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

[LittleBuford]

And I truly never doubted it finding success, assuming the movie was done well.

Wicked has been such an important part of my life, and is probably the show I can attribute to me finding broadway, understanding broadway, becoming a fan of broadway.

I knew musicals, I knew theatre, but Wicked brought my little 13 year old brain to New York City, the farthest place (to a kid) from my little hometown in Canada. I can remember the moment, it was the 2004 Tony Awards, and I saw this show perform, from my living room, with my family. My mind was blown away seeing the wicked witch flying in the air, and from there I was on a quest to learn more, to find every video I could, and dream of seeing the show in person. Which I finally did in 2006, in Seattle, with my dream cast (it was like fate truly stepped in for me, a 16 year old boy). I’ve lost count… but I think I’ve seen the show 13ish times now.

Wicked was not a critical success on broadway, but it brought joy and wonder to so many of us, and truly turned into a global phenomenon.

It just makes sense to me that the movie would do the same, especially with it being received even better critically than it was on Broadway.

I’m having my Wicked moment much later in life (now!) with the movie adaptation. I have seen it on stage—once, many years ago—and certainly enjoyed the experience, but Erivo’s singing has made me connect with it in a whole new way. It puzzles me that the music wasn’t better received by critics.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I suspect Moana 2 — even with mixed reception — will continue to dominate at the box office until the double whammy of Sonic and Mufassa knock it down a few pegs.

Sonic? Mufasa?

It's Nosferatu the kids are dying to see this Xmas.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I’m having my Wicked moment much later in life (now!) with the movie adaptation. I have seen it on stage—once, many years ago—and certainly enjoyed the experience, but Erivo’s singing has made me connect with it in a whole new way. It puzzles me that the music wasn’t better received by critics.

It has its star song.

And 2-3 other memorable ones.

The rest are all "Fixer Upper."

That's two hours worth of Fixer Uppers.



Compare that to Moana (original) in which just about every song is an earworm. Or Encanto in which almost every song spent some time on Billboard Top 100.


It's difficult to have every song in a musical a smashing success. Just like it's difficult for a recording artist to put out an album in which all songs become hit-singles.

 

[LittleBuford]

It has it's star song.

And 2-3 other memorable ones.

The rest are all "Fixer Upper."

That's two hours worth of Fixer Uppers.



Compare that to Moana (original) in which just about every song is an earworm. Or Encanto in which almost every song spent some time on Billboard Top 100.


It's difficult to have every song in a musical a smashing success. Just like it's difficult for a recording artist to put out an album that all become hit-singles.

Don't come at me, but I personally find both Moana and (especially) Encanto overrated musically. Wicked has a stronger soundtrack than either in my opinion.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Don't come at me, but I personally find both Moana and (especially) Encanto overrated musically. Wicked has a stronger soundtrack than either in my opinion.

 

[Ghost93]

Don't come at me, but I personally find both Moana and (especially) Encanto overrated musically. Wicked has a stronger soundtrack than either in my opinion.

I love No one Mourns the Wicked, Dancing Through LIfe, Defying Gravity, As Long as You're Mine, No Good Deed and For Good.

The Wizard and I, What is this Feeling, Popular and I'm Not That Girl are all pretty good.

I could take or leave the rest of the songs.

Hamilton and Les Miserables are the only stage musicals I can think of where I love almost every song.

 

[Farerb]

Don't come at me, but I personally find both Moana and (especially) Encanto overrated musically. Wicked has a stronger soundtrack than either in my opinion.

I like the songs on Wicked, but I thought Stephen Schwartz' work on Prince of Egypt was superior.

Menken > Schwartz > LMM > Lopezes.

No one comes close to Ashman though.

 

[LittleBuford]

I like the songs on Wicked, but I thought Stephen Schwartz' work on Prince of Egypt was superior.

I've never seen it or heard its songs (other than Mariah and Whitney's version of "When You Believe").

 

[DisneyWarrior27]

The numbers are in.

Moana 2’s 5-day opening weekend worldwide is $386.3M ($221M in the U.S. and $165.3M overseas): .

 

[BrianLo]

It has its star song.

And 2-3 other memorable ones.

The rest are all "Fixer Upper."

That's two hours worth of Fixer Uppers.



Compare that to Moana (original) in which just about every song is an earworm. Or Encanto in which almost every song spent some time on Billboard Top 100.


It's difficult to have every song in a musical a smashing success. Just like it's difficult for a recording artist to put out an album in which all songs become hit-singles.

I definitely don’t think Moana had a consistently amazing soundtrack. Encanto is a bit better. Frozen more so. Wicked was a lot more consistent and Moana has more what you accuse it of - 3 songs of note. Though all these movies pale to the early renaissance soundtracks. Lion King are bangers from start to finish; even the added broadway song.

 

[BrianLo]

It’s surprising again how much stronger this is doing than Frozen 2. We’re going to see a third eventually and hopefully everyone gets their wish with LMM returning.

If executives should take away one thing from this weekend, it’s that don’t be afraid of good competition. Start focusing more of your slates on woman and families.

Iger is certainly coming off swimmingly with his decision making on refocusing back on theatrical.

1. Moana 2 (Dis) 4200 theaters, Wed $57.5M Thu$28M Fri $54.5M Sat $50.5M Sun $30.5M 3-day $135.5M 5-day $221M/Wk 1

2.Wicked (Uni) 3,888 theaters, Wed $20.4M Thu$17M Fri $32M Sat $29.4M Sun $18.6M 3-day $80M(-29%), 5-day $117.5M/Total $262.4M/Wk 2

 

[BrianLo]

Wowie Maui! ‘Moana 2’ Swells To $386.3M Worldwide Bow – International Box Office

Disney’s Moana 2 has grossed $386.3M in its global box office opening; with record-breaking starts domestically and internationally

deadline.com

International markets blowing up too. A smattering of number one animated openings ever or number 1/2 for WDAS. This isn’t a holiday weekend internationally, which is all the more impressive next to summer animated openings. I’m seeing a lot of 1.5B energy; and a sequel.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Wicked is now the highest grossing movie musical based on a Broadway show, but that's not adjusting for inflation

However, once it passes $300 million domestically then it will be in the top 10 all time adjusted.

 

[Ghost93]

If executives should take away one thing from this weekend, it’s that don’t be afraid of good competition. Start focusing more of your slates on woman and families.

Which is what Disney did previously with Wish.

 

[Disney Analyst]

 

[LittleBuford]

Happy as I am for Disney, I wish this were happening with a worthier film.

 

[Farerb]

Happy as I am for Disney, I wish this were happening with a worthier film.

It's happening mostly thanks to how beloved the original is. We should all be happy that the original is as much a classic as The Little Mermaid and Aladdin and receives the same treatment as they did by getting cheap sequels and a remake.

 

[LittleBuford]

It's happening mostly thanks to how beloved the original is. We should all be happy that the original is as much a classic as The Little Mermaid and Aladdin and receives the same treatment as they did by getting cheap sequels and a remake.

I have no objection in principle to sequels and remakes. I just wish that box-office performance were more directly correlated with quality.

 

[Disney Irish]

I have no objection in principle to sequels and remakes. I just wish that box-office performance were more directly correlated with quality.

Unfortunately the general public has never truly cared about quality in the era of franchises. If they had we wouldn't have 11 and counting Fast and Furious movies all to varying degrees of success.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

It's happening mostly thanks to how beloved the original is. We should all be happy that the original is as much a classic as The Little Mermaid and Aladdin and receives the same treatment as they did by getting cheap sequels and a remake.

A reminder for all those celebrating Moana 2's box office that Return of Jafar was among the top 10 best selling home video titles of all time in 1994.