doing