Oh, I don't think the movie has flopped or anything, and the positive reaction to it suggests it will have legs. It's just not nearly as high as I expected.
X-Men FC: Only $56 Million estimated for opening weekend.
- Thread starter Argus Skyhawk
- Start date
QFT.
I do get that, and maybe it would have been different if I cared about Charles or Erik, but this movie didn't make me do that. I guess it was just an origin story I didn't need to see.
I saw it mentioned that FC made about as much in its opening weekend as the first film, however X-Men opened in 600 fewer theaters, so FC's got the worst per-theater average of any X-Men film to date.
We'll see if it does well by holding on, but I'm thinking the best case is for it to hit $140M domestically. The $128M number I saw thrown around earlier even sounds a bit optimistic.
The international cume will help but it seems like it's always the domestic haul that makes or breaks the sequel decision. If it doesn't at least make back its budget domestically, I really doubt there will be a sequel.
We'll see if it does well by holding on, but I'm thinking the best case is for it to hit $140M domestically. The $128M number I saw thrown around earlier even sounds a bit optimistic.
The international cume will help but it seems like it's always the domestic haul that makes or breaks the sequel decision. If it doesn't at least make back its budget domestically, I really doubt there will be a sequel.
One thing that works out to FC's favor is that Fox does the distribution both in the US and globally. Often, this is not the case--some other company will do the worldwide distribution and thus the US studio gets a smaller cut.
So, yeah, worldwide box office will be more helpful to FC, but I think if the US box office is disappointing it won't matter what the global numbers look like. Sequels are usually assumed to make less money than the previous film, and studios don't like risk. If FC doesn't make very much of a profit, that dims the hopes that a subsequent film would be profitable at all.
Yep.
And inflation does matter - it just does. Without factoring it in, comparisons are meaningless. This movie has effectively made far less than the first X-Men did in its opening weekend.
No, y'all all sound like ya invested in the movie & are waitin' for your stock in it to rise!
And don't give me that whole "fans invest time & energy for years/decades" crap - I mean that anyone here put real money into the production of this film.
But, anyway, I have an idea of why this movie didn't do better - no tie-in toy line. Go to the store, ya see lots of Thor, Green Lantern & Captain America. Hell, they still have Iron Man 2 toys sellin' right now (and I know they are, 'cause they keep gettin' restocked, and never go on clearance).
But there isn't a single "First Class" action figure to be had, and that sucks.
Couldn't find any for "Origins" when it came out, either. But I got action figures based off the first three movies (only Nightcrawler, Bobby, Cyclops & Beast from the sequels, but everyon else from the first one).
It's just kind of silly that Temis felt the need in the discussion thread to declare a flop on just the midnight showing earnings. That was just a bit premature. It's possible since she used one of those big grin emoticons that she was being sarcastic but given her disdain for the film franchise I'm guessing it wasn't. Next weekend First Class will be up against "Super 8"...another period piece...it will be an interesting battle.
It all depends on what the studio will be satisified with. But with the recent recession, weak job market etc.. People are less likely to splurge on treats. And given the cost of a trip to the cinema these days most would count it as a treat.
For me to goto the cinema including tickets/getting there/a drink etc.. It would cost around £13-£15 or US$19-US$23
For me to goto the cinema including tickets/getting there/a drink etc.. It would cost around £13-£15 or US$19-US$23
Thank you Odo! No merchandise is a big problem! A soundtrack, that is it? No kids seeing a toy in the store and shouting until they see it, you don't say? 
You know, I wonder if they are adding theaters now? 1 of my local smaller theaters was not showing First Class this weekend, but it is now. Maybe there is a second wave of rural showings they considered as a build up plan? I agree they need to be realistic with a recession. As much as it looks like numbers are down from the first movie, you have to be grateful for what you get today. I paid $8.50 for a matinee with 3.5% tax. I'm not that old and I remember when you could pay $4 and get the soda and popcorn, too.
My husband laughed at my theories because he said the box office take has to cover budget, marketing, and merchandise. I seriously told him they only had 2 out of 3. I want to see it again. I'd hope that is the longevity they want, multiple viewers. I don't think they expected to convert anybody.
And it is kind of silly that there is another X-Men thread. I feel like I'm spending more time here talking Fass than Trek.
You know, I wonder if they are adding theaters now? 1 of my local smaller theaters was not showing First Class this weekend, but it is now. Maybe there is a second wave of rural showings they considered as a build up plan? I agree they need to be realistic with a recession. As much as it looks like numbers are down from the first movie, you have to be grateful for what you get today. I paid $8.50 for a matinee with 3.5% tax. I'm not that old and I remember when you could pay $4 and get the soda and popcorn, too.
My husband laughed at my theories because he said the box office take has to cover budget, marketing, and merchandise. I seriously told him they only had 2 out of 3. I want to see it again. I'd hope that is the longevity they want, multiple viewers. I don't think they expected to convert anybody.
And it is kind of silly that there is another X-Men thread. I feel like I'm spending more time here talking Fass than Trek.
I'm reminded of "Superman Returns"
I didn't catch your review in the main thread, I don't think you posted one, but what did you think man?
^ I've not posted in the the main discussion yet...I'm working on my review...but suffice to say that I thought it was outstanding.
Worldwide its about $120 million total so hardly a flop and the reviews are out of the world so we could see Batman Begins level of word of mouth. I think the final total will be about $350 million, enough to make a sequel (maybe smaller budget) for the planned prequel trilogy.
Let's hope they give Singer/Vaughn and company more time too
Why is this? anyone? Why does the studio care *where* the money is made?
The studio cares where the box office is generated from because it gives them an idea of who is seeing their movies in terms. One region might be more interested than another for example the Narnia movies make most of their box office intake overseas rather than in North America.
I suppose that info might help you tailor a sequel to your audience (if Europeans are paying millions to see these films, let's make them more Euro-friendly!) but I don't see how it affects the decision *whether* or not to make the sequel.
If you make millions of dollars, why does it matter where it came from?
If you make millions of dollars, why does it matter where it came from?