Weekend 8 Numbers - Star Trek #8 - $3.6 million - $246.2 million

[MvRojo]

I just read at BOP that, had Paramount not been so all-fired intent on pulling theaters, Star Trek could've had an even better weekend... but then, hindsight...

Interesting. They even say it could have been a 300 million movie overall. Who knows...

I don't understand how these things work. why would Paramount be so intent at pulling Trek out of theaters? is there a reason for it?

I do believe that the IMAX run contributed heavily to the numbers. once we lost that, understandably, we slowed down.

Now that it's 8 weeks in, Paramount isn't making as much on Trek since the theatres are getting a bigger chunk now. So, if they can free up more theatres for other movies like Transformers, they're going to get more money that way.

 

[Rackon]

Its sad Trek got passed by another Pixar crapfest. Pixar films are the most overrated films in Hollywood

The family and little kid advantage always helps these films

Pixar crapfest? What in the world are you talking about? Both Wall-E and Up! have been amongst the best movies of each year. Pixar makes excellent movies and has really only had one bump with its horrible Cars.

Indeed!! Hardly a crapfest , even if it's not the best of Pixar, Up is still better than 98% of what hits the screens at your local cineplex. It's hard to overrate good films. And IMO Up is a very good film, by anyone's standards.

Pixar is one of the few studios that makes commercial movies that please audiences and critics alike. That they also appeal to children does not mean they're childish. Au contraire. They have a track record second to none for both excellence and box office success, which leads me to believe that if other filmmakers had the balls to put story and character first they too might reap rewards.

For true excellence in commercial animation you got Miyazaki in Japan and Aardman in Britain, although Aardman doesn't really do features. Cars and A Bug's Life are the only Pixar movies I didn't flat out love, and both movies contain many fine moments. I own DVDs of Toy Story 1 & 2, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Wall-E. They proudly share space with my Criterion Collection editions. I do not own Shrek anything and never will.

I suppose Warmaster thinks The Iron Giant is a kiddie film too. (Brad Bird is a genius, harrumph!!)

 

[Borgminister]

Interesting. They even say it could have been a 300 million movie overall. Who knows...

I don't understand how these things work. why would Paramount be so intent at pulling Trek out of theaters? is there a reason for it?

I do believe that the IMAX run contributed heavily to the numbers. once we lost that, understandably, we slowed down.

Now that it's 8 weeks in, Paramount isn't making as much on Trek since the theatres are getting a bigger chunk now. So, if they can free up more theatres for other movies like Transformers, they're going to get more money that way.

Do the theaters have a say, or is it centrally managed?

I mean, how much more could Transformers get from the smaller venues where Trek is being pulled?

I'm not sure it would get to 300 million anyway, and I suppose the main thing is there will be a sequel.

I can only hope it follows the Dark Knight / Transformers II pattern and plows through the 300 barrier.

 

[indranee]

Interesting. They even say it could have been a 300 million movie overall. Who knows...

I don't understand how these things work. why would Paramount be so intent at pulling Trek out of theaters? is there a reason for it?

I do believe that the IMAX run contributed heavily to the numbers. once we lost that, understandably, we slowed down.

Now that it's 8 weeks in, Paramount isn't making as much on Trek since the theatres are getting a bigger chunk now. So, if they can free up more theatres for other movies like Transformers, they're going to get more money that way.

oh, so, as the weeks go by the studio makes less and less percentage of the cut and the theaters make more? interesting, thanks! I did not know that.

 

[Borgminister]

I don't understand how these things work. why would Paramount be so intent at pulling Trek out of theaters? is there a reason for it?

I do believe that the IMAX run contributed heavily to the numbers. once we lost that, understandably, we slowed down.

Now that it's 8 weeks in, Paramount isn't making as much on Trek since the theatres are getting a bigger chunk now. So, if they can free up more theatres for other movies like Transformers, they're going to get more money that way.

oh, so, as the weeks go by the studio makes less and less percentage of the cut and the theaters make more? interesting, thanks! I did not know that.

Well shouldn't the theaters be able to fight to keep it a few more weeks?

Doesn't matter, my IMAX will be showing it. Screw the regular theaters...

 

[MvRojo]

I don't understand how these things work. why would Paramount be so intent at pulling Trek out of theaters? is there a reason for it?

I do believe that the IMAX run contributed heavily to the numbers. once we lost that, understandably, we slowed down.

Now that it's 8 weeks in, Paramount isn't making as much on Trek since the theatres are getting a bigger chunk now. So, if they can free up more theatres for other movies like Transformers, they're going to get more money that way.

Do the theaters have a say, or is it centrally managed?

I mean, how much more could Transformers get from the smaller venues where Trek is being pulled?

I'm not sure it would get to 300 million anyway, and I suppose the main thing is there will be a sequel.

I can only hope it follows the Dark Knight / Transformers II pattern and plows through the 300 barrier.

I think Paramount has control since they are the distributors and can tell the theatres to send back the film whenever they want. I don't have any direct knowledge of that, but it makes sense.

And I hope Trek 2 increases as much as those films have. Transformers 2 is on track to clear $400 million now.

 

[Rackon]

Interesting. They even say it could have been a 300 million movie overall. Who knows...

I don't understand how these things work. why would Paramount be so intent at pulling Trek out of theaters? is there a reason for it?

I do believe that the IMAX run contributed heavily to the numbers. once we lost that, understandably, we slowed down.

Now that it's 8 weeks in, Paramount isn't making as much on Trek since the theatres are getting a bigger chunk now. So, if they can free up more theatres for other movies like Transformers, they're going to get more money that way.

Exactly. Paramount needs the screen count for their newest release, Transformers 2. Moreover, those screens were booked months ago with the theater chains and individual exhibitors. The theaters themselves have some discretion with keeping or loosing Trek, but they have to fulfill their committments to Transformers and other new releases. Since Paramount distributes Trek in the US, they will want it out there making money, but the BO for XI is gravy. Paramount's priority right now is with maximizing the first couple weeks of Transformers.

And really, Trek has displayed wonderful legs. It doesn't need a huge number of auditoriums at this point. As long is retains a reasonable number of screens and puts butts in seats, it will stay in theaters where it's profitable. It's gonna make what it's gonna make at this point. I am amazed and pleased however, that it's going to go over $250m. I don't think $300 was ever realistic, not with Transformers coming out. But XI did great!

Studios retain more of the box office early in the theatrical run - that's why the huge screen counts for blockbusters. So many movies don't have legs, they have to make money for the studio in the first couple weeks before they drop off the radar and bad WOM kills them. It's called "front-loading". Why do you think your refreshments cost so much? That's how the theaters make their profits. With something like Transformers, everyone will make money.

The way theatrical bookings work, the longer a movie is in theaters the more the scale inclines to the exhibitors benefit (i.e. movie theaters). The theatersand movie chains are making more off XI now than than a month ago. If they're still selling tickets to ST, and if their other bookings allow them to keep XI, theaters will run it for another few weeks. Then it's off to second run houses. It will vary from region to region, but XI is still going strong in Indy.

 

[Borgminister]

Now that it's 8 weeks in, Paramount isn't making as much on Trek since the theatres are getting a bigger chunk now. So, if they can free up more theatres for other movies like Transformers, they're going to get more money that way.

Do the theaters have a say, or is it centrally managed?

I mean, how much more could Transformers get from the smaller venues where Trek is being pulled?

I'm not sure it would get to 300 million anyway, and I suppose the main thing is there will be a sequel.

I can only hope it follows the Dark Knight / Transformers II pattern and plows through the 300 barrier.

I think Paramount has control since they are the distributors and can tell the theatres to send back the film whenever they want. I don't have any direct knowledge of that, but it makes sense.

And I hope Trek 2 increases as much as those films have. Transformers 2 is on track to clear $400 million now.

You know, if IMAXes are getting the film back, maybe that'll soften the blow.

BTW, how are proceeds counted from double-features (ST and TrII), I wonder?

 

[MvRojo]

Do the theaters have a say, or is it centrally managed?

I mean, how much more could Transformers get from the smaller venues where Trek is being pulled?

I'm not sure it would get to 300 million anyway, and I suppose the main thing is there will be a sequel.

I can only hope it follows the Dark Knight / Transformers II pattern and plows through the 300 barrier.

I think Paramount has control since they are the distributors and can tell the theatres to send back the film whenever they want. I don't have any direct knowledge of that, but it makes sense.

And I hope Trek 2 increases as much as those films have. Transformers 2 is on track to clear $400 million now.

You know, if IMAXes are getting the film back, maybe that'll soften the blow.

BTW, how are proceeds counted from double-features (ST and TrII), I wonder?

Not sure. But if I was Paramount, I'd throw them towards Transformers in order to make its opening even bigger. Especially if it's this close to DK's 5-day opening record.

 

[Borgminister]

I don't understand how these things work. why would Paramount be so intent at pulling Trek out of theaters? is there a reason for it?

I do believe that the IMAX run contributed heavily to the numbers. once we lost that, understandably, we slowed down.

Now that it's 8 weeks in, Paramount isn't making as much on Trek since the theatres are getting a bigger chunk now. So, if they can free up more theatres for other movies like Transformers, they're going to get more money that way.

Exactly. Paramount needs the screen count for their newest release, Transformers 2. Moreover, those screens were booked months ago with the theater chains and individual exhibitors. The theaters themselves have some discretion with keeping or loosing Trek, but they have to fulfill their committments to Transformers and other new releases. Since Paramount distributes Trek in the US, they will want it out there making money, but the BO for XI is gravy. Paramount's priority right now is with maximizing the first couple weeks of Transformers.

And really, Trek has displayed wonderful legs. It doesn't need a huge number of auditoriums at this point. As long is retains a reasonable number of screens and puts butts in seats, it will stay in theaters where it's profitable. It's gonna make what it's gonna make at this point. I am amazed and pleased however, that it's going to go over $250m. I don't think $300 was ever realistic, not with Transformers coming out. But XI did great!

Studios retain more of the box office early in the theatrical run - that's why the huge screen counts for blockbusters. So many movies don't have legs, they have to make money for the studio in the first couple weeks before they drop off the radar and bad WOM kills them. It's called "front-loading". Why do you think your refreshments cost so much? That's how the theaters make their profits. With something like Transformers, everyone will make money.

The way theatrical bookings work, the longer a movie is in theaters the more the scale inclines to the exhibitors benefit (i.e. movie theaters). The theatersand movie chains are making more off XI now than than a month ago. If they're still selling tickets to ST, and if their other bookings allow them to keep XI, theaters will run it for another few weeks. Then it's off to second run houses. It will vary from region to region, but XI is still going strong in Indy.

Thanks for that rather thorough analysis...

 

[Daneel]

Da-Duh-Da-Dum! Presenting, once again, the International Top 10 Highest-Grossing Films of 2009! This includes the weekend estimates, which will probably change slightly when the weekend is over, so I'll adjust my list accordingly when they do (ETA: the Transformers: ROTF totals are now updated in this list). Here you go:

1. Angels & Demons
Domestic: $130,235,000 / 28.2%
+ Foreign: $330,852,871 / 71.8%
= Worldwide: $461,087,871

2. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Domestic: $201,246,000 / 52%
+ Foreign: $186,100,000 / 48%
= Worldwide: $387,346,000

3. Star Trek
Domestic: $246,225,000 / 66.7%
+ Foreign: $123,000,997 / 33.3%
= Worldwide: $369,225,997

4. Monsters vs. Aliens
Domestic: $195,971,000 / 53.1%
+ Foreign: $172,935,849 / 46.9%
= Worldwide: $368,906,849

5. X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Domestic: $177,837,000 / 49.3%
+ Foreign: $183,247,800 / 50.7%
= Worldwide: $361,084,800

6. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Domestic: $163,248,000 / 45.7%
+ Foreign: $194,115,120 / 54.3%
= Worldwide: $357,363,120

7. Fast and Furious
Domestic: $155,020,000 / 44.4%
+ Foreign: $194,138,079 / 55.6%
= Worldwide: $349,158,079

8. Terminator Salvation
Domestic: $121,922,000 / 37.7%
+ Foreign: $201,543,644 / 62.3%
= Worldwide: $323,465,644

9. Up
Domestic: $250,218,000 / 87.6%
+ Foreign: $35,364786 / 12.4%
= Worldwide: $285,582,786

10. The Hangover
Domestic: $183,247,000 / 85.8%
+ Foreign: $30,300,000 / 14.2%
= Worldwide: $213,547,000

Yes, Trek lost its crown as highest-grossing film of 2009 at the domestic box office, but on the plus side, it did overtake Monsters vs. Aliens at the international level... however, so did Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, which also passed Trek, keeping our beloved film in the #3 spot.

trampledamage, Year One's budget is estimated at $60 million, so it hasn't really done that well thus far, no. However, it has yet to open in the majority of foreign markets, so it has a bit of a chance to make its money back.

MvRojo and Rackon, thanks for insight and info... interesting stuff!

 

[MvRojo]

FYI, Transformers 2's global total has already surpassed Trek. It stands at $387 million ($201 million domestic, $186 million international).

 

[Borgminister]

MvRojo and Rackon, thanks for insight and info... interesting stuff!

And to you--Star Trek's box office story has brought out the bean-counter in me, that's for sure...

 

[Daneel]

FYI, Transformers 2's global total has already surpassed Trek. It stands at $387 million ($201 million domestic, $186 million international)

Really? Huh, I wonder why Box Office Mojo is giving the figure I've listed above. I can't believe the weekend estimates would be that far off.

 

[MvRojo]

FYI, Transformers 2's global total has already surpassed Trek. It stands at $387 million ($201 million domestic, $186 million international)

Really? Huh, I wonder why Box Office Mojo is giving the figure I've listed above. I can't believe the weekend estimates would be that far off.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/ent...to-364-million-worldwide-fiveday-opening.html

BOM is always behind in international numbers.

 

[Daneel]

Thanks. I'm guessing Box Office Mojo simply hasn't added the foreign totals to its site yet. I'll make the changes to my list.

 

[Flake]

And I hope Trek 2 increases as much as those films have. Transformers 2 is on track to clear $400 million now.

I think Trek 2 or 12 - whatever - has $300 million in the bag, its been well received and its only going to be seen by more and more people before the next one comes out through DVD rentals, then DVD sales, PPV, Cable and finally network television and I think many of those people exposed to it will enjoy it enough to go see the next one at the cinema because its a crowd pleaser!

Iron Man 2 will be the best indicator, whatever it increases Trek will increase the same percentage or perhaps more.

 

[Daneel]

MvRojo and Rackon, thanks for insight and info... interesting stuff!

And to you--Star Trek's box office story has brought out the bean-counter in me, that's for sure...

In me as well! I usually don't follow the box office results this passionately, but I feel like I have a... vested interest in them this summer.

 

[Cyrus]

Well shouldn't the theaters be able to fight to keep it a few more weeks

If a theater absolutely wants to keep it then they can, assuming they haven't already booked all their screens for other movies. That's why in some theaters it ends up sharing a screen with another movie, and gets shown one or twice a day.

This is why all these inflation adjusted comparisons to previous Trek movies are not that meaningful. Studios used to release fewer movies and open them in fewer theaters, so they ended up staying in theaters a lot longer.

 

[Larraby]

Its sad Trek got passed by another Pixar crapfest. Pixar films are the most overrated films in Hollywood

The family and little kid advantage always helps these films

Star Trek is a fun summer movie with big explosions and loud sound effects but suffers from minimal character development and a ridiculous storyline that is filled with plot holes. However, it did accomplish the main goal of appealing a bit more to the masses and therefore making the franchise viable again.

Pixar creates some of the finest films made, animated or otherwise, by focusing first and foremost on character development instead of relying solely on special effects. Of course, the main demographic are children but it does appeal to adults by providing smart, witty stories.

I would suggest you view Ratatouille, which I believe is a work of art.