'Strange World' Disney's 2022 Animated Film

[Ghost93]

In the original test screening for audiences, she actually succeeded in destroying Arendelle. I think they nixed that because they knew there wouldn't be any synergy with the fact that they were building Arendelle in several of the parks.

I'll give Strange World kudos for actually following through in requiring the heroes to make sacrifices in order to "make things right." Frozen II kinda undercut its own message by having the heroes do the right thing but ultimately not have to make any sacrifices.

 

[Heppenheimer]

In the original test screening for audiences, she actually succeeded in destroying Arendelle. I think they nixed that because they knew there wouldn't be any synergy with the fact that they were building Arendelle in several of the parks.

They could have combined a trip through Arendelle with the tsunami effect from the walking portion of the old backlot tour at Hollywood Studios, when it was known as Disney-MGM Studios. Or Catastrophe Canyon. "And now, folks, Princess Anna has decided that we all must die by drowning."

 

[RobWDW1971]

True. But haven't we all been there once or twice in our lives?

Now that I think about it like this, I'm starting to warm up to Anna.

But honestly, put these two ladies at the end of the bar at a TGIFridays about 30 minutes before Last Call, and who gets chatted up first? It's basic science. Or something. And the toy aisles at Target never lie.

There is a scientific name for this phenomenon: "The Ginger or Mary Ann Paradox"

 

[TP2000]

There is a scientific name for this phenomenon: "The Ginger or Mary Ann Paradox"

I've heard of that theory. But I don't subscribe to it, as I've always been a Mrs. Howell kind of a guy myself.

 

[RobWDW1971]

I've heard of that theory. But I don't subscribe to it, as I've always been a Mrs. Howell kind of a guy myself.

Ha! Thank you for that mental image. That will now haunt my dreams.

 

[TP2000]

Strange World is heading into it's third weekend at about $26 Million, yet has basically flatlined already.

It will be a tight squeeze to get it over the $30 Million mark before Avatar arrives next weekend. As a reminder, in the weeks before Thanksgiving industry media had $30 Million as the low end of the already downgraded opening weekend estimate for Strange World.

It's actually going to take 3 weeks or more in theaters to get it past $30 Million domestically. I'll update again after the weekend, especially once the global box office numbers dump next Tuesday. Happy weekend gang!

 

[TP2000]

Looking at that chart again, it's still in 4,174 theaters. Wow. Yesterday it average 64 bucks per theater.

That theater count will be another stat to watch change in the next week.

 

[RobWDW1971]

With Strange World's weekend coming into view, here is some perspective on historic Disney Animation box office bombs at 19 days in release (all in today's dollars). Note Strange World opened on over 1,000 more screens than any other film on the list:

- Strange World: $30.5 estimate
- Black Cauldron: $44M
- Treasure Planet: $45M
- Home on the Range: $60M
- Chicken Little: $155M

#resoundingsuccess

 

[TP2000]

The numbers are in for this weekend, the last before Avatar's release later this week.

Strange World finally made it over the $30 Million mark domestically, almost three weeks after it opened.

Also, theater counts are declining for Strange World; now at 3,560, so at least the Per Theater metric improved.

 

[LittleBuford]

especially as those same execs try and pretend that wasn't the reason for anything

We have zero evidence that it was the reason for anything. Neither film foregrounded gay themes, despite your continual mischaracterisation.

 

[mickEblu]

Agreed!

Burbank executives have really painted themselves into a corner here with their family films marketed to children. They're now damned if they do, and damned if they don't. I certainly don't envy them, especially as those same execs try and pretend that wasn't the reason for anything but fabulous financial success and moral superiority.

And they have no one to blame but themselves for doing this to their family audience animation from their expensive flagship studios. A fascinating tale, quite frankly!

Exactly. Their two choices are to keep going (and keep losing money) or to stop completely. Either one will offend people but the latter would offend fewer. The problem is the vocal minority of the few are very loud. So as you said they are kind of damned if they do and damned if they don’t. I wonder though if their isn’t a third option. Which is to do one Super LGBTQ movie every few years and then just leave it completely out of all the movies in between. That would probably be a fair compromise to appease someone like me. I’m not sure how Middle America would feel about it though. It also comes across as kind of telegraphed and inorganic but so does the box checking they are doing now.

 

[TP2000]

With Strange World's weekend coming into view, here is some perspective on historic Disney Animation box office bombs at 19 days in release (all in today's dollars). Note Strange World opened on over 1,000 more screens than any other film on the list:

- Strange World: $30.5 estimate
- Black Cauldron: $44M
- Treasure Planet: $45M
- Home on the Range: $60M
- Chicken Little: $155M

#resoundingsuccess

Here's that financial chart of domestic box office, adjusted for inflation.

Strange World is the little green squiggle at the bottom of the chart.

 

[TP2000]

Exactly. Their two choices are to keep going (and keep losing money) or to stop completely. Either one will offend people but the latter would offend fewer. The problem is the vocal minority of the few are very loud. So as you said they are kind of damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

It's just a mess now. They did this to themselves. Let's never forget that part.

I wonder though if their isn’t a third option. Which is to do one Super LGBTQ movie every few years and then just leave it completely out of all the movies in between.

What just flashed through my mind is mages of fabulous musical production scenes with dancing fountains and scores of top-hatted gentlemen, like the hilarious The French Mistake scene from Blazing Saddles. (Sounds like steam escaping!.... I'm parked over by the commissary...)

I'd actually buy a ticket to see that Disney movie!

That would probably be a fair compromise to appease someone like me. I’m not sure how Middle America would feel about it though. It also comes across as kind of telegraphed and inorganic but so does the box checking they are doing now.

It's just a mess now. Did I mention they did this to themselves all on their own?

I maintain the best course of action is to stop putting these Checked Boxes From HR into children's animation and save that stuff for the PG-13 or R rated movies from their other studios. But what do I know? And what does the free marketplace of consumer choice know? Burbank thinks they know better than both. Hmm...

 

[mickEblu]

It's just a mess now. They did this to themselves. Let's never forget that part.



What just flashed through my mind is mages of fabulous musical production scenes with dancing fountains and scores of top-hatted gentlemen, like the hilarious The French Mistake scene from Blazing Saddles. (Sounds like steam escaping!.... I'm parked out by the commissary...)

I'd actually buy a ticket to see that Disney movie!



It's just a mess now. Did I mention they did this to themselves all on their own?

I maintain the best course of action is to stop putting these Checked Boxes From HR into children's animation and save that stuff for the PG-13 or R rated movies from their other studios. But what do I know? And what does the free marketplace of consumer choice know? Burbank thinks they know better than both. Hmm...

Totally agree. Save it for the PG 13 stuff. Not the PG Disney animated feature films. Between all of their studios, they have so many other places they can put it. Those people in Burbank are really out of touch. Maybe they thought they could actually sway a large majority of parents minds across the nation because they are Disney. Or more likely they are living in a bubble and don’t understand the majority of people in their target audience. Either way I’m tired of trying to justify or figure out their incompetency lately.

 

[TP2000]

Those people in Burbank are really out of touch.... Or more likely they are living in a bubble and don’t understand the majority of people in their target audience.

I'm of the firm belief that it's mostly that reason. The financials of the free market be damned.

I've ended up at parties or events with those types, and it's exactly what you think. Completely living in a bubble, with a very low opinion of anyone who doesn't live in their bubble. Diversity of thought and culture is mostly not allowed. When I watched those now infamous Zoom call videos from 2021 of the Disney execs talking about their Inclusion strategies for films, I knew exactly the personalities they were and how they talk and behave in real life. It was textbook.

Those execs are in Bubble World. And they think they're better than you, don't forget.

Next up, Walt Disney Animation Studios presents Wish, opening Thanksgiving 2023!

 

[ILoveWDW4ever]

Those who are now refusing to see Disney movies because of the “trend” and “agenda” are more likely than not a very small minority.

Refusing is a strong word. More like not interested.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Oh I skipped over your second sentence. Yes you directly stated that but just confused how you or anyone don’t think the Gay crush thing wasn’t at least half the reason the movie bombed. I can’t tell if it’s genuine or a desperate attempt to control the narrative so that Disney continues to make movies like this.

Half the reason? That’s quite far-fetched. You’d have to provide some strong evidence for me to believe that.

Refusing is a strong word. More like not interested.

Refusing, disinterest… My point still stands.

 

[LittleBuford]

The weakness of some of the claims being made can be revealed by a very simply thought experiment. Does anyone here really believe that either Lightyear or Strange World would have done any better at the box office had their two gay characters been straight instead?

 

[Californian Elitist]

The weakness of some of the claims being made can be revealed by a very simply thought experiment. Does anyone here really believe that either Lightyear or Strange World would have done any better at the box office had their two gay characters been straight instead?

Great question.

 

[TP2000]

The gay plot points in both Lightyear and Strange World we’re not revealed in the teasers and trailers. Additionally, there is a subtle hint to homosexuality in Wakanda Forever. Plenty of people have seen that movie, and plenty took their kids to see it.

Wakanda Forever was rated PG-13.

It's up to the parents who know their child and their child's development, not to mention the values and culture of the individual family they are in charge of, but I wouldn't have a problem taking a smart 12 or 13 year old to Wakanda Forever. And I certainly wouldn't have a problem with a 15 year old seeing Wakanda Forever.

Strange World was rated PG, and marketed at a younger age of child than 13. And since Disney is incapable, or simply unwilling, to make G rated movies any longer, the PG rating is the new G rating.

There's a huge difference between a 14 year old and an 8 year old. I think that's all any of the parents here has tried to say, often saying it to people (like me) who are childless adults.