ROTTEN TOMATOES: In 2004, Bigger Not Necessarily Better for Profits

In 2004, Bigger Not Necessarily Better for Profits

by RT Staff | December 20, 2004

Big-budget movies may be playing to smaller audiences, the New York Times writes. Although domestic box office receipts are approaching $9.4 billion, which would top last year's total, that figure may be attributable to the rise in ticket prices. While some big-budget films like "Shrek 2," "Spider-Man 2," and "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" had strong showings, many others, from "Hidalgo" to "The Alamo" to "Catwoman," were disappointments to the studios. Some of the year's most profitable films had medium-sized budgets, and some industry experts said studios may reassess the trend toward big budget effects films.

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(1-7 of 7 posts) | Reply

Tai writes:
on Dec 20 2004 05:11 PM

What in the hell is the purpose of this article?

(Reply to this)

Ophiuchus writes:
on Dec 20 2004 06:38 PM

In reply to this comment (#818671)
I think the purpose of the article is to point out that big-budget films are beginning to lose their popularity. Good job, too, when there are better films out there that deserve attention.

(Reply to this)

renodc writes:
on Dec 20 2004 09:44 PM

The problem with big budget films is that they typically do not make the most of the money they spend, and they tend to have much more hands on involvement from the highly uncreative studio execs. These two things typically dumb down these big budget films, and fans are slowly becoming jaded, which is showing up in a drop in attendance.

(Reply to this)

Despot writes:
on Dec 21 2004 06:00 AM

[b]the problem is not the bugets, its the films thems[/b]
I mean common how many big budget super hero, or live action comic character movies need to be made each year. How many dreadful unwanted or un-needed sequels or remakes must we endure? They chase that dream of the next spiderman, or LOTR with over hyped, overblown movies. Some are just trying to make the next buck.

It has gotten to the point were studios are relying on special effects and cgi to cover up for poor writing and bad movie making. They have to realize that eventually marketing only goes so far.

The film industry is becoming like the music industry. They have to chance to learm by their mistakes, but they are not. They are all hedging their bets on the one hit wonder senerio. Put out a movie, market the hell out of it and hopes it makes its money back in 2-3 weeks. Instead of having a great movie that people will go see for weeks upon weeks. It is just easier to make crap, and market it. It is much harder to make a quality movie that people will enjoy.

I also see a trend with DVDs being released so quickly after the movie's theatrical release, that with the rasing prices of tickets, and the falling prices of DVDs, as well as rentals, that the box office numbers will start to slip, especiall if they keep raising ticket prices.

Just my opinion.

(Reply to this)

RitterRed writes:
on Dec 21 2004 06:37 AM

[b]We've been CGI'd to death[/b]
I agree with Despot, and the point of the article is worth discussing, I think. Production studios need to do a little reflecting and stop thinking that by raising the ticket price they can extricate themselves from the problems they're facing: namely, that they are producing third-rate movies with first-rate budgets. They think they can cover up an ugly script with pretty cgi, which is what they tried to do with Van Helsing and LXG, both of which tumbled when released. What they need to do is go back to the basics. GET A GOOD SCRIPT YOU WANKERS!!!! Then, get a good director, followed by actors who are solid but also appropriate for the characters they are portraying (rather than the latest flavor whether they are right for the role or not). The rest will take care of itself. We already know what cgi can do. It should be the last thing to focus on, not the first. WAKE UP, HOLLYWOOD.

(Reply to this)

Ophiuchus writes:
on Dec 22 2004 06:03 PM

I appreciate your concern, Ritter, but you can bet your arse that none of those hollywood hacks will listen until it's too late. And possibly not even then, conceited fools that they are (or probably are, anyway). Being a writer, I sometimes get advised to write a movie script and market it in Hollywood... but I'm not as stupid as I look. I know well enough that anyone with a scrap of creativity wouldn't last five minutes there.

(Reply to this)

QTRules writes:
on Dec 22 2004 08:51 PM

"that figure may be attributable to the rise in ticket prices"....What is up with the "may". Do some more research and figure out if this is the case. Well, Hollywood is a private club and great at making millions of dollars and spreading it around among themselves.

(Reply to this)

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