Movie Lovers, I Have a HUGE Problem With the 2024 Box Office

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Allow me to address an issue that’s been weighing heavily on me for quite some time: There’s a bone of contention I feel compelled to share with cinephiles.

Indeed, it might seem odd, considering I’m a film enthusiast who writes for a digital media platform focusing on entertainment news. However, please understand that the perspective I’m presenting is backed by genuine data, a topic I feel strongly about discussing with you.

And it all boils down to numbers – specifically, from the 2024 box office.

Many People Want To See New Franchises And Ideas, But The 2024 Top 10 Are Almost All Sequels Or Adaptations

This is a constant thing I see online.

From my perspective, some outstanding original films I’ve come across often fall into the categories of top-notch romantic comedies or terrifying horror movies. However, there are numerous other films I’ve watched across various genres that showcase unique and intriguing concepts as well. Everyone may have their own preferences regarding which genre produces the most impressive new films; this is simply my take on it.

Whenever these films achieve success, it’s truly awe-inspiring, and when I consider folks expressing a preference for unique movies and fresh franchises to grace the silver screen, that’s the image that comes to mind for me.

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but feel disheartened when I peer into the future of the 2024 box office. It seems that the dream of audiences craving original projects may be just that – a dream.

It appears that, as reported by BoxOfficeMojo, a significant number (nine) of the highest-earning movies globally in the previous year were actually sequels. These films are often criticized as being mere attempts to make more money or “cash grabs,” but it seems they proved their worth in terms of financial success last year.

As a devoted cinephile, I must admit that there were several highly anticipated flicks on my radar. Among them, the sequel to “Inside Out” was truly a magnet, and it has undeniably proven itself as one of Pixar’s finest creations. The same anticipation surrounded the arrival of “Deadpool” and “Wolverine,” and the upcoming chapter of “Dune” – “Dune: Part 2” – also stirred great excitement within me.

The movie “Wicked” was the only film on this list that didn’t continue a series, but it isn’t entirely original as it’s adapted from an existing intellectual property. As you might expect, another sequel titled “Wicked: For Good” is scheduled for release in 2025.

It used to be common for highly successful films not to simply be follow-ups or sequels to other productions.

Meanwhile, New Original Films Flop Terribly Or Have Bad Box Office Gross

As a movie enthusiast, I find myself constantly grappling with the fact that while there are plenty of films being produced today, some truly exceptional ones often slip under the radar. For instance, two gems from 2024 were undeniably deserving of much more attention and buzz than they ultimately received.

The film titled “Lisa Frankenstein”, which shares some creators with the movie “Jennifer’s Body”, boasts an impressive cast, including the outstanding Carla Gugino. However, as per BoxOfficeMojo, it managed to earn only $9.8 million against a production budget of $13 million.

In 2024, a standout movie that many seemed to overlook was “Drive-Away Dolls,” an entertaining road flick by one of the Coen brothers. Despite boasting a stellar cast and an engaging plot, this film fell short of recouping its production costs, as per TheMovieDB’s data. BoxOfficeMojo reports that it only managed to gross $7.9 million at the box office, which was significantly lower than its $8 million budget.

As a cinephile, let me share an underappreciated gem I recently watched: “IF,” directed by the talented John Krasinski. This heartwarming film was designed for family audiences and revolves around a young girl who attempts to assist imaginary friends (IFs) who have been abandoned by their adult counterparts. The movie is delightful and charming for kids, but unfortunately, it failed to turn a profit, bringing in only $190 million at the box office, as per BoxOfficeMojo, against a production budget of $110 million, according to Deadline.

I’ve come across some truly captivating films, and it’s a shame that they aren’t drawing larger crowds in the cinemas. I’m not advocating for them to break box office records, but it would be satisfying if these productions could recoup their costs or turn a profit, at least.

Movie Studios Will Sometimes Not Let The Film Shine In The Theater For Long

Later on, we have the initial films that perform well after they’re streamed online. For instance, “Red One” is a notable example of this trend. Although some critics panned “Red One” when it first came out, there were still many enjoyable aspects to the movie as a Christmas action film. Regrettably, it didn’t fare well at the box office.

Nevertheless, “Red One” became available on Amazon Prime a few weeks later, allowing me to enjoy it from my couch on Christmas Eve. It performed exceptionally well, and I can’t help but wonder how its box office performance might have been if it had remained in theaters until the actual holiday. Perhaps it would have earned even more.

In my view, one significant factor contributing to the underperformance of some of these initial films might not only be decreased theater attendance. Instead, it’s also crucial to consider that some films are leaving theaters too quickly for word-of-mouth recommendations to spread effectively. Unlike in the past when movies could screen for months on end, today, they occasionally disappear from theaters just a few weeks after release, which undeniably impacts an original film’s ability to build its theatrical audience.

While Going To The Movies Has Gotten Expensive, Movie Marketing Has Also Become An Issue

Many individuals have been critical of movie theaters due to their increasing prices, which they believe is the reason behind fewer frequent visits. Attending a movie outing can be quite pricey, particularly for families. As per EntTelligence (as reported by The New York Times), an average movie ticket costs approximately $11.75. At first glance, this might not seem excessive, but when you consider a family of four, the total cost quickly rises to around eighty dollars. To add to that, the food at these theaters can be quite expensive as well.

It seems you’ve identified a problem, and I agree that one significant factor contributing to the underperformance of many original films could very likely be tied to their marketing strategies.

There are countless films that receive excessive promotions, making them hard to escape. For instance, the advertising blitz for ‘Wicked’ was overwhelming – I saw green and pink adornments everywhere! Despite my initial skepticism, I must admit I became a big fan of the movie, particularly the scenes involving Glinda and Elphaba which I could talk about endlessly. However, it’s worth noting that the marketing budget for this film was astronomical, with estimates reaching $150 million, as reported by Variety.

Although I don’t demand top-notch marketing consistently, a significant number of these original movies aren’t discussed as frequently or are not adequately funded for effective marketing. Consequently, they receive limited promotion on social media platforms, which often results in their removal from theaters (such as Red One), making it difficult for people to watch them.

I’m Not Sure What Needs To Change, But Something’s Gotta Give

I really enjoy films across all genres. I’m particularly fond of productions from independent studios that bring unique concepts to life, such as the standout titles from A24 and the quirky offerings by Focus Features.

But something has to give with this. There has to be more of a push to see these original films.

It’s clear that we enjoy seeing a narrative unfold further. Yet, quite often, these follow-ups seem superfluous. It’s unfortunate, as there are truly numerous exceptional concepts waiting to be explored, which unfortunately remain unrealized.

Based on my observations, it seems that the reason film studios continue producing sequels instead of focusing on original characters and stories is that audiences are predominantly flocking to big-budget blockbusters and neglecting lesser-known movies. Essentially, we as viewers have a role in this cycle.

It’s unclear to me what adjustments need to be made. Perhaps it requires a significant transformation across the entire industry. Maybe marketing efforts should prioritize smaller original films without much buzz, or maybe movies should spend more time in theaters, or perhaps we should make an effort to watch them. However, something substantial needs to change – otherwise, we’ll continue to be trapped in a cycle of sequels for the foreseeable future.

There’s a balance between sequels and new films, but last year saw an overwhelming number of top-grossing movies being sequels. This isn’t right, and I truly hope it improves, particularly for upcoming filmmakers whose innovative ideas could shape the future of cinema.

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2025-01-28 04:08