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

[Agent H]

Had a good chat today with the manager of a Regal theater. We were at the same event, and he approached me about potential cross-promotion of our businesses.

We have often done promotions where studios give us tickets to give away, but he didn’t want to do that and said corporate was cracking down on free tickets.

I mentioned setting up a table with soundtracks and merchandise - but it turns out they already sell merch. (I’m more familiar with AMC and have not seen that.

He specifically mentioned they are selling a lot of Stitch merch at the moment. (Actually, my store has been moving some Stitch merch as well - not even specifically related to the new version.)

So I have no idea what is left to do for cross-promotion, but we exchanged info.

I asked what he is doing to combat all manner of competition, and his response was basically selling merch and holding events. It could be as simple as setting up coloring stations for kids, etc.

This was all specific to one theater. It will be interesting to see if “exit through the gift shop” becomes a strategy. Of course, IMO, that’s more risk/exposure for the theater when a film tanks.

The amc we frequent regularly makes extra money off games. They used to have old arcade games but now it’s just your standard claw machines with things that for the most part nobody wants.

 

[Disney Irish]

Had a good chat today with the manager of a Regal theater. We were at the same event, and he approached me about potential cross-promotion of our businesses.

We have often done promotions where studios give us tickets to give away, but he didn’t want to do that and said corporate was cracking down on free tickets.

I mentioned setting up a table with soundtracks and merchandise - but it turns out they already sell merch. (I’m more familiar with AMC and have not seen that.

He specifically mentioned they are selling a lot of Stitch merch at the moment. (Actually, my store has been moving some Stitch merch as well - not even specifically related to the new version.)

So I have no idea what is left to do for cross-promotion, but we exchanged info.

I asked what he is doing to combat all manner of competition, and his response was basically selling merch and holding events. It could be as simple as setting up coloring stations for kids, etc.

This was all specific to one theater. It will be interesting to see if “exit through the gift shop” becomes a strategy. Of course, IMO, that’s more risk/exposure for the theater when a film tanks.

I’ve been seeing my local theaters sell a lot more merch too, things like blankets, t-shirts, etc. Makes sense as it’s cheap and can goose the bottom line a bit.

 

[Baloo124]

McDiarmad is totally the star of the movie.

"Now I'll be fairest in the land!"

He was having such fun playing that role, and it showed. Definitely a top-tier villain performance.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I’ve been seeing my local theaters sell a lot more merch too, things like blankets, t-shirts, etc. Makes sense as it’s cheap and can goose the bottom line a bit.

The one by me started selling beer and pizza, that’s a win/win in my opinion.

 

[Disney Irish]

The one by me started selling beer and pizza, that’s a win/win in my opinion.

Mine has had that for quite awhile. But yeah it’s interesting all the additional amenities that theaters are adding to try to get more revenue.

 

[Chi84]

Mine has had that for quite awhile. But yeah it’s interesting all the additional amenities that theaters are adding to try to get more revenue.

Our closest two theaters are “dine-in.”

People who are dining act like they’re in a restaurant.

 

[brideck]

The unsaid part about the growing prequel love is not that they were good, misunderstood, or got better with time…it’s that people are looking for much better now…and this is a side effect.

I think you underestimate just how much people under 30 love the prequel movies (and have always loved them). To those folks, that's their Star Wars. We saw it all the time with our high school kids when we used to coach quiz bowl a few years back.

What remains to be seen is if the kids under 10 right now will ultimately adopt what Disney's putting out as theirs.

 

[Chi84]

I think you underestimate just how much people under 30 love the prequel movies (and have always loved them). To those folks, that's their Star Wars. We saw it all the time with our high school kids when we used to coach quiz bowl a few years back.

What remains to be seen is if the kids under 10 right now will ultimately adopt what Disney's putting out as theirs.

I think Disney needs to leave the “nostalgia” behind and create completely new content if they want kids under 10.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I think you underestimate just how much people under 30 love the prequel movies (and have always loved them). To those folks, that's their Star Wars. We saw it all the time with our high school kids when we used to coach quiz bowl a few years back.

What remains to be seen is if the kids under 10 right now will ultimately adopt what Disney's putting out as theirs.

I think you misunderestimate how much I “think” about Star Wars…and how I studied the reactions of people every step of the way…and how that has changed over time.

I think…you may be underestimating my memory and perceptions. That doesn’t go well…historically.

 

[HoustonHorn]

Our closest two theaters are “dine-in.”

People who are dining act like they’re in a restaurant.

The dine-in/Alamo Drafthouse model has been around for awhile, but hasn't gone fully mainstream. We enjoy doing that.

Alcohol has become more and more prevalent. Gone are the days of flasking in, or getting those cans of Coppola wines for the ladies to smuggle in inside their purses! The mall Cinemark where I saw Sith last night (packed theatre, applause, people talking along with the best lines) has an adult slushy machine where you can get Maker's Mark or Jack Daniels mixed with Coke in icee form. They've had that for awhile, and it's great.

Another odd (to me) thing that I've seen is DoorDash pickup areas outside the concessions. I guess you can order the popcorn (or I guess, other snacks) for a DoorDash pickup? But that's another alternative revenue stream the theatres are trying.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Well, during 2020 they did re-release the Empire Strikes Back for its 40th anniversary right in the middle of covid. There were a few theaters still open. (one guy at the snack bar treating us like we were zombies or something. He temperature checked us and scanned our phone ticket from arm's length! ) We got a private screening of it back then.

I saw that one twice during that run. It reminded me of one of the first times (grammar school) when I was allowed to go to the theater with a friend (and no parents) to see it the first time (when they still had intermissions!)

I didn't hear that, but wouldn't be surprised anymore.

Though according to SNL, some of the movie characters are pretty forgettable, and not drawing the M&G popularity.

Even that SNL episode is 10 years old now!

I’ve been seeing my local theaters sell a lot more merch too, things like blankets, t-shirts, etc. Makes sense as it’s cheap and can goose the bottom line a bit.

I don’t know where they are cheap. My distributor ranges from barely any margin on Lego to somewhere between 30 and 40% on Star Wars action figures, Funko, Super7. The Stitch stuff I brought in recently was on clearance.

I’m sure it’s much cheaper for the importers, well, before tariffs. But I’m sure the theaters are not the importers.

Mine has had that for quite awhile. But yeah it’s interesting all the additional amenities that theaters are adding to try to get more revenue.

It is interesting to see them all in various states of refurbishment/improvement. Even the more basic theaters, when they upgrade, or upgrading to recliners, which obviously leave less room for seating.

We have some with heated recliners. We have some with a menu expanded beyond the typical popcorn and soda, but not quite dine in. We have dine in with full menus and a full bar. Different flavors for different days, I suppose.

The Regal manager expressed: although they are all the same chain, they are somewhat in competition with each other, and are not all doing the same things. There is apparently a new regal theater coming to Sawgrass Mills mall, a huge international tourist destination, and he fears it will pretty certainly impact his business, so he’s trying to get ahead of it now with events and partnerships.

 

[Nubs70]

I insist upon excess profanity.

Have you seen Trailer Park Boys?

First 4 seasons are pretty good.

 

[brideck]

I think you misunderestimate how much I “think” about Star Wars…and how I studied the reactions of people every step of the way…and how that has changed over time.

I think…you may be underestimating my memory and perceptions. That doesn’t go well…historically.

I'm not sure what to make of this incoherent threat, but seeing as you're an old, I just figured that you don't spend a lot of time paying attention to the youth of America... just to the opinions of the OG fans of the franchise <shrug>.

You'd have to say something concrete (Ever) to convince of anything else.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Have you seen Trailer Park Boys?

First 4 seasons are pretty good.

I think a friend showed me an episode or two years ago. Don’t remember much [in general!]

 

[The Lochness Monsta]

I'm not sure what to make of this incoherent threat, but seeing as you're an old, I just figured that you don't spend a lot of time paying attention to the youth of America... just to the opinions of the OG fans of the franchise <shrug>.

You'd have to say something concrete (Ever) to convince of anything else.

I think you're seeing things that aren't there. That doesn't seem like a threat to me. Just a statement.

Besides what do you know about the youth of America? You're 45 years old! Not exactly a spring chicken.

 

[Prince-1]

I think you misunderestimate how much I “think” about Star Wars…and how I studied the reactions of people every step of the way…and how that has changed over time.

I think…you may be underestimating my memory and perceptions. That doesn’t go well…historically.

I will say this narcissistic rant did make me laugh. Especially the weird little “threat” at the end. Bravo!!

 

[Baloo124]

I'm not sure what to make of this incoherent threat

I will say this narcissistic rant did make me laugh. Especially the weird little “threat” at the end. Bravo!!

I once was foolish enough to underestimate his memory and perceptions.
The very next time I stepped outdoors, this was what I saw...

Do NOT make the same mistake I did.
Take his memory and perceptions with great seriousness or become another statistic.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I will say this narcissistic rant did make me laugh. Especially the weird little “threat” at the end. Bravo!!

You can laugh all you want

I’m a pest…but never accused of “not thinking”. Because some don’t often like what I say…doesn’t make dismissal valid.

What annoys those that have dust flakes for breakfast is that it gets proven out in far too many cases. Hit the button and don’t waste your time anymore

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I'm not sure what to make of this incoherent threat, but seeing as you're an old, I just figured that you don't spend a lot of time paying attention to the youth of America... just to the opinions of the OG fans of the franchise <shrug>.

You'd have to say something concrete (Ever) to convince of anything else.

It’s not a threat at all…

I’m just not the right target for “…I think you underestimate”…in the majority of cases. You do you.

Are you under the impression I didn’t live through the prequel era? Like I didn’t read about the development/news in the press (the actual press…the internet had nothing) in the mid 90’s and didn’t sit by the computer waiting for the little trailer to drop on medieval YouTube in 1998 and didn’t go watch meet Joe Black to see the trailer? Like I went all in…and I didn’t wait all day in the rain (no presales) and realize at 1:00 am that it was one of the WORST movies I’d ever seen (until Disney held its beer)…

You don’t have to agree with anything I say. Nobody does. But I know where my lane is and it’s too crowded for multiple vehicles.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I think Disney needs to leave the “nostalgia” behind and create completely new content if they want kids under 10.

Trying to “reinvent” the fanbase has caused financial damage to it on a huge scale now twice…

Think the third time is a charm?

Because what made it work originally was it wasn’t for 5 year olds…even with Ewoks…in many ways it was the secondary market. Which it why it made enough money to fill scrooges money bin. And it’s those same movies that sell still to this day…not the Daisy Ridley crap (look, ask around)