A colorful and original concept conveyed well in the ultra-heavy advertising. The Marvel/Avengers brand. It plays well with families. A relative dearth of competition. The Glenn Close fan base.

EASILY the biggest factor IMO is the dead market. Similar to how fun & original Transformers blew up in 2007 after a slew of disappointing to very disappointing high profile films/sequels to open the summer, I think GOTG totally capitalized on consumer sentiment for something both good, fun, and original. Even Apes is like the 8th movie of the series.

Everything that has been mentioned along with Winter Soldier bump and "Hooked On A Feeling". The circumstances could not have worked out better for Disney.

A lot of thing went right.

>It looked more refreshing than the usual superhero release and more appealing to non-superhero film audiences.
>Strong marketing. From a marketing angle, it felt more like the must-see event this Summer than any other film released.
>Weak July.

I'm not a big superhero film fan, and it quickly became my most-anticipated superhero film of the year. Which is saying something because I do really like Spider-Man.

Great marketing, wide demographic appeal, strong reviews, good title, released in the right marketplace. Chris Pratt helps the gross already not because people know his name as a draw, but because he has a likable and charismatic face

When I told people at my store that Guardians was really funny and worth seeing, they said "really? It looks silly" I think there is much room for WOM to spread and make this have great legs for such a big opener.

As for what went right, I think the humor translated well in the marketing and the movie delivered.

That's ridiculous. I am pretty sure it was John C. Reilly's pull.

you are correct sir

if someone said months ago Guardians would gross more than DOFP, Cap and Spider-Man on opening day I'm sure we'd all think they were idiots. still crazy to me.

Just think about it, when a sequel comes out, GOTG will probably be more successful that Thor and Captain America's franchises. For a group of superheroes that nobody has ever heard of, that's pretty amazing.

It looked original and marketing made it look like the funniest Marvel movie till date. There was a serious lack of good looking original movies this year....and then July was so barren.

I just saw this for a 2nd time and totally changed my opinion. Viewing it as a big joke, it is somewhat entertaining.

Trying to take it seriously, the vast majority of the film is beyond cringe worthy.

Stop hating on marvel and watch it again with open mind

Dead market. But still its going to end up making close to 300 million and maybe surpass that making it the biggest summer surprise.

Spot on. Why not enjoy both Marvel and DC?

It's biggest sell is that it's Marvel - yet it's not.

I love Marvel movies. Iron Man 1, Captain 1 and 2, and espec. Avengers are awesome.

This movie is not. View it under the same lens and its terrible. Plot characters DIALOGUE (holy shit was it "tell dont show").

At this point, it seems like Marvel Studios is just as strong a brand as Pixar was at its peak. That helps a lot.

And, yes again, the most distinctive marketing of the summer alongside Godzilla. Both had practically the same opening day, although WOM on Guardians is far, far better, obviously.

Excel is suffering from Crash syndrome.

That's why I said this:



It has the Marvel pedigree as back-up but for many it just seemed fresh, fun and exciting - and not another superhero film. Hence audiences were excited.

The weak summer also helps offcourse.

The women appeal can not be understated. And it was original. And everything everyone else said.

What's so special about Pratt? He's the most average looking white guy I have ever seen. Girls really do love fame, I guess.

He's funny and good looking, and now F-in ripped. Fame has nothing to do with it. He was married to Anna Farris long before he slimmed down for Zero Dark Thirty.

Looks like an average jock to me.

Were you a nerd in school?