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

[dreday3]

I think he’s making the point that another of her creations, Snow White, is already being written off as terrible by those who have an axe to grind with Disney.

I did not know that! Oh boy...I don't know. I like her stuff, but everyone makes a clunker now and then.

That leaked photo and rumor of Heigh Ho being a pop/hip-hop version doesn't give me much hope for it. But like I said in another thread, I could be wrong and it could turn out to be great so we'll have to wait and see.
That picture though, it's so, so bad.

 

[drizgirl]

I think you can partly thank the (very annoying) Barbenheimer social media influence for some of the big numbers. It turned it into a thing.

Disney puts a lot of effort into social media. Why haven't they created their own "thing"?

 

[dreday3]

Disney puts a lot of effort into social media. Why haven't they created their own "thing"?

I have no idea if they do or don't.

 

[drizgirl]

I agree, while I didn't think it would do well initially I'm happy overall that Barbie is doing well. I did see it on Thursday, and while I thought it was just ok may a 7 out of 10 in my book, I can see its appeal to others. Again the question will be if this is just a huge opening weekend and then fall off, or if it'll have legs through the summer, we'll see.

If my mom kept my childhood Barbies, I could probably come up with a few spare legs for the film.

 

[LittleBuford]

I did not know that! Oh boy...I don't know. I like her stuff, but everyone makes a clunker now and then.

That leaked photo and rumor of Heigh Ho being a pop/hip-hop version doesn't give me much hope for it. But like I said in another thread, I could be wrong and it could turn out to be great so we'll have to wait and see.
That picture though, it's so, so bad.

The leaked photos don’t look good to me either, but it’s worth noting that the film’s costume designer is Sandy Powell, the same as for Cinderella. Perhaps, as you say, these otherwise proven and talented individuals have produced a dud on this occasion, but I think people are putting an awful lot of emphasis on a few (admittedly bad) pictures when it would be better to wait for more information before forming a reasonable judgement (which I know is what you’re saying to do anyway).

 

[drizgirl]

I'm not sure what lessons to take from that more broadly, though. "Just make better films" doesn't seem it, as presumably the studios all think they're making great films and there's not exactly a science to knowing what will hit with the public. I saw the new Mission: Impossible film this past weekend and, while I don't really follow the series closely, I have no idea why that has underperformed as it seems to be entirely the kind of thrill-ride summer blockbuster that should do well.

I haven't seen MI7 yet, but am looking forward to it, probably this week. My working theory is that studios are just riding these franchises too hard and too long. And while Tom Cruise looks great for 60, he's 60. Just like it was great to see Harrison Ford as Indy again, he's 80. I think it's possible that while a 2 or 3 film series is great and can keep audiences, maybe they're just taking it too far these days going back to the well.

 

[dreday3]

I haven't seen MI7 yet, but am looking forward to it, probably this week. My working theory is that studios are just riding these franchises too hard and too long. And while Tom Cruise looks great for 60, he's 60. Just like it was great to see Harrison Ford as Indy again, he's 80. I think it's possible that while a 2 or 3 film series is great and can keep audiences, maybe they're just taking it too far these days going back to the well.

Tom Cruise makes movies for fans as well as himself. That guy genuinely loves what he does and it shows. I am an unabashed Tom Cruise fan and will watch anything he does! I hope makes movies as long as he can. He's one of the last movie stars that can draw box office just with his name. Even if this latest isn't the greatest box office wise.

Knight and Day is such an underrated film. It was really funny. Edge of Tomorrow was also fantastic.

Tom Cruise will save us all.

 

[Ghost93]

The leaked photos don’t look good to me either, but it’s worth noting that the film’s costume designer is Sandy Powell, the same as for Cinderella. Perhaps, as you say, these otherwise proven and talented individuals have produced a dud on this occasion, but I think people are putting an awful lot of emphasis on a few (admittedly bad) pictures when it would be better to wait for more information before forming a reasonable judgement (which I know is what you’re saying to do anyway).

Agreed. While I think the leaked Snow White pics don't look good, they might work out just fine in the context of the actual movie.

As for why Barbie is a success and not Disney movies, I do think marketing is part of it. But I also think — despite being based on a profitable toy and being signed off on by Mattel — the movie actually feels like a work of art. It's director Greta Gerwig's vision through and through. And that is refreshing to audiences.

Most Disney blockbuster movies are franchises, and I think audiences are getting "franchise fatigue." We previously thought it was just "superhero fatigue," but the box office failures of Faxt X, Indy 5 and Mission Impossible 7 seem to show audience resentment/exhaustion toward franchises. Probably because they can feel like factory-made products rather than works of art. Top Gun Maverick and Avatar: The Way of Water don't apply, as they were first-time sequels to movies that came out so long ago that audiences hadn't gotten sick of the IP yet.

Also, people on this site have attributed "wokeness" to harming Disney, but I don't think that can be a sole factor as the Barbie movie is MUCH more "woke" than anything Disney has made in the past four years, yet is doing phenomenal at the box office and getting critical acclaim. Maybe most audiences don't mind movies being "woke" if the movie is actually good?

 

[LittleBuford]

Maybe most audiences don't mind movies being "woke" if the movie is actually good?

I don’t think it’s audiences who are driving the discourse as much as a few loud and influential commentators and outlets who are rather selective in who they target.

 

[dreday3]

Agreed. While I think the leaked Snow White pics don't look good, they might work out just fine in the context of the actual movie.

As for why Barbie is a success and not Disney movies, I do think marketing is part of it. But I also think — despite being based on a profitable toy and being signed off on by Mattel — the movie actually feels like a work of art. It's director Greta Gerwig's vision through and through. And that is refreshing to audiences.

Most Disney blockbuster movies are franchises, and I think audiences are getting "franchise fatigue." We previously thought it was just "superhero fatigue," but the box office failures of Faxt X, Indy 5 and Mission Impossible 7 seem to show audience resentment/exhaustion toward franchises. Probably because they can feel like factory-made products rather than works of art. Top Gun Maverick and Avatar: The Way of Water don't apply, as they were first-time sequels to movies that came out so long ago that audiences hadn't gotten sick of the IP yet.

Also, people on this site have attributed "wokeness" to harming Disney, but I don't think that can be a sole factor as the Barbie movie is MUCH more "woke" than anything Disney has made in the past four years, yet is doing phenomenal at the box office and getting critical acclaim. Maybe most audiences don't mind movies being "woke" if the movie is actually good?

Also, Barbie isn't a remake of a classic. It's a stand-alone movie. There is nothing to compare it to, so you don't have the same issue that Disney does with their live action remakes. When you have something you hold dear from childhood (7 Dwarves), it's natural to see a rebrand such as what we've seen so far with the photoe and have a reaction. But like you said, if the writing is good and the movie is good, it's something I can look past and enjoy the movie.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Yes, the one that was untrue was after that where you stated:
"It has lasted longer than any other IP based franchise."

There’s some weird personal attachment to it. Like it’s got some lease on life it will never have. Movies. Pop culture. Seasons change.

MCU is going into its remake and spinoff phase.

Potter has just been around ten plus years longer.

So you have a other qualifier now. Spinoffs and remakes do or don't count?

Lord of The Rings as well.

Current MCU ve tires can't even top Songs Spidey. So they are on the down slope.

Definitely the momentum has been lost. Disney has a problem.

MCU is not doing "remakes" of itself, so not sure where you got that idea. And I never mentioned "spinoff", which clearly the D+ shows are spinoffs of the movies. Also I said "reboot", as in starting over which the Wizarding World is doing and the MCU is not -

Harry Potter: The Pros and Cons of Rebooting the Series

While the idea of seeing Harry, Ron, and Hermione together again is exciting, there are some major drawbacks to rebooting Harry Potter on HBO Max.

movieweb.com

What is it marvel is making that you believe audiences want to see? Currently

They need a major reset. As in don’t think this fringe stuff is gonna keep interest until you “get around” to more big name stuff.

Better get to it. Or start signing checks for triumphant returns…

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Maybe most audiences don't mind movies being "woke" if the movie is actually good?

There has been a rather large backlash - it appears - for “fun without attachment”. Disney will have to figure out a way to bridge both worlds. “Powering through” has fallen flat in about 5 years…

I don’t think it’s audiences who are driving the discourse as much as a few loud and influential commentators and outlets who are rather selective in who they target.

Wait…can you check with ALL five guys in moms basement who cause tens if not hundreds of millions of people to not buy tickets? Their mind powers must be like Professor X

Or maybe dark Phoenix?

 

[LittleBuford]

Wait…can you check with ALL five guys in moms basement who cause tens if not hundreds of millions of people to not buy tickets? Their mind powers must be like Professor X

Or maybe dark Phoenix?

You misunderstand me. I don’t believe the discourse I’m referring to drives or represses ticket sales to any significant extent. The reason more people didn’t see Lightyear, for example, is that it was dull and boring. But such an explanation is too dry for certain commentators and outlets, who instead insist that people stayed away from the film for ideological reasons. A lot of fuss is thus created (often in bad faith) in service of a tendentious narrative that has almost nothing to do with the tastes and attitudes of viewers themselves.

By the way, you could have asked me to clarify my point without resorting to sarcasm and snark.

 

[GimpYancIent]

Per Business Insider:
""Barbie" looks like it's blowing "Oppenheimer" out of the water this weekend as movie fans flock to see Margot Robbie play Mattel's plastic doll, although it seems both films are doing even better than their studios had hoped.
According to studio projections seen by The Hollywood Reporter, Greta Gerwig's film is heading for a $155 million domestic opening weekend, while Christopher Nolan's atomic bomb epic is set to take $77 million.
Internationally, "Barbie" is eyeing an additional $120 million to bring the total to $275 million, while "Oppenheimer" is expected to take in $89 million for a $166 million tally.
That means the first outing in the "Mattel Cinematic Universe" will outstrip Nolan by more than $100 million."

The competition for these films is each other. Other productions like "The Little Mermaid" are now off the radar.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Per Business Insider:
""Barbie" looks like it's blowing "Oppenheimer" out of the water this weekend as movie fans flock to see Margot Robbie play Mattel's plastic doll, although it seems both films are doing even better than their studios had hoped.
According to studio projections seen by The Hollywood Reporter, Greta Gerwig's film is heading for a $155 million domestic opening weekend, while Christopher Nolan's atomic bomb epic is set to take $77 million.
Internationally, "Barbie" is eyeing an additional $120 million to bring the total to $275 million, while "Oppenheimer" is expected to take in $89 million for a $166 million tally.
That means the first outing in the "Mattel Cinematic Universe" will outstrip Nolan by more than $100 million."

The competition for these films is each other. Other productions like "The Little Mermaid" are now off the radar.

I think both are over performing.

Oppenheimer isn’t the type of movie to make $200 mil and have lines down the street

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

You misunderstand me. I don’t believe the discourse I’m referring to drives or represses ticket sales to any significant extent. The reason more people didn’t see Lightyear, for example, is that it was dull and boring. But such an explanation is too dry for certain commentators and outlets, who instead insist that people stayed away from the film for ideological reasons. A lot of fuss is thus created (often in bad faith) in service of a tendentious narrative that has almost nothing to do with the tastes and attitudes of viewers themselves.

By the way, you could have asked me to clarify my point without resorting to sarcasm and snark.

Well…I’m really responding past you…not at you. We have had some really silly narratives these last couple of months. Normalcy will return…I hope.

And sarcasm is born of lecturing/patronization. We have thousands of pages of that…a lot of them the movie stuff recently

We have too much of all of it.

 

[Tha Realest]

The entire stated point of Barbie was to make Mattel the next Marvel. That won't work in the long term, but the massive success of this weekend guarantees they'll try for a while.

This is an interesting phenomena. So many of their properties that became TV shows and cartoons gained a cultural foothold as they were thinly disguised commercials to sell their toys. Now, a generation or two layer, that same company is cashing in on the nostalgia those earlier productions generated.

Per Business Insider:
""Barbie" looks like it's blowing "Oppenheimer" out of the water this weekend as movie fans flock to see Margot Robbie play Mattel's plastic doll, although it seems both films are doing even better than their studios had hoped.
According to studio projections seen by The Hollywood Reporter, Greta Gerwig's film is heading for a $155 million domestic opening weekend, while Christopher Nolan's atomic bomb epic is set to take $77 million.
Internationally, "Barbie" is eyeing an additional $120 million to bring the total to $275 million, while "Oppenheimer" is expected to take in $89 million for a $166 million tally.
That means the first outing in the "Mattel Cinematic Universe" will outstrip Nolan by more than $100 million."

The competition for these films is each other. Other productions like "The Little Mermaid" are now off the radar.

Yes. And the word of mouth is going tn envelope Haunted Mansion.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I'd say we're guaranteed to get Hot Wheels and He-Man. Barney is already in production. Fisher-Price, American Girl, Street Sharks, Dino Riders, Polly Pocket are all possibles. I'd also expect Mattel to try and acquire other film-ready IP. This is their whole corporate strategy - as I mentioned, they're already building the theme park.

If they start another he man universe, I hope they’re able to work with dreamworks to include She-Ra (they own both the live action and animated rights to the character). The reboot on Netflix was very well done, and with he man could be an interesting live action cinematic universe to visit.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Yes. And the word of mouth is going tn envelope Haunted Mansion.

I really hope that’s a pleasant surprise

Trailers make it look like a remake of the Eddie Murphy movie though. Which isn’t as bad as it’s rep…but not a lot of “fun and free” disney appreciation out there on the street right now.

 

[drizgirl]

Also, people on this site have attributed "wokeness" to harming Disney, but I don't think that can be a sole factor as the Barbie movie is MUCH more "woke" than anything Disney has made in the past four years, yet is doing phenomenal at the box office and getting critical acclaim. Maybe most audiences don't mind movies being "woke" if the movie is actually good?

Part of it is overlooking some things if the movie is really good. A lot of it actually.

A big part of it is that Disney is seen as the preeminent producer of children's entertainment. Barbie is not a kids' movie. That makes a difference.

Part of is figuring out that you can't boycott everything that's "woke" or you'll have almost no entertainment left. So I think boycotts have been selective for effect.