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[Kacho]

The D.C. metro area wasn't the only place where those films failed to connect. "Roofman" debuted to a paltry $8 million, while "Smashing Machine" endured a brutal 70% decline in its sophomore outing, bringing revenues to $10.1 million. As for other films aimed at adults, "Kiss of the Spider Woman," a $34 million-budgeted musical adaptation with Jennifer Lopez, fizzled with $850,000 — albeit from far fewer theaters than Tatum's film.

Even Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another," led by Leonardo DiCaprio, struggled to break out despite being hailed as a generational masterpiece. Though the global haul of $140 million is impressive for a film that's original, R rated and nearly three hours long, "One Battle" requires roughly $300 million to break even. That's because Warner Bros. spent more than $130 million on production and $70 million on promotional efforts, and ticket sales are typically split 50-50 between studios and theater operators. Meanwhile DiCaprio typically gets first-dollar gross on his movies, meaning he gets a percentage of box office revenues before the studio recoups any costs.

"One Battle After Another," which is mounting a multimillion-dollar Oscar campaign, is tracking to lose $100 million, according to studio executives with knowledge of the economics of similar-sized films.

"These prestige-type movies have failed to create a sense of FOMO among audiences," says Fandango's box office analyst Shawn Robbins. "They weren't event-ized enough."

Robbins also wonders whether audiences have been trained to wait for streaming debuts to see certain films, particularly the ones that don't feature superheroes, marauding dinosaurs or Christopher Nolan-style pyrotechnics. Since COVID, studios have shrunk the amount of time that films are exclusively available in theaters from 90 days to, in some cases, a couple of weeks.

"People have come to expect these movies to be available in the home much sooner than they used to be," he says.

"Consumers go to the theater a few times a year at most. They gravitate towards what they know; sequels, prequels and spinoffs where they're less likely to walk away disappointed," Texas Capital Securities analyst Eric Wold says. "It's always been tough for studios to put a lot into original IP. Risk of failure is higher."

‘One Battle After Another’ Projected to Lose $100 Million Theatrically as ‘Smashing Machine’ and Others Also Struggle Due to Oversized Budgets

Why "The Smashing Machine," "One Battle After Another" and other buzzy films are failing to make a profit at the box office.

variety.com

 

[Kacho]

Tron Ares wasn't mentioned but it's another flop. I've heard nothing but bad things. Rough few weeks for Hollywood.

The 'Tron: Ares' Flop Will Probably End Jared Leto's Leading Man Career

Leto was already on shaky ground with "Morbius" but the latest disappointment likely kills any future franchise prospects

The 'Tron: Ares' Flop Will Probably End Jared Leto's Leading Man Career | Analysis

Disney’s “Tron: Ares” is the latest in a string of flops starring Jared Leto, including "Morbius" and "Haunted Mansion"

www.thewrap.com

 

[Donald mac Ronald]

Is Tron flopping Leto's fault? It could be anyone playing the character.

 

[Kacho]

Is Tron flopping Leto's fault? It could be anyone playing the character.

No, but he's not a draw as a leading man. His core audience is thirsty housewives and that's it.

 

[Stitch]

Most Paul Thomas Anderson movies bomb or at least don't earn much money. There Will Be Blood was the most successful one with $76.2 million earned on a $25 million budget.

No idea why Warner thought it would be a good idea to give him this huge budget.

 

[Kacho]

Most Paul Thomas Anderson movies bomb or at least don't earn much money. There Will Be Blood was the most successful one with $76.2 million earned on a $25 million budget.

No idea why Warner thought it would be a good idea to give him this huge budget.

I read Leo asks for 20-30 million per movie, though sometimes more. I wonder how much of the budget went to him alone.

 

[AJUMP23]

Roofman looked interesting but I saw no marketing for it. Same with Smashing machine. Tron looked pretty bad. and I thought he trailer for OBAA was awful.

 

[DKehoe]

I've not seen Roofman yet. But One Battle After Another is fantastic and I really liked The Smashing Machine too, both are well worth checking out if you get the chance.

 

[poppabk]

No, but he's not a draw as a leading man. His core audience is thirsty housewives and that's it.

The days of actors being a big box office draw is kinda coming to an end, I think. People will no longer blindly go see "the new *actor* movie" in the same numbers. They still have an impact but it isn't of the same magnitude as in the past.

 

[spookyfish]

I'm convinced movie-making is just money laundering at this point, with these giant budgets that will never recoup their costs.

 

[The_hunter]

Demon slayer infinity castle made 650 million on a 20 million budget.

 

[Kacho]

I definitely want to see Smashing Machine. Not something I'd go to the theater for though.

 

[ssringo]

I haven't been to the movies in 20 years now. I just find videos from randoms on the internet more entertaining than the vast majority of stuff coming out of Hollywood. That's not even considering the considerable amount of streaming content I have access to at home. Plus I don't have to deal with traffic or the inconsiderate dipshits in the theater. Even if there is something that sounds/looks good I'm perfectly fine waiting. It just doesn't seem worth it to go out to the movies anymore.

As an aside, the last time I was in a theater was to see The Bourne Supremacy. I walked out because the godawful shaky cam was making me sick.

 

[Dr. Samuel Hayden]

Good

 

[near]

I read Leo asks for 20-30 million per movie, though sometimes more. I wonder how much of the budget went to him alone.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood cost around $90 million. Tarantino + Pitt + Leo + Robbie and a full period production set.

This is a Warner Bros issue. No idea how a film like this even cost $175+ million. It makes no sense.

 

[March Climber]

One of my local theaters held a free event to win prizes as long as people watched trailers for upcoming movies. I think these theaters want people to check out new original stuff, but everyone keeps sticking to established big name franchises and big name directors like glue.

A lot of unknown or smaller movies that people would randomly discover and like in the past, simply wouldn't succeed the same way today.

 

[MayauMiao]

Demon slayer infinity castle made 650 million on a 20 million budget.

Someone need to adapt more anime to live action. I want a Macross movie. It can be done!

 

[Poppinfresh]

I haven't been to a theater in probably a decade at this point and don't plan on going anytime soon.

I have a huge OLED, surround sound, comfy couch, and I can pause whatever I'm watching whenever I want. There's zero reason for me to step foot in a theater.

That said, if you make movies that aren't dogshit, people will see them in the theater. I mean, not me, but other people presumably.

 

[Fbh]

Haven't seen it, but how did the budget get so big? From the trailers it doesn't look like it would need super expensive CG

Demon slayer infinity castle made 650 million on a 20 million budget.

I think Demon Slayer is a good example of how important it's going to be to tell engaging ongoing stories to have people show up at the movie theater.
Now that most people have a decent big TV at home the whole appeal of watching something at the theater has been diminished. Most of the time I'd rather watch movies at home because it's more comfortable, cheaper and I still get a good audiovisual experience. It's not like when I was a kid and we only had a 24" CRT at home.

But if you manage to engage a big audience and have them wanting to see what happens in the story ASAP (or see their favorite parts of the manga animated), they'll show up. The value is less in the audiovisual experience and more in the early access to the movie.

 

[Punished Miku]

The movies honestly look pretty good.

I'd watch Tron, Smashing Machine and One Battle After Another.

Am I going to the theater for it? Nope. I'll go for Avatar 3 though.

 

[Spyxos]

I've been wanting to go to the movies again for a while, but somehow nothing appeals to me. And I wouldn't watch any of the above-mentioned films at the cinema either.

 

[GateofD]

meanwhile, Keavu Reeves who is probably a box office draw is in Good Fortune with a budget of just $30mil. Though feels like every now and then, he picks a script he thinks is fun and takes a really small pay for it just to hang out.

 

[Trilobit]

‘One Battle After Another’ Projected to Lose $100 Million Theatrically as ‘Smashing Machine’ and Others Also Struggle Due to Oversized Budgets

Why "The Smashing Machine," "One Battle After Another" and other buzzy films are failing to make a profit at the box office.

variety.com

 

[GateofD]

I read Leo asks for 20-30 million per movie, though sometimes more. I wonder how much of the budget went to him alone.

Given Leo's filmography, that sounds pretty reasonable. Compared to The Rock who demands like $30-50mil+ for his role which is just ridiculous

 

[Hari Seldon]

I don't know why they thought Tron would be a hit. It has always been niche. OBAA is likely too political for the budget. I know I didn't see it because i'm sick of political shit.

 

[Donald mac Ronald]

No, but he's not a draw as a leading man. His core audience is thirsty housewives and that's it.

I didn't even see his name advertise in the trailer, I saw his character though.

I think you could have put Leo there and it would be the same. However yes he will not be getting these roles in future.

Who's even a box office draw any more ?

 

[calico]

Good to see that Antifa propaganda has to be very heavily subsidized.

 

[nightfly]

All these overflated budgets are insane, especially considering you can very easily make a great movie without it. The first Terminator, Alien and Predator movies were amazing despite having pretty low budgets.

If they would just focus on good writing, acting, stories etc. They can do fine without insane budgets.

 

[Kacho]

Who's even a box office draw any more ?

There are still actors with star power. RDJ, Pratt, Leo, Pitt, etc. Getting them in your movie does more to help it attract an audience.

But you're right, I don't think Tron would be saved with Leo. The IP is a product of its time and doesn't resonate with people these days.

 

[DKehoe]

I didn't even see his name advertise in the trailer, I saw his character though.

I think you could have put Leo there and it would be the same. However yes he will not be getting these roles in future.

Who's even a box office draw any more ?

Stars aren't really a major draw anymore. It's more about IP. People want what they're already familiar with and generally don't want to venture outside of that.

 

[IntentionalPun]

A movie like One Battle will make money over time. They all want big theatrical profits but they also don't always expect it. I doubt One Battle didn't meet expectations.

 

[YCoCg]

"Where are the original movies these days? All we ever see is Marvel trash!"

Also it's still hilarious to see the ones screaming about One Battle as those who haven't seen it and keep labelling it Far Left Propaganda Woke Trash based on reactions from YouTube Grifters. Same way "Caught Stealing" didn't catch on because before the movie was even out you even had people here on this very forum being all like "Oh bet it's about how the woman is smarter than the rest" and all that bullshit when the movie was the furthest thing from that.

 

[DKehoe]

"Where are the original movies these days? All we ever see is Marvel trash!"

Also it's still hilarious to see the ones screaming about One Battle as those who haven't seen it and keep labelling it Far Left Propaganda Woke Trash based on reactions from YouTube Grifters. Same way "Caught Stealing" didn't catch on because before the movie was even out you even had people here on this very forum being all like "Oh bet it's about how the woman is smarter than the rest" and all that bullshit when the movie was the furthest thing from that.

Were people saying that about Caught Stealing? That's kinda funny considering the girlfriend is murdered not long into the film.

 

[calico]

A movie like One Battle will make money over time. They all want big theatrical profits but they also don't always expect it. I doubt One Battle didn't meet expectations.

Yeah I don't think they care much in this case. The expectation is 'awards', which it will get for political reasons.

 

[DKehoe]

Yeah I don't think they care much in this case. The expectation is 'awards', which it will get for political reasons.

What have been your favourite films so far this year?

 

[thefool]

I thought it was a bit strange someone gave PTA $130M, when the trailer dropped...oh, that's why.

After Conclave last year, one of the most repulsing movies I have seen, I'm sure this will get many accolades and be pushed during award season.

 

[YCoCg]

Were people saying that about Caught Stealing? That's kinda funny considering the girlfriend is murdered not long into the film.

Exactly! But you know what some people here are like, they don't want good films, they want stuff they can bitch about.

 

[jason10mm]

Someone need to adapt more anime to live action. I want a Macross movie. It can be done!

Hasn't Tobey Macguire (of Spiderman fame) been kicking this around for decades?

I feel the effects tech is there now, and Kpop demon hunters shows that Asian chicks singing the right songs can sell. But daaaaamn, macross would be a big undertaking.

 

[Kacho]

Weapons is the only movie released this year that I want to see and haven't yet. That was a huge success at the box office.

 

[EviLore]

Caught Stealing was pretty good. It's a bit ridiculous to suddenly expect PTA and Darren Aronofsky to be "woke" though. They're hardcore filmmakers who have a strong grip on the fundamentals of human nature.

 

[BennyBlanco]

I read Leo asks for 20-30 million per movie, though sometimes more. I wonder how much of the budget went to him alone.

The only time he's willing to go above 25

 

[DKehoe]

Weapons is the only movie released this year that I want to see and haven't yet. That was a huge success at the box office.

You haven't seen any new movies this year?

Caught Stealing was pretty good. It's a bit ridiculous to suddenly expect PTA and Darren Aronofsky to be "woke" though. They're hardcore filmmakers who have a strong grip on the fundamentals of human nature.

Yeh, Caught Stealing is a fun watch. A guy gets in over his head with a bunch of wacky characters and has to work his way out of it. When I posted about it someone else said they said they thought it felt like an early Guy Ritchie film and I thought that was a good comparison.

 

[Kacho]

The only time he's willing to go above 25

 

[Hari Seldon]

Exactly! But you know what some people here are like, they don't want good films, they want stuff they can bitch about.

1. People want good films.
2. People do not want to pay money to see good films in theaters.

Both things are true.

 

[Saber]

The entire premise of this film is stupid imo.

And Tron is not that popular but its failing is mostly because of typical Disney modern retardness. No wonders some theaters here are showing Toy Story 1 again.

 

[calico]

What have been your favourite films so far this year?

Warfare was pretty good.

 

[Kacho]

You haven't seen any new movies this year?

I saw Minecraft and Jurassic World in the theater with my kids. I watched Killer of Killers on Hulu… and that's about it. I'll probably catch the new Predator by myself when that drops.

I plan to watch Smashing Machine when it hits digital, and I'll watch Weapons eventually.

Nothing else has looked interesting to me. Never heard of Caught Stealing until this thread.

Edit: saw LILO and Stich in the theater with my kids as well. Obviously not something I'd watch if not for the kids.

 

[Fake]

Wasn't the reviewers after reviewers giving this movie like a 10/10 saying is the next thing before Christ?

What happen? Oh yeah, reviewers don't know shit, the only thing they want are political correct movies aligned with their views.

 

[YCoCg]

Never heard of Caught Stealing until this thread.

It's a pretty damn good romp and worth a watch. But the fact you've not heard about it highlights the problem of good films just being ignored where as I bet you know what films are "woke" and what you don't want to watch.

 

[DKehoe]

Wasn't the reviewers after reviewers giving this movie like a 10/10 saying is the next thing before Christ?

What happen? Oh yeah, reviewers don't know shit, the only thing they want are political correct movies aligned with their views.

It's a good movie. If you check out the thread for it on here you'll see it's being well received by the GAFers who watch it, not just reviewers.