The movie industry has been facing challenges post-strikes, with the effects still lingering despite an increase in the number of movies in the marketplace. The habit of moviegoing post-pandemic is not yet fully ingrained in audiences. Additionally, the upcoming releases do not seem to be generating a lot of buzz or excitement, which is reflected in the projected box office numbers for the weekend.
The box office performance of the latest releases is a key indicator of the current state of the movie industry. One of the releases is a prequel/spinoff to a beloved cult movie, featuring a new actress in the lead role. The other release is a family movie based on an age-old comic-strip cat known for his love of lasagna. Despite the hopes for a strong opening, it is unlikely that either of these films will reach the $200M+ mark over the four-day weekend, as seen in previous Memorial Day holiday frames.
Warner Bros’ “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” started its previews with a modest $3.5M at 3,400 locations. The film, a desert dystopian epic, has Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy taking on the lead role. The movie is expected to bring in around $40M over the four-day weekend. With a positive reception from critics and audiences, boasting an 89% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 96% audience score, “Furiosa” has the potential to perform well at the box office. Screen Engine/Comscore PostTrak exits indicate strong viewer satisfaction, with a rating of 4 1/2 stars and a 70% recommendation rate.
On the other hand, Alcon/Sony’s “The Garfield Movie” started off with $1.9M in previews at 3,243 locations. The film is projected to achieve a $30M+ box office over the four days. However, “Garfield” received mixed reviews from critics, with a 37% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, general audiences, parents, and kids have given the animated movie high ratings, with an average of 3 1/2 stars. Women are showing more interest in “Garfield,” making up 55% of the audience.
Angels Studios’ “Sight” received positive feedback from viewers, with a 4 1/2-star rating and a 68% recommend rate. The film attracted a predominantly female audience (64%) and appealed to the over 55+ demographic. Paramount’s “IF” had a slower start compared to previous PG live-action titles like “Hop,” but it aims to maintain audience interest and minimize the drop-off in its second week.
The challenges facing the movie industry post-strikes are evident in the performance of recent releases. While some films are exceeding expectations and garnering praise from viewers, others are struggling to make an impact. As the industry continues to navigate the uncertainties brought on by the pandemic and strikes, it will be interesting to see how upcoming releases fare and whether they can revive the box office in the long run.
Leave a Reply