Would be funny if the re-release would open to bigger numbers than it originally opened to.

Don't forget that The Lion King was also helped by a cetain specific factor that might not be around in a similarway for Titanic.

There is NOTHING out there for the families at the moment. Nothing. The second-highest grossing family-oriented film is going to make around $1 million this weekend. In all of August we had two films aimed at kids - The Smurfs (released right at the beginning of August) and Spy Kids which bombed. There was just nothing.

Trust me, Toy Story/Toy Story 2 combo would have done around $20 million or more as well had it been in any similar circumstances. But look at the weekend when it opened:

http://boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/ ... =40&p=.htm

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs made almost $16 million that weekend.

Therefore, for Titanic, even with IMAX, I see no more than $20-22 million for the opening.

Toy Story/Toy Story 2 re-release numbers were disappointing

I don't think it's that important. Look at The Smurfs. Only 28% drop despite losing nearly 500 theaters.

I wouldn't say that. On it's own, the re-release was good. I don't know if it's fair to compare it to The Lion King because I'd wager TLK being Disney's most popular animated film ever among all audiences.

An older lady (50/55) I work with was going with her two daughters (30's) to see it after work tonight. I doubt Toy Story had such an advantage.

For comparison, Lion King sits at #24 on the all-time adjusted BO record list, whereas Snow White remains high above at the #10 spot.


(Not to mention, the classic 1961 animated version of 101 Dalmatians at #11 and the incomparable Fantasia at #21.)

I think in modern times, the film is the all time best seller on VHS with 32 million copies and easily millions and millions more on DVD.

Too many factors playing into the adjusted numbers. Can't really compare a movie from the 90s to a movie from the 60s for instance.

So you agree that Lion King is "Disney's most popular animated film ever among all audiences"?

It's impossible to tell (sinc we'd have to establish criteria for what "most popular animated film ever among all audiences" means first). However signs like 30+ million sold VHS tapes and a billion-grossing musical point in a certain, undeniable direction.

I'm not sure what "a billion-grossing musical" has to do with determining the "most popular animated film ever among all audiences", but Snow White sold $66.5 m worth of tickets (at an 1937 average price of 23¢ per ticket) in it's original release, and has had at least one successful theatrical re-releases in every subsequent decade since (1944, 1952, 1958, 1967, 1975, 1983, 1987, 1993, 2001), adding another $118 m worth of tickets sold, not to mention 20+million VHS tapes sold.

Perhaps you're unclear on the meaning of the word "undeniable".



(Edit: Check out Dr. Lecter's response below. Notice how he sidesteps the keypoints of this argument and focuses on the one extraneous point he brought up in the first place. Standard operating procedure for "intellectual" bullies.)

The billion-grossing musical means that the movie was beloved enough for huge crowds to turn out to see the musical and the movie's plot and its music are good enough for the audiences to love the musical and keep coming for years and years.

I don't think this will open more than $30m but it will be close.
Factors affecting it
1. The run-time
2. Animated movies doing much better in theatrical re-releases
3. Their are more haters now for the movie
4. Repeat viewings have been much more in the nearer generation than TS and TLK
5. It might not have an open market as TLK.
All these factors point to a subdued opening.
Factors favoring it
1. JC always attracts crowds and I am sure his name in 3D is still respected
2. Teen demos (specially girls) which mad movies like Twilight just one week event

At this time it is all on marketing and how much Fox can generate the nostalgia. If they are successful in making crowds (specially adults and moreso in OS markets) seeing this on big screen with 3D then this could do $100m+ domestic total and $200m+ OS total.

what studio actually produced and distributed Titanic, Paramount or Fox??

I'm still confused!

Paramount was distributor domestically whereas Fox distributed it in OS markets. Production was shared between the two studios.

Actually Paramount's investment was capped at $75m. Fox spent alot more on production but also had a huge winfall with the foreign box office. Both big winners.

BJs Prediction:

22.5m | 155m

usual titanic behavior

Naah domestically that would be too big, I don't think it will benefit from repeat viewings like last time. Also that the teen demo now is all about rush factor, so I'd say open bigger and then good legs but not very big.

I don't think the "teen demo" will be the one's captaining this particular ship.

Titanic 3D preview reactions...



Can't wait to join in on the weeping!

Just be sure to attend a 2D screening of the re-release - - who needs those damned glasses getting in the way of a good cry!

Bradley I think those were IMAX 3D previews, I don't mind the glasses if the conversion is done good and there is an immersive experience. Unlike some people few of us tend to concentrate on the screen.

http://www.hsx.com/forum/forum.php?id=3

I think this is gonna be pretty huge...like, at least another $115M or so.

Magnus is being such a bitch about all this

150m+ fo sho, i expect a mammoth size opening