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

[celluloid]

Aquaman (and the DCU) are examples of how low box office returns are not just a Disney problem.

Both are Superhero Studios that oversaturated and Overestimate appeal.

Both are owned by deferent Studios.

And only Disney has different(and mot intense) box office problem as evident by the numbers. WB actually had the bigget hit this year some minor support with others and Wonka is doing very well. They could afford their few superhero bombs.

For what its worth. Aqua Man 2 will likely not bomb as hard as The Marvels either. Which is saying something, as it costars someone who had a negative impact on the appeal of the film as the entire world knows she has been charged with abuse and poo poos in the bed for vengeance. Think about it, Disney had a Princess film, a Haunted Mansion film and a Superhero film that could not top that this year.

 

[LittleBuford]

Migration didn't open particularly strongly, so it'll be interesting to see if that ends up with much in the way of legs at all. I suppose that Disney's upcoming Pixar releases could conceivably cut into that possibility a little bit. Either way, it's more evidence that launching new/unknown IPs in the theater is just real hard these days.

It’s apparently the worst opening weekend for Illumination ever:

Minions Studio Has Worst Box Office Opening Weekend Ever With New Animated Movie

The studio is also behind Sing and The Lorax.

screenrant.com

I’m honestly very confused at this point. I was initially unconvinced by the claim that audiences were turning away from Disney specifically, but, when Wish flopped, started begrudgingly to accept the idea. But now that Migration has also opened so poorly—despite having none of the issues that have been ascribed to Wish—I have no idea what to make of it all.

 

[J4546]

And alas, even with the entire modern day Disney synergy machine in action, it appears “Wish” will not even reach the lofty domestic box office levels of the historic Disney bombs, “The Black Cauldron” and “Treasure Planet”.

Disney’s last two massive Thanksgiving tentpole releases have been absolute disasters and are an incredible statement about the current state of the Disney brand.

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for me, Black Cauldron is amazing, a classic. regardless of how it did in theaters or others opinions. give me a black cauldron darkride in fantasy land please!

 

[Ghost93]

But now that Migration has also opened so poorly—despite having none of the issues that have been ascribed to Wish—I have no idea what to make of it all.

What I make of it is that audiences won't show up for original (non IP) animated movies UNLESS the reviews are stellar and word of mouth is great. Migration didn't get terrible reviews, but an average critic rating of 6.3/10 isn't really motivating to get people to the theater either.

 

[Miss Rori]

What I make of it is that audiences won't show up for original (non IP) animated movies UNLESS the reviews are stellar and word of mouth is great. Migration didn't get terrible reviews, but an average critic rating of 6.3/10 isn't really motivating to get people to the theater either.

I don't think it helped either of the animated features that Wonka got substantially better reviews, was IP-based, and seemed to offer more for adults while still being family-friendly. That movie had a pretty good hold over Christmas and has already joined Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes as perhaps the only real big-studio success stories this holiday season -- not billion-dollar grosses, certainly, but doing steady business and being well-liked by viewers. I wouldn't be surprised, given how front-loaded Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was (i.e. all the fans have already seen it), if Wonka gets to the top spot again for New Year's weekend (this happened to Across the Spider-Verse after The Flash's opening weekend).

 

[LSLS]

It’s apparently the worst opening weekend for Illumination ever:

Minions Studio Has Worst Box Office Opening Weekend Ever With New Animated Movie

The studio is also behind Sing and The Lorax.

screenrant.com

I’m honestly very confused at this point. I was initially unconvinced by the claim that audiences were turning away from Disney specifically, but, when Wish flopped, started begrudgingly to accept the idea. But now that Migration has also opened so poorly—despite having none of the issues that have been ascribed to Wish—I have no idea what to make of it all.

Yeah, honestly I'm shocked Migration was so low. We almost went yesterday, but it ended up insanely warm so we went and ran around outside instead. I'm starting to go back to the idea that movies have outpriced themselves. It's a tough spur of the moment thing for most families around the holidays now. It's no longer dropping $20 or $25 to go see a movie on a whim on a holiday weekend. Now it's $75+, which can be awfully tough on a lot with how much more it cost to get food for your holiday meals over the weekend (along with presents).

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Just wanted to mention we saw Wonka on Christmas Day, and both loved it.

The original is right up there with The Wizard of Oz for me; I treasure it. I refused to ever see the Depp remake as the Wilder version is perfection to me.

This one captured the spirit, had just enough nods and connections for me, but had its own story, lore, and heart.

I think there’s room for a sequel or two, so I hope it does well enough for that to happen.

It also didn’t hurt that my husband was, of course, thinking of his late mother on Christmas; and there was something in the film that directly hit the right sentimental note in that regard.

After looking at 3 AMC theaters and finding them either sold out (save the nighttime showings) or with only front or second row seats available, I chose the independent, kind of old-timey theater (with the best popcorn.) Tickets for the 1:40 showing were only $7.50 each, and we landed good seats. Adding to the sentimentality, Brian’s mother worked there as a young girl.

It was a perfect trip to the movies all around, and I look forward to rewatching it.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Believe it or not, Migration's $17.5 million 4-day estimate is actually higher than some projections, because they were so rock bottom to begin with.

I wouldn't write it off just yet, as holiday animated releases are sometimes a slow burn like Sing 2 and Puss in Boots 2.

If by Sunday it's still doing poorly, than we can call it a disappointment.

 

[Miss Rori]

I wouldn't write it off just yet, as holiday animated releases are sometimes a slow burn like Sing 2 and Puss in Boots 2.

Yeah, that was the intention of Migration, so the studio's not too upset about the first weekend, but usually there isn't something like Wonka directly gunning for the same audience and also ready to leg it out as musicals sometimes do. It'll be interesting to see what happens now that Aquaman 2 is spent.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Per Deadline, The Color Purple was the #1 movie on Christmas Day ($18.1 million) followed by Aquaman 2 and Wonka with over $10 million each.

After such a rough year, I'm sure WB is quite happy.

 

[Miss Rori]

It's definitely a qualified success for WB all things considered. Aquaman 2 is not burning up the international box office, so it's certainly going to lose money, but so far The Color Purple is doing okay as an awards-season contender and that is an exceptional opening day, and again, if people like a musical it legs out. WB really seems to care more about the two musicals anyway, they had much more robust marketing. Would be funny to see them both in the top two this coming weekend.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

So TLM is finishing 2023 in 6th place domestically. Still calling that a flop? Regardless of financial break even point, it sold more tickets than almost every other movie that came out all year, with so much going against it.

Even Ant Man at number 8 isn't looking so bad compared to the second half of the year for superhero movies. Looks like Aquaman finished well below Marvels. I can't understand that - the first one did well, nobody hates Momoa, it makes no sense. I intend to see it, but Wonka was my priority this week (which was already late, but hey - scheduling, per usual.)

Disney had 4 of the top 8 (and 10.) No other studio did.

I will say this: it's not just movies that have been down. My business struggled through a deeper than expected Fall dip, as did many local businesses with whom I've spoken, and many similar businesses to mine across the country. People seemed to be spending less on entertainment since about August.

I agree the price of a ticket and concessions have increased to a point that make a trip to the theater more of an event than a last minute afterthought, especially for families. I've always been more of an "only if it's something I really want to see" kind of guy. I guess more people are doing it that way, for whatever reason. Still, I'm surprised Aquaman wasn't that for more people. His first was one of the better in the DC realm, IMO.

And I maintain it's obvious politics in general are dragging Disney's business.

 

[LSLS]

So TLM is finishing 2023 in 6th place domestically. Still calling that a flop? Regardless of financial break even point, it sold more tickets than almost every other movie that came out all year, with so much going against it.

Even Ant Man at number 8 isn't looking so bad compared to the second half of the year for superhero movies. Looks like Aquaman finished well below Marvels. I can't understand that - the first one did well, nobody hates Momoa, it makes no sense. I intend to see it, but Wonka was my priority this week (which was already late, but hey - scheduling, per usual.)

Disney had 4 of the top 8 (and 10.) No other studio did.

I will say this: it's not just movies that have been down. My business struggled through a deeper than expected Fall dip, as did many local businesses with whom I've spoken, and many similar businesses to mine across the country. People seemed to be spending less on entertainment since about August.

I agree the price of a ticket and concessions have increased to a point that make a trip to the theater more of an event than a last minute afterthought, especially for families. I've always been more of an "only if it's something I really want to see" kind of guy. I guess more people are doing it that way, for whatever reason. Still, I'm surprised Aquaman wasn't that for more people. His first was one of the better in the DC realm, IMO.

And I maintain it's obvious politics in general are dragging Disney's business.

Honestly? Yes, I still would. A flop to me is a movie that underperforms and loses money. TLM qualifies for both. I also think it's a bit disingenuous to only look at the domestic box office. Fast X being 17th domestically doesn't negate it being 5 when you include the international box office (not that worldwide changes TLM spots all that much).

With Aquaman 2, I think it's suffering a bit from what the MCU has going in that it doesn't feel like this is part of some sort of larger story arc. Is Aquaman even a part of what Gunn is doing now? I also think what's her name really hurts that movie for a lot of people that follow the gossip stuff.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

With Aquaman 2, I think it's suffering a bit from what the MCU has going in that it doesn't feel like this is part of some sort of larger story arc.

I keep seeing comments like this, especially about recent MCU.

Does anyone realize what a recent and singular phenomena it has been to have such cross-reference between films? It's extremely unusual. I don't know why everyone has come to expect it just because one series pulled it off across a decade or so.

Superman, Spiderman, Batman - their films always stood on their own two feet (until Spiderman was brought into the Avengers movies.)

Go see a superhero movie to go see a superhero movie, not because there might be a star-studded payoff in 2036.

 

[celluloid]

Yeah, that was the intention of Migration, so the studio's not too upset about the first weekend, but usually there isn't something like Wonka directly gunning for the same audience and also ready to leg it out as musicals sometimes do. It'll be interesting to see what happens now that Aquaman 2 is spent.

Since award season releases don't typically interest family market, it will probably have a nice burn with writer's strike delayed some things and studios are wondering what to put out before March.

Remember, it can get close to 40 million total and still not have lost as much money as Wish.

Wonka really is a great movie though. Migration was just old family friendly.

 

[LSLS]

I keep seeing comments like this, especially about recent MCU.

Does anyone realize what a recent and singular phenomena it has been to have such cross-reference between films? It's extremely unusual. I don't know why everyone has come to expect it just because one series pulled it off across a decade or so.

Superman, Spiderman, Batman - their films always stood on their own two feet (until Spiderman was brought into the Avengers movies.)

Go see a superhero movie to go see a superhero movie, not because there might be a star-studded payoff in 2036.

It is recent, but I'd argue that's a part of the change of viewing habits that the two main players have created. If I was going to see X-Men 2 in 2003, I was watching the follow up to what happened in the original X-Men 3 years before. Quantummania was not a direct follow up to Ant Man and the Wasp, and GotG 3 was CERTAINLY not a direct follow up to GotG 2. It is an impact of some other things that happened in other movies. DC does this to an extent as well (just not well, and they are hoping Gunn fixes that). But if all the things before and after aren't piecing together for people, I see it as an issue. Add in the sheer number of superhero movies that are coming out, and you need to link them better in my opinion.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

It is recent, but I'd argue that's a part of the change of viewing habits that the two main players have created. If I was going to see X-Men 2 in 2003, I was watching the follow up to what happened in the original X-Men 3 years before. Quantummania was not a direct follow up to Ant Man and the Wasp, and GotG 3 was CERTAINLY not a direct follow up to GotG 2. It is an impact of some other things that happened in other movies. DC does this to an extent as well (just not well, and they are hoping Gunn fixes that). But if all the things before and after aren't piecing together for people, I see it as an issue. Add in the sheer number of superhero movies that are coming out, and you need to link them better in my opinion.

That cuts both ways. You exclude people who haven't seen everything and have no interest in seeing everything. Ant-Man is very different from Ironman, and I'm not obligated to see both because I've seen one.

It takes more skill to make superhero movies that stand on their own, make sense with their own sequels, and/or plug in to a wider set without making either side mandatory to watch in order to understand what's going on. And you can potentially do more business: with those into just one brand and with those into the whole universe.

In the meantime, people should get used to having more realistic expectations. Getting 10 A-list stars into one movie is no longer in the budget.

 

[Heppenheimer]

for me, Black Cauldron is amazing, a classic. regardless of how it did in theaters or others opinions. give me a black cauldron darkride in fantasy land please!

If I recall, all we ever got from the Black Cauldron was a quick-service snack bar.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

One of the trailers I saw yesterday was for something that looked Spiderman related, but had, I believe, 3 female leads, or maybe one lead and two supporting roles.

There were groans in the theater. I guess we'll see what happens.

 

[Phroobar]

One of the trailers I saw yesterday was for something that looked Spiderman related, but had, I believe, 3 female leads, or maybe one lead and two supporting roles.

There were groans in the theater. I guess we'll see what happens.

Madame Web - it is a Sony spiderverse movie staring Dakota Johnson.