Matrix Revolutions- 130 million
Spiderman 3- 340 million
Pirates of the Caribbean 3- 315 million
Shrek 4- 250 million
Pirates of the Caribbean 4: Sub 250 million
Transformers 3- Sub 330

Even our precious Dark Knight Rises will see a considerable drop off as well, absolutely everything went right (And has horrible as it sounds that includes Ledger's untimely passing) for that film. This rule has been going almost 40 years strong.

First of all, gun, you're exactly right that there is simply a mass audience level, and that a certain point, a sequel will reach it and through no fault of its own, drop.

That said, a couple quibbles:



The common thread for all of these films (save Spider-Man) is that the previous film had mixed word-of-mouth. The only franchise still going strong at this point was Spider-Man, and 3 opened accordingly -- huge[. But audiences didn't like it.



I agree and disagree. Agree because The Dark Knight reached such a penetration level that it will be monstrously difficult to build audience on top of it, even if Rises is just as good if not better. Disagree because, what if Rises is better? In the modern era, the only franchise we've seen hit three home runs in a row was The Lord of the Rings, and it did increase each time. (Granted, The Two Towers didn't explode over the leggy Fellowship of the Ring, so there was more room to grow for the second sequel.)

In the modern era, the only franchise we've seen hit three home runs in a row was The Lord of the Rings, and it did increase each time. (Granted, The Two Towers didn't explode over the leggy Fellowship of the Ring, so there was more room to grow for the second sequel.)

I've been a poster here for a while, and I've said the same thing over and over again, since first coming here in 02.

I can see a lot of people haven't read my whole first post. Please do so you at least what I mean when I say exceptions.

I've already discussed Austin Powers, I think we can safely agree that a 200 million earner is not Mass Audience. I think for a franchise to even be considered to reach Mass audiences (Meaning all genders and demographics) is at grossing at least 350 million adjusted in the US.

Bourne Identity never reached Mass Appeal, and is a mix of Exception 2 and 3.
Austin Powers- Exception 3
LOTR- Exception 2 (Hobbit can be the highest grossing of the series, but will add in Exception 1 to do it)
TDKR- Dark Knight was both parts of Exception 1, crossed with the largest media angle ever to hit a film (Ledger, you could almost never go on TV or read a paper without reading something on his obsession with the role being the death of him for months prior tot he films release)

Are you implying that a comedy making 200M domestic is a disappointment and not good at all?? Really Gun??? I mean how much did a movie like Austin Powers and it's sequel cost to make??? For a comedy, I'd say it had a mass audience just like MEET THE FOCKERS did and look how much that made Domestic???? Gun, you take this shit too seriously for your own good..

I can see a lot of people haven't read my whole first post.

You're right, I didn't. I was only responding to what The Dark Shape said.

Maybe if you weren't so hopelessly self-aggrandizing and self-important, more people would actually read what you have to say.