'Strange World' Disney's 2022 Animated Film

[Disstevefan1]

Odious people routinely review bomb any film or TV program they consider too woke (acknowledging LGBTQ people exist or depicting minorities outside of a very narrowly defined set of “acceptable” roles). We know that. We’ve seen it again and again. It’s not debateable.

Strange World is a huge box office bomb. It is also being review bombed. Both things are true.

To the folks against minority representation in popular art - you know you’re going to lose, right? Is there a single instance in American history in which those fighting against representation of particular minority groups have triumphed over the long run? Is there a single instance where they haven’t earned history’s scorn?

In my opinion, Strange World did not do poorly at the box office because of minority representation or being too woke.

Strange World poorly at the box office because it was not advertised, and everyone knew it was going to be on D+

 

[_caleb]

Reminds me of all the Virtue Signaling that happens all over today, not just in Hollywood. Like North Face Sportswear that refused to sell its products to a Texas oil company who wanted logo-bedecked North Face jackets, because North Face Sportswear thinks oil is bad, or something. And then that Texas oil company had to remind them that the entire product line of North Face is made up of polyester and manmade waterproof materials that are made out of oil and oil byproducts extracted, refined, and manufactured in Texas.
Anyone who is sitting on a foam cushioned sofa, or who drives a car whether its gas or electric, or who has a bed mattress, or who has non-stick cookware or who uses trash bags or a toothbrush or an umbrella, uses oil and oil byproducts. Or, and this is the best part, anyone who has ever used the Internet to post rather worthless nonsense on a chat board about Disney amusement parks (and I have over 22,000 of those on just this one website alone!) has used many thousands of gallons of oil and oil byproducts to do that.

Are you reading this while using contact lenses or glasses with frames? You are using oil and gas and their byproducts to do that.

But sure, pretend it's the other guy killing the planet with his contact lenses and his sofa cushions and his non-stick pan and his iPhone and his laptop and his water-repellent jacket and his last night's dinner and his $180 Million movie his company produced that is killing the planet. Or that the planet is actually dying. When it's not. Hypocrites and idiots!
It makes no sense. How would a suburban multiplex even show a movie like Strange World using candles or without fossil fuels? How would the Burbank corporate office function without electricity and petroleum and plastics? It wouldn't. The entire company would collapse if society went back to candle power, or even just solar electricity only available from 8am to 4:30pm on sunny days.

But sure, put that as the closing scene in a movie and Virtue Signal as if that's the ultimate goal we should all have. Except it isn't, and it's not. Nor should it be.

I don’t understand the tendency to write off any effort to mitigate bad things unless the solutions are 100%.

Is it just easier for you to dismiss the message “we should take care of our environment” if plastics or fossil fuels were used?

Why is “virtue” a zero sum game for you?

 

[Magenta Panther]

In my opinion, Strange World did not do poorly at the box office because of minority representation or being too woke.

Strange World poorly at the box office because it was not advertised, and everyone knew it was going to be on D+

It is certainly a matter of opinion that Strange World wasn't advertised. I saw ads for it, before the movies I watched at the theater, and on all on the streaming services I view. Can't comment on network, since I rarely watch network shows. And the public was undoubtedly aware of it, if only because of the controversy it engendered. Who decided it wasn't advertised?

 

[_caleb]

Strange World poorly at the box office because it was not advertised, and everyone knew it was going to be on D+

So nobody knew about the film (due to lack of marketing), but everybody knew it was going to be on Disney+ soon so they waited to watch it?

 

[BuddyThomas]

I cannot believe that this ignorant little hate club is still going on and on and on about this movie they have not even seen that was released in freaking November. Time to move on and direct your hate to the next new thing, folks!

 

[mickEblu]

To the folks against minority representation in popular art - you know you’re going to lose, right? Is there a single instance in American history in which those fighting against representation of particular minority groups have triumphed over the long run? Is there a single instance where they haven’t earned history’s scorn?

This is an interesting question. I’d probably agree if your question was in regards to said minority groups rights. But this isn’t that and representation is a different beast. Particularly when it comes to children’s movies. Ultimately money talks and BS walks. A lot of people would either have to change their mind on this or Disney will have to find a way to make these movies on 1/4 the budget of Strange World. You underestimate parents protectiveness when it comes to their children. Now, if the content in Strange World is something that requires that is another discussion.

 

[DKampy]

This is an interesting question. I’d probably agree if your question was in regards to said minority groups rights. But this isn’t that and representation is a different beast. Particularly when it comes to children’s movies. Ultimately money talks and BS walks. A lot of people would either have to change their mind on this or Disney will have to find a way to make these movies on 1/4 the budget of Strange World. You underestimate parents protectiveness when it comes to their children. Now, if the content in Strange World is something that requires that is another discussion.

What are they protecting children from… people who have love and affection for one another… I did not know that was such a tough concept to grasp.

 

[mickEblu]

What are they protecting children from… people who have love and affection for one another… I did not know that was such a tough concept to grasp.

Maybe “protecting” was too strong. But you know what I mean. I can only come up with so many ways to say the same thing. I’m not spending too much time on a post that’s going to be deleted in 45 minutes.

 

[RobWDW1971]

The great thing about CinemaScore ratings (and why studios rely on them) is that they cannot be manipulated.

They are conducted at random theaters from actual moviegoers who bought tickets on the opening days.

By definition, if you are buying a ticket to a new film on opening day you are more likely to be a fan of the film's concept, stars, etc. so the ratings are always skewed to the positive. Films receiving A+ or A are commonplace.

For a major Disney animated film to receive a terrible B CinemaScore, its lowest in its history, is not due to the ridiculous "no marketing" myth, "review bombing" conspiracy theories, etc.

It is a statement of rejection of the film by those that knew about the film, raced out to buy a ticket for the film for their families, and disliked it.

As is nearly always the case, the CinemaScore is an indication of the film's eventual word of mouth and box office legs, which was certainly the case here.

 

[Disstevefan1]

So nobody knew about the film (due to lack of marketing), but everybody knew it was going to be on Disney+ soon so they waited to watch it?

In my opinion, both was a factor in the poor box office.

A lot of non-Disney fans, and some Disney fans had no idea the movie existed, and many Disney fans who knew the film existed, knew, or suspected Disney would follow the same pattern as they did with their other movies and put it on D+ after a number of days in theaters.

I knew this movie was going to go to Disney+ eventually, no one had to tell me.

I also happily watched Top Gun Maverick on streaming too.

In my opinion, if Disney or any company wants to make the most possible money on any movie at the box office, don't establish the pattern of putting a movie on the stream for free 30 to 45 days after it's in the theatres, make it 6 months to a year, and when it goes on steam, make folks pay, or forcibly run commercials when it streams.

Maybe my family are in the minority, but we are totally OVER movie theaters. The screen size, picture quality, sound quality at home today is fantastic! We are in the comfort of our home; the snacks are better and EXACTLY what we want at a fraction of the cost, and I have rewind for when I fall asleep

 

[celluloid]

The Black Phone made more money both domestically and internaitonally than Strange World, was Rated R, and was a part of what is typically seen as a less niche market than family films. It was also on Peacock weeks after running in theaters and maintained steam in theaters.

It was based on a short story within a book but you can't say it was as marketed as Strange World plus all the synergy that even if less than usual, Strange World had.


Strange World had a lot of issues; a movie doing well, or not doing well is always a sum of reasons. Not being perceived as family appropriate was only one of them, whether you disagree that it is or not, it is one of the reasons.

 

[Disstevefan1]

It is certainly a matter of opinion that Strange World wasn't advertised. I saw ads for it, before the movies I watched at the theater, and on all on the streaming services I view. Can't comment on network, since I rarely watch network shows. And the public was undoubtedly aware of it, if only because of the controversy it engendered. Who decided it wasn't advertised?

When I said it wasn't advertised, Disney didn't spend enough, and I heard rumors that marketing money was taken from Strange World to market other movies.

I did not know about or understand movie marketing costs till I watched The YouTuber Valliant Renegade, He mentions the marketing costs of movies can cost up to 8 times the cost of the film. I think the case he spoke of where the marketing was 8 times the cost of the film, was a low budget horror file that WAS SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE OF the marketing.

Disney cheaped out on the marketing of this film think they didn't need to spend the money.

Sort of like how Iger said they did not need to advertise Galay's Edge resulting in no one showing up in the initial weeks of its opening.

 

[Disstevefan1]

The Black Phone made more money both domestically and internaitonally than Strange World, was Rated R, and was a part of what is typically seen as a less niche market than family films. It was also on Peacock weeks after running in theaters and maintained steam in theaters.

It was based on a short story within a book but you can't say it was as marketed as Strange World plus all the synergy that even if less than usual, Strange World had.


Strange World had a lot of issues, a movie doing well, or not doing well is always a sum of a ot of reasons. Not being perceived as family appropriate was only one of them, whether you disagree that it is or not, it is one of the reasons.

I watched Black Phone on streaming

 

[celluloid]

Sort of like how Iger said they did not need to advertise Galay's Edge resulting in no one showing up in the initial weeks of its opening.

Could be similar. Disney's legacy under Iger has had a lot of overpromise and underdeliver, or underdeliver anyway.

Galaxy's Edge's hype quickly fizzled once the food was difficult to get, the live entertainment cut, the sabers and droid shopping was hard ticketed and both attractions had height requirements close to what was already offered at Star Tours. Rise being the only thing heralded as a masterpiece when most of it is working.

 

[mickEblu]

Could be similar. Disney's legacy under Iger has had a lot of overpromise and underdeliver, or underdeliver anyway.

Galaxy's Edge's hype quickly fizzled once the food was difficult to get, the sabers and droid shopping was hard ticketed and both attractions had height requirements close to what was already offered at Star Tours. Rise being the only thing heralded as a masterpiece when most of it is working.

I think the food at GE is a big miss for the most part. Nothing memorable. The food or the ambiance. I haven’t walked into Docking Bay for 2 years. They had the right idea with Rontos Roasters and that fake hunk of meat being grilled but it should have been more of a rustic BBQ joint that serves ribs, chicken etc. Then you have dinner show theatre that didn’t happen. Ronto Wraps are good though.

 

[LittleBuford]

For a major Disney animated film to receive a terrible B CinemaScore, its lowest in its history, is not due to the ridiculous "no marketing" myth, "review bombing" conspiracy theories, etc.

My comment about review bombing was in relation to your remarks about the falling ratings on Rotten Tomatoes since the film went to Disney+. Please don’t misrepresent what I said.

 

[Disstevefan1]

I think the food at GE is a big miss for the most part. Nothing memorable. The food or the ambiance. I haven’t walked into Docking Bay for 2 years. They had the right idea with Rontos Roasters and that fake hunk of meat being grilled but it should have been more of a rustic BBQ joint that serves ribs, chicken etc. Then you have dinner show theatre that didn’t happen. Ronto Wraps are good though.

There are tons of things they could have done to create some ambiance. They are just too cheap. It’s too bad.

Hey, did anyone hear any news about She Hulk season 2? It won’t cost much, probably a little more than the 225 million they spent on season 1.

 

[_caleb]

In my opinion, if Disney or any company wants to make the most possible money on any movie at the box office, don't establish the pattern of putting a movie on the stream for free 30 to 45 days after it's in the theatres, make it 6 months to a year, and when it goes on steam, make folks pay, or forcibly run commercials when it streams.

Maybe my family are in the minority, but we are totally OVER movie theaters. The screen size, picture quality, sound quality at home today is fantastic! We are in the comfort of our home; the snacks are better and EXACTLY what we want at a fraction of the cost, and I have rewind for when I fall asleep

Your second paragraph here is why the ideas in your first paragraph are no longer viable. Disney has known this for over ten years and has already gone all in on direct-to-consumer for this very reason.

Strange World was a flop at the box office if you're still thinking in the old paradigm. But if you see it as a(n expensive!) Disney+ film (like the live action Pinocchio) that they also gave a low-effort theatrical release, it made Disney an extra $70M or so.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Your second paragraph here is why the ideas in your first paragraph are no longer viable. Disney has known this for over ten years and has already gone all in on direct-to-consumer for this very reason.

Strange World was a flop at the box office if you're still thinking in the old paradigm. But if you see it as a(n expensive!) Disney+ film (like the live action Pinocchio) that they also gave a low-effort theatrical release, it made Disney an extra $70M or so.

Yea, we also watched Pinocchio on D+ for "free" in the comfort of our home
Personally, I am happy with direct-to-consumer, and I personally do not care about box office numbers.

 

[TP2000]

It makes you wonder if TWDC buys tickets to their own movies to keep them propped up.

I know you're probably joking, but some folks say stuff like that and aren't joking. That kind of thinking is deeply conspiratorial, and I have no confidence that grand conspiracy theories like that ever happen.

How would it even work? Disney has a secret team buying up movie tickets online at random theaters around the country? For what purpose and to prove what? It's silly and falls apart after 30 seconds of consideration, as most grand conspiracy theories do.

The great thing about CinemaScore ratings (and why studios rely on them) is that they cannot be manipulated.

They are conducted at random theaters from actual moviegoers who bought tickets on the opening days.

Sounds rather foolproof and not able to be manipulated by studios or their marketing teams. The gold standard, if you will, of movie rating sites. I will pay attention to CinemaScore closely for future releases from Burbank's studios.