As someone who has spent years analyzing box office trends and the strategies behind successful film launches, I can confidently say that Sony’s extensive experience with Marvel movies played a crucial role in the success of “Venom: The Last Dance.” With over two decades of launching these comic book adaptations, they had honed their marketing tactics to perfection. They knew exactly what would appeal to fans and how to create hype around their releases.
The movie titled “Venom: The Last Dance,” directed by Kelly Marcel, drew a massive response from audiences worldwide, with an impressive global opening of $175 million. Although its domestic debut fell slightly short of expectations at $51 million, it still sparked curiosity and interest among viewers about potential connections to “Spider-Man 4,” Sony’s Spider-Verse, and the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
It seems undeniable that the latest installment of “Venom” has proven profitable during its global debut weekend. However, what’s less certain is the specific factors contributing to this success. Given the impressive performance in a market dominated by underperforming superhero films, it prompts the question if audiences are growing weary of Marvel movies.
Without doubt, the film “Venom: The Last Dance” boasted several compelling advantages that contributed significantly to its impressive global box office earnings during its opening weekend. These factors included Venom’s widespread appeal among audiences worldwide, Tom Hardy’s individual draw as an actor, a scarcity of major October 2024 box office competitors, the movie avoiding explicit connections to comic book franchises, and more. Analyzing why “Venom: The Last Dance” became the highest-grossing film on the worldwide box office that weekend becomes clear when one considers the appeal of bidding farewell to one of the most unexpected stars in a superhero movie trilogy’s history.
International audiences made The Last Dance a hit
It’s indisputable that “Venom: The Last Dance” avoided becoming a domestic box office flop. Although its initial domestic release fell short of expectations, it excelled remarkably in foreign territories. In fact, the film made an impressive $124 million debut internationally, ranking as the third-highest American movie opening of 2024 in the countries where “The Last Dance” premiered. Only “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine” had stronger foreign launches in those same markets. Notably, it saw particularly massive debuts in Mexico, Korea, and India. Furthermore, the movie performed exceptionally well on IMAX screens globally, setting a new record for the largest international IMAX debut in October and becoming the third-largest IMAX overseas debut in Sony’s history.
Previously, the “Venom” series surprised everyone by breaking records in international box office sales back in 2018, earning over $600 million on its own. More recently, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” which premiered almost 18 months after cinemas closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and without a Chinese cinema release, still managed to gross nearly $300 million overseas. This demonstrates that the fanbase for Eddie Brock and Venom is not confined to U.S. audiences alone. The widespread enthusiasm for this gooey alien creature was instrumental in ensuring “The Last Dance” had a successful global debut, despite its domestic box office performance falling short of expectations.
The Last Dance took off in China
In the 2010s, China was undeniably the primary market where expensive American films thrived. However, in the 2020s, this situation has significantly shifted. Instead of flocking to recent American blockbusters, Chinese cinema-goers have shown a preference for local megahits. This trend has caused numerous anticipated American movies to underperform, but “Venom: The Last Dance” bucked this trend remarkably.
Remarkably, the debut of this new release is significant given that “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” wasn’t screened in China, a territory where the original “Venom” was hugely successful. One might have expected Chinese moviegoers to lose interest in the franchise due to the absence of “Carnage”, but instead, it seems their affection for “Venom” has grown stronger in China. It’s unlikely that “The Last Dance” will earn as much as the first “Venom” made six years ago in China. However, its impressive opening is noteworthy, especially considering the lukewarm response Chinese audiences have shown towards recent American blockbusters. Contrary to many domestic 2020s tentpoles, China played a crucial role in shaping the notable global launch of this third installment.
The movie promised finality
In the title itself, “The Last Dance,” it’s clear that the third Venom movie, titled “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” intended to make a strong statement about wrapping up the story of Eddie Brock/Venom. This idea was consistently emphasized throughout the film’s marketing campaign, from poster taglines such as “Til death do they part” and “Experience the epic conclusion.” By highlighting this angle so forcefully, the creators were able to distinguish “The Last Dance” from its predecessors and give this installment a definitive ending that many modern comic book movies lack.
In contemporary times, films and TV shows belonging to this particular genre often thrive within expansive multimedia landscapes, filled with potential movie and TV series ideas that extend well into the following decade. “Venom: The Last Dance,” on the other hand, attempted to create a unique visual style by suggesting that it was the end of an era for Venom in cinemas. While it’s true that such a successful and money-spinning character won’t vanish entirely, Tom Hardy wasn’t the first actor to embody Eddie Brock, and he won’t be the last. At present, “Venom: The Last Dance” offered closure instead of merely teasing future sequels as other comic book movie promotions often do. This strategy seems to have attracted the attention of some cinema-goers, particularly those from international markets.
There was a lack of major October 2024 releases
In October 2024, “Joker: Folie a Deux,” directed by Todd Phillips, was expected to dominate the box office. With projections indicating it would easily earn over $100 million during its opening weekend, other major film releases were postponed or moved from that month to avoid potential competition with the sequel to the “Joker” movie.
Despite “Joker: Folie a Deux” underperforming at the box office, October 2024’s movie landscape took a sharp downturn. The month started with a significant flop, and nothing followed to offset its losses. Even gruesome horror sequels like “Terrifier 3” and “Smile 2” struggled to make up for it. Towards the end of the month, “Venom: The Last Dance” was released, but it wasn’t enough to revive the ailing box office scene.
Folie a Deux” experiencing losses actually benefited “The Last Dance,” as it no longer had to compete with another huge comic book adaptation dominating the market. Although “The Last Dance” still didn’t perform well domestically even without competition, its absence allowed “The Last Dance” to easily claim the top spot at the global box office. Additionally, the lack of competition helped “The Last Dance” achieve higher-than-expected earnings in crucial international markets. Essentially, the lack of big releases in October 2024 created a void that “The Last Dance” was able to capitalize on.
The Last Dance resonated with younger moviegoers
Since theaters closed due to COVID-19 in March 2020, it’s been challenging to find box office successes catering primarily to an older demographic. A few exceptions have appeared, but generally speaking, films aimed at ages 45 and above have flopped spectacularly, such as “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter One.” It’s no surprise that “Venom: The Last Dance” dominated the domestic box office during its opening weekend, as it targeted a much younger audience.
73% of its initial audience during the first three days were moviegoers under 35 years old, while those between 25 and 34 accounted for approximately one-third of the entire opening weekend. This isn’t particularly shocking considering that it was a PG-13 “Venom” film with a comedic twist, which doesn’t seem to be appealing to the audience of “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris.
The film “Venom: The Last Dance” underscored yet again the vital role younger audiences play in keeping films successful. If it weren’t for viewers under 35, this movie would have faced much greater financial difficulties at the domestic box office. Concurrently, movies such as “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” and “Challengers” thrived due to their appeal to younger generations. In the post-COVID movie scene, films that attract a younger demographic are dominating, and “Venom: The Last Dance” emphasized this trend.
Tom Hardy’s a bit of a box office draw
Tom Hardy’s career has seen him star in films that have amassed over $500 million globally, including blockbusters like “The Dark Knight Rises” and the first two “Venom” movies, as well as adult dramas such as “The Revenant” and “Dunkirk.” In these roles, Hardy’s talent as a human actor has shone through, making him a recognizable figure in successful films worldwide. This reputation helps boost the international box office runs of titles like “Venom: The Last Dance.
Due to his recent successful financial run, Hardy has more assurance in box office success compared to many other leading men who are primarily connected with superhero movie roles. For instance, movies starring Chris Hemsworth have often flopped financially, mainly because Hemsworth lacks broad appeal beyond the “Thor” series. In contrast, Hardy boasts a number of hits outside his “Venom” appearances. While this reputation doesn’t guarantee every film he stars in will be a box office hit – consider his 2024 film, “The Bikeriders” – it did contribute to the domestic and international success of “Venom: The Last Dance.
The Last Dance followed up two successful predecessors
The sequel to “Joker: Folie a Deux” serves as proof that simply following up on successful blockbusters from the past does not guarantee box office victory. This lesson is further demonstrated by films like “The Marvels” and “Terminator: Dark Fate”. However, “Venom: The Last Dance” benefited significantly from the success of its predecessors, having grossed a combined $1.3 billion globally. Moreover, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage”, which opened as one of the first superhero movies after COVID-19 closed theaters, managed to surpass $500 million worldwide. Despite being a different portrayal of the character, Venom’s popularity among moviegoers was established years ago due to Topher Grace’s anti-hero appearance in the 2007 blockbuster “Spider-Man 3”.
As a die-hard fan, I couldn’t wait to catch “Venom: The Last Dance” in theaters, knowing that its predecessors, starring the incredible Tom Hardy as Venom, had already amassed over $1 billion at the box office. With an ending to this peculiar trilogy on the horizon, it was a no-brainer for me to watch one more installment. The tantalizing mid-credits teases from “Carnage” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” hinting at exciting future possibilities for Eddie Brock/Venom involving multiverses and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, only heightened my anticipation. Compared to many other 2024 blockbuster sequels, “Venom: The Last Dance” boasted a significant headstart in terms of audience familiarity and goodwill.
Venom: The Last Dance opened close to Halloween weekend
Initially, it was planned for “Venom: The Last Dance” to debut on July 12, 2024. This date would have coincided with the release of several standalone “Spider-Man” films from Sony/Columbia Pictures, such as “The Amazing Spider-Man” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” Additionally, this decision would have moved the “Venom” series away from its traditional October premiere month, where its previous installments had been successful.
Despite the double 2023 strikes, the release of “The Last Dance” was postponed from its initial date. Sony eventually decided to release it in fall 2024, specifically on October 25, 2024. This timing positioned the final “Venom” movie for a weekend just before Halloween, a period when “Five Nights at Freddy’s” had previously achieved a remarkable opening weekend at the box office.
It’s no surprise that the release of “Venom: The Last Dance” this past weekend worked in its favor, as the spooky season is filled with chilling creatures like our toothy alien protagonist who bites off more than he can chew (figuratively speaking). Plus, it provided some distance from summer blockbusters such as “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Inside Out 2,” which are set to dominate the box office in 2024. Initially, “The Last Dance” was not scheduled for a late October release, but it proved crucial for its opening weekend success.
There are no tie-ins to other Sony Spider-Man Universe movies
2020s comic book movies have sometimes been challenging for casual viewers to grasp due to their reliance on prior Marvel and DC narratives. For instance, Marvel Cinematic Universe films such as “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and “The Marvels” often require familiarity with other Marvel stories. Similarly, “The Flash” from DC has a main storyline intertwined with earlier movies like “Man of Steel” and the 1989 “Batman.” The latest Sony Spider-Man Universe release, “Morbius,” even includes a post-credits scene that seems more confusing than anticipated.
Contrary to current popular practice, “Venom: The Last Dance” deliberately refrains from tying into other comic book films. Apart from a few brief mentions in the opening scene (borrowed from the “No Way Home” mid-credits sequence) about a purple character fond of stones, this film is essentially self-contained. Viewers hoping to spot hidden references to “Morbius” or “Madame Web” will likely leave the theater feeling let down.
This strategy brought several benefits to “The Last Dance.” Firstly, the film became much easier for anyone visiting the cinema to watch. Secondly, by distancing itself from the negative critical reception associated with Sony/Marvel productions like “Morbius” or “Madame Web,” “Venom: The Last Dance” was able to carve out a more distinct identity and avoid being tainted by their reputations. This move proved advantageous at the box office and in numerous other aspects.
Sony has extensive experience launching Marvel movies
Almost all of the eight highest-grossing Sony/Columbia Pictures films at the domestic box office are adaptations from Marvel Comics characters, with the exception being “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.” This movie stands out among the many Spider-Man productions. To put it another way, more than half of Sony/Columbia’s 25 biggest domestic releases have origins in Marvel properties. Beginning with “Spider-Man” in 2002, these adaptations have significantly contributed to the success of Sony/Columbia as a film studio. Even less successful films like Ghost Rider managed to generate decent revenue. However, failures such as Madame Web and Morbius haven’t deterred Sony from maintaining an unparalleled commitment to Marvel movies compared to any other studio in Hollywood, except for Disney.
Having accumulated more than two decades of expertise in producing Marvel films, the Sony/Columbia marketing team effortlessly steered “Venom: The Last Dance” towards impressive opening weekend figures worldwide. Although it might not have transformed “Morbius” into a new “Guardians of the Galaxy,” Sony/Columbia’s successful history with Marvel movies ensures that the hype for a hit series like “Venom” remains steady. Even flops like “Madame Web” served as valuable lessons, helping them identify marketing strategies to steer clear of when promoting the final standalone “Venom” film. The past is a source of knowledge and guidance – it’s not inherently good or bad. This is a lesson Sony/Columbia has mastered well after releasing numerous Marvel films prior to “Venom: The Last Dance.
Initial fan interest heavily favored The Last Dance
On its Thursday domestic release, “Venom: The Last Dance” made an impressive $8.5 million. Although this was lower than the earnings from the two previous Venom movies on their opening nights, it wasn’t a significant drop in comparison. This initial figure set “The Last Dance” up for a potentially successful opening weekend and provided some positive early press coverage to start its run.
Over three days within its home country, the film “Venom: The Last Dance” earned a total of $51 million. This implies that the earnings from Thursday night accounted for approximately 17% of the entire opening weekend revenue. Therefore, it’s essential to extend hearty congratulations to the audience who attended on Thursday night as their attendance significantly contributed to the film’s impressive opening weekend earnings.
Fervent fans of Venom eagerly flocked to cinemas to catch the first screening of “Venom: The Last Dance,” which resulted in an impressive $21 million opening day. Interestingly, while this film earned less than its predecessors, it garnered more attention on its initial release. However, its steep daily drops during the opening weekend hint that it might face challenges in the following weeks. For now, the initial enthusiasm from fans has helped “The Last Dance” avoid a domestic box office flop.
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2024-10-30 00:01