Why not show earlier Disney Films in Cinema?

[Miss Lightstar]

I was fortunate to be in Denmark, where Cinemateket showed early Disney films on big screen. It was breathtaking. U see all the details and the atmosphere along with songs are just amazing. It made me wonder. When they have such a broad spectrum of movies. Why not re-release on big screen for all us Disney lovers to enjoy?

 

[216bruce]

Saw Mary Poppins and 20,000 Leagues in the past couple of weeks at our Cinemark multiplex. It's so much better seeing these on the big (XD) screen. Sadly, there were about two or three dozen people there. The 3-d re-releases seem to do well for attendance. I guess you need a gimmick.

 

[wiigirl]

Saw Mary Poppins and 20,000 Leagues in the past couple of weeks at our Cinemark multiplex. It's so much better seeing these on the big (XD) screen. Sadly, there were about two or three dozen people there. The 3-d re-releases seem to do well for attendance. I guess you need a gimmick.

Agreed, I think it takes a lot of marketing and time to get enough people aware and interested to get them in the seats to make it worth the effort.

 

[AndyS2992]

Disney used to release it's classics in cinemas every 7 years or so however once home video came about they didn't see the need to do it anymore. You will see some classics back in selected cinemas to promote the new blu ray/DVD/Diamond Edition releases though.

 

[celticdog]

Occasionally they show them here, but it's a midweek, mid-day showing.

I agree, some movies are meant for the big screen. Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 come to mind.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

With the exception of 3D reissues, home video has replaced theatrical re-releases for Disney mvoies as most people don't see the need to pay to watch them in theatres and buy the video.

3D is different because most people don't have 3D TVs in their homes (yet, if ever), and therefore can't duplicate the experience.

 

[prberk]

They could still do the 7 year cycle for the big ones. People would take their kids just for the experience. They need the national release (with or without the 3-D) for the advertising budget. No other costs other than prints. It is a good idea, as it used to be and is still, for the company to keep the big stories out in the public consciousness. The advantage plays beyond the sreen (with life of the characters strengthened).

Look at the Lion King. People I knew went to see it on the big screen, and most couldn't care less about the 3-D. Some didn't want to pay for it.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

They could still do the 7 year cycle for the big ones. People would take their kids just for the experience. They need the national release (with or without the 3-D) for the advertising budget. No other costs other than prints. It is a good idea, as it used to be and is still, for the company to keep the big stories out in the public consciousness. The advantage plays beyond the sreen (with life of the characters strengthened).

They tried this with Pinocchio in 1992 (7 years after its initial video release), and the returns just weren't what they used to be. It's why gimmicks like IMAX and 3-D were tried to bring in the larger audiences. I'm not saying that nobody would want to see these movies on the big screen, but if the revenue generated is minimal I can see why Disney wouldn't bother, beyond possibly the El Capitan screenings.

Video keeps the stories out in public consciousness and does a fine job of raking in the money for Disney. I don't see how (non 3-D) theatrical runs would substantially increase that as past examples have proven.

Look at the Lion King. People I knew went to see it on the big screen, and most couldn't care less about the 3-D. Some didn't want to pay for it.

But what % of sales were from the 2-D shows? If it was less than 10, for example (according to BOM, 92% of the opening weekend numbers for the re-release had come from 3-D tickets), than 3-D is still arguably the important factor. Remember that IMAX wasn't seen as good enough based on reissue sales for Beauty and the Beast and Lion King.

 

[prberk]

Yes, but some of that is the mass distribution of those films (especially The Liion King) in 3-D, with very few cinemas offering the 2-D in as many showtimes. And now 3-D is overkill. There are diminishing returns.

I do not have a problem with a 3-D release of the classics, but I do not think it is necessary. I also do not have a problem with following the theatrical release with video later. But I do think that the big ones need to be reissued on the big screen periodically. It can be very profitable, even with less than blockbuster box office. They do not need blockbuster box office, just good box office, with a national release with national advertising. They will do well, especially around school holidays (such as Easter week).

The advertising and exposure will have residual benefit in character recognition and endearment over time, including with video. But the theatrical release and national advertising helps to let new generations set it out as important and worth special treatment.

 

[flavious27]

I would just like to see Disney show their past movies on property, besides the campfire movies in fw. How about having them shown all day long at a theater in DHS, and then drive thru movies at either TL or BB.