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

[Tony the Tigger]

It was everything and more. Run to see Wicked. Run! 🩷

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This is correct. Well done, all around.

I was very into it and emotional through the whole thing, but kind of fell off at the end. I guess that’s because, as we all know, it’s not the end. I don’t know what the plans are for part 2, but they should do it quickly (like Costner wanted to do with his western.)

I’ve only seen the theater version once, and my memory is not fantastic lately, but this seemed quite different.

It’s really amazing how they can take a terrible book and make it so good! Makes me wonder if they’ll dip into the terrible sequels in similar fashion.

This has every reason to be a big hit, and I think the beginning was smart to draw in people who love the original Wizard of Oz and maybe have never seen the play.

Last year, I loved Wonka. This year, I loved Wicked (not quite as much, though.) Next year, can I hope for Wicket? (The Ewok backstory!)

Or stay at home! It’s our first chilly night in Florida this year - going down to 65

I was wrong. It’s going down to 52. That’s chilly for us! Digging out the space heater.

 

[Disney Analyst]

This is correct. Well done, all around.

I was very into it and emotional through the whole thing, but kind of fell off at the end. I guess that’s because, as we all know, it’s not the end. I don’t know what the plans are for part 2, but they should do it quickly (like Costner wanted to do with his western.)

I’ve only seen the theater version once, and my memory is not fantastic lately, but this seemed quite different.

It’s really amazing how they can take a terrible book and make it so good! Makes me wonder if they’ll dip into the terrible sequels in similar fashion.

This has every reason to be a big hit, and I think the beginning was smart to draw in people who love the original Wizard of Oz and maybe have never seen the play.

Last year, I loved Wonka. This year, I loved Wicked (not quite as much, though.) Next year, can I hope for Wicket? (The Ewok backstory!)

I was wrong. It’s going down to 52. That’s chilly for us! Digging out the space heater.

Part 2 was filmed at the same time. It comes out next year, this time.

 

[Prince-1]

Looks like Wicked is defying expectations.

‘Wicked’ Flying To $120M Opening, ‘Gladiator II’ Conquering $61M – Friday Afternoon Box Office Update

'Wicked' and 'Gladiator 2' kicked off Thursday night respectively grossing $20M and $6M+ in previews. 'Wicked's cash includes earlier previews.

deadline.com

 

[BrianLo]

I just saw Wicked. It was really quite good, a nice spectacle. All the leads fulfilled the roles exceptionally well and not just as knockoffs.

It was a little bit stretched, but extremely faithful. Which also again leads me to be super curious what on earth they are doing for Part 2. I’m feeling more optimistic about people wanting to see the second one in droves.

 

[celluloid]

It is great to see the box office so healthy. All things considered this year should have ended or could have ended so much lower with a low release number than it was going to be pre longest strike in hollywood history.

Editorial side of things. Best Christmas Pageant ever is a simple straight forward delight and to scale a smash hit.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I just saw Wicked. It was really quite good, a nice spectacle. All the leads fulfilled the roles exceptionally well and not just as knockoffs.

It was a little bit stretched, but extremely faithful. Which also again leads me to be super curious what on earth they are doing for Part 2. I’m feeling more optimistic about people wanting to see the second one in droves.

I adored how they really honoured the broadway show. So theatrical, so faithful, but lots of lovely fleshed out bits.

 

[Farerb]

Bob Iger will see the success of Wicked and will order the live action remake to Frozen and he'll want it done...in TWO PARTS.

 

[DisneyWarrior27]

Bob Iger will see the success of Wicked and will order the live action remake to Frozen and he'll want it done...in TWO PARTS.

No he won’t.

STOP IT.

 

[Miss Rori]

Bob Iger will see the success of Wicked and will order the live action remake to Frozen and he'll want it done...in TWO PARTS.

Well, it has already been teased that Frozen III and IV are going to be two halves of one narrative, and they do have to stretch out what remaining titles they have that haven't been remade...

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Bob Iger will see the success of Wicked and will order the live action remake to Frozen and he'll want it done...in TWO PARTS.

Frozen: Part One (3 hours, 12 minutes)

Frozen: Part Two (2 hours, 59 minutes)

Olaf: The Frozen King (2 hours, 45 minutes)

 

[Ghost93]

Wicked was AMAZING! Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were fantastic. I was familiar with the songs and the overall story but had never actually seen the Broadway play. I was surprised at how much it emotionally moved me. I cried multiple times!

Also, for a 160 minute movie, it was incredibly well paced. By the time it ended, I felt like only 70 minutes had passed.

The year-long wait for Part 2 will be terrible though! The movie leaves you really wanting to see what happens next. Since the theater I was at had reclining seats, I would have had no problem sitting through the full five-hour version of the film, as long as there was a brief intermission.

 

[Dranth]

For those that saw Wicked, as someone who found the play one of the most boring theater going experiences I have ever had (and I typically love plays and musicals) does the movie separate itself in anyway or is it just the play in movie format?

 

[BrianLo]

For those that saw Wicked, as someone who found the play one of the most boring theater going experiences I have ever had (and I typically love plays and musicals) does the movie separate itself in anyway or is it just the play in movie format?

I love the play. I assume you like other broadway? Because certainly it’s prettier, more visually intriguing and more staged in all the way movies are; if it’s just a general dislike of stage shows and preference towards movies

But if there was something intrinsic to Wicked you disliked, yes it’s very faithful and just longer. But also the stronger 60% of the musical.

 

[Ghost93]

I love the play. I assume you like other broadway? Because certainly it’s prettier, more visually intriguing and more staged in all the way movies are; if it’s just a general dislike of stage shows and preference towards movies

But if there was something intrinsic to Wicked you disliked, yes it’s very faithful and just longer. But also the stronger 60% of the musical.

I've heard Act 2 isn't as good as the first Act on Broadway. Do you think that could be remedied for the film adaptation? One of the common complaints I heard was that the second act was rushed.

Also, there will apparently be two new songs created just for the film in Part 2 — a new song for Elphaba and a new song for Glinda.

 

[LittleBuford]

Seeing Wicked on Monday and, based on the rave reviews here, I'm really excited!

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Neither Wicked or Gladiator will reach their previously expected openings, but Wicked's $114 million domestic opening is still both a lot higher than the previous $80 million estimate from a couple weeks ago and the best opening ever for a musical movie based on a Broadway show. Wicked has yet to open in 35% of the international market and won't be released in Japan until March. Its A Cinemascore and 80% PostTrack definite recommend suggests a good run in the weeks ahead.

 

[Miss Rori]

I've heard Act 2 isn't as good as the first Act on Broadway. Do you think that could be remedied for the film adaptation? One of the common complaints I heard was that the second act was rushed.

Also, there will apparently be two new songs created just for the film in Part 2 — a new song for Elphaba and a new song for Glinda.

Yeah, I think the film will let the material breathe more. I was surprised by how smooth the pacing was in this first installment given its length; having never seen the live show, I was wondering how rushed some of the side material must have been in it (particularly the Animals plot thread). I think part of it is that Wicked is working with a setting and scope that benefits from being opened up and taking full advantage of the different medium.

 

[Miss Rori]

Neither Wicked or Gladiator will reach their previously expected openings, but Wicked's $114 million domestic opening is still both a lot higher than the previous $80 million estimate from a couple weeks ago and the best opening ever for a musical movie based on a Broadway show. Wicked has yet to open in 35% of the international market and won't be released in Japan until March. Its A Cinemascore and 80% PostTrack definite recommend suggests a good run in the weeks ahead.

Yeah, this is an exceptional start for both movies, and even if Moana 2 is as big as a lot of people here expect/hope it will be it will probably have a positive knock-on effect for them, though Wicked would be the more obvious beneficiary. Also keep in mind that Moana 2 is a lot shorter than those two movies, so it has more showtimes to make money with. Compare this to the sad situation theaters were in last year with Wish and Napoleon bringing the whole holiday season down and there's no way this doesn't look better! (I'm not the only one who sees the humor in Wicked and Gladiator II coming off as "What if Wish and Napoleon were good?")

 

[Ghost93]

Compare this to the sad situation theaters were in last year with Wish and Napoleon bringing the whole holiday season down and there's no way this doesn't look better! (I'm not the only one who sees the humor in Wicked and Gladiator II coming off as "What if Wish and Napoleon were good?")

I had the exact same thought! Now, personally, I didn't think Wish or Napolean were outright terrible, but they weren't strong enough for me to give them a recommendation.

I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised by Moana 2, but I'm not optimistic. It's origins as a Disney Plus show and the absence of Lin Manuel Miranda make me fear that it won't be anywhere near as good as the first. I didn't love Frozen II, with it's messy and convoluted plot, but at least that movie was smart enough to bring the Lopez's back and "Into the Unkown" and "Show Yourself" were both bangers that redeemed the film somewhat.

 

[BrianLo]

I've heard Act 2 isn't as good as the first Act on Broadway. Do you think that could be remedied for the film adaptation? One of the common complaints I heard was that the second act was rushed.

Also, there will apparently be two new songs created just for the film in Part 2 — a new song for Elphaba and a new song for Glinda.

New songs will help (basically mandatory). I was just surprised how faithful the first act is. Merely just stretched out sequences with cinematography. Constant, constant winking at the audience that the next big number is about to start. Not a criticism, but funny.

Part two lacks either the fun pop of Loathing/Popular or Adele Dazeem power ballads of Wizard and I/Defying gravity.

There’s essentially only three non reprise songs and one is from the Wizard (no offense but that’s going to be from a mediocre singer), which isn’t great. “No good deed”, a bit of a dour power balad and “for good”, which is a good duet. Two new songs and more material allows them to properly flesh it out.

The back half of the musical is more dour, obviously. But everyone loves a good “school narrative arc” so that’s always hard to compete against. The fact they did such a good job makes me hopeful they’ll improve part two.

I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised by Moana 2, but I'm not optimistic. Its origins as a Disney Plus show and the absence of Lin Manuel Miranda make me fear that it won't be anywhere near as good as the first. I didn't love Frozen II, with it's messy and convoluted plot, but at least that movie was smart enough to bring the Lopez's back and "Into the Unkown" and "Show Yourself" were both bangers that redeemed the film somewhat.

I think this movie is being minimized. It was always a big budget production in its former iteration. It has been largely overseen and directed from Burbank, even if animators are working up the coast. I don’t think the Moana soundtrack is unbeatable. There are four solid songs on it and Shiny was a rare misfire.

It’s being seen as a direct to VHS production turned theatrical. But D+ production efforts have never been reminiscent of that era.

I also think Beyond is resonating with me as an earworm and that Auli’i has really matured as a singer. Her voice has dropped, which she’s talked about a lot.

The big issue I forsee is being just a retread in a different wrapper. But the added cast might help.