Well Hopefully this means an increase in quality and a decrease in number. This summer we saw a few movies that generated a large profit. However, many of these movies had production budgets well over $100 million. Transformers and Harry Potter both cost over $200 million. Up was close, costing $175 million. All of them generated millions in profits though. Harry Potter nearly hit the $1 billion mark in worldwide gross. Transformers was at $800 million, and Up had $450 million in worldwide grosses. But we expected these movies to do this. They are flagship movies of their studios. These are the movies we expect the have big budgets and big profits. But what about their other movies?
Sony's Year One cost $60 million and earned $58 million. Universal's Land of The Lost cost $100 million and earned $62 million. Funny People cost $75 million and earned $60 million. Whiteout which came out a month ago has only earned $10 million but cost $35 million to make, and Paramount's Eddie Murphy movie Imagine That cost $55 million but earned $18 million.
The other thing to remember here is that a production budget does not include the costs for marketing. Depending on heavily you market a movie, it could cost tens of millions or even another $100 million. So we are starting to see some studios lose lots of money on movies. So what will the results be?
Less Comedies:
Well expect to see far fewer middle ground comedies. This would be comedies that are geared at both adults and kids such as the failed Land of The Lost and Year One. Actually expect a general decrease in comedies period. Why? Well look at Funny People. It had a great cast and was well marketed. However, it just didn't earn that much money. Why? The theaters are saturated with comedies. Not to mention the affect DVR is having. Now that people can watch television shows whenever it behooves them, why pay $10 to see a movie when you can catch up on The Office? People can get their laughs from television no problem. Studios will need to be very meticulous when picking comedies next year. The Hangover cost $35 million and earned $457 million worldwide. People want an original story with their comedies, not slap-stick and cheap laughs. the Hangover was also 96 min long, not 145 min like Funny People.
Now you will see plenty of Romantic Comedies next year. The Proposal with Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock cost $40 million and earned $290 million worldwide. Romantic Comedies are cheap to make and there will always be women to go see them and high school boys trying to look good on a first date. Bride Wars cost $30 million and made $114 Million. What movie? Exactly.
More Action, Drama and Romance:
These movies are easily to make and you know the market is out there for them. Not to mention the fact that there are few romance TV shows out there. The Time Travelers Wife cost $39 million and earned $76 million. It was not a movie with amazing reviews or a large existing fan base, but it made almost twice its budget. Julie & Julia is another example of a movie that did not get great reviews but still made $98 million but only cost $40 million to make. The $30 million it cost to make My Sister's Keeper earned $77 million and they even changed the ending of this popular book. Dramas and Romances are cheap and always have people that will check it out. Taken with Liam Neeson was a big winner. It cost $25 million to make and earned $223 million worldwide. The formula for its success? Liam Neeson punching, kicking, and shooting his way to his kidnapped daughter. Action movies without large explosions are cheap and will have plenty of guys wanting to see them, just as long as they don't have too complicated of a plot.
Wider Releases For Independent Films:
500 Days of Summer was my favorite movie of the summer and it cost $7.5 million and earned $38 million. However, at its widest release was only shown in 817 theaters. Compare that to the over 3,000 theaters The Proposal was shown at. The new horror film Paranormal Activity cost $11,000 dollars to make and has generated over $800,000 at just 33 theaters. Expect a wide release soon and millions to role in. Independent films ride on low budgets and good scripts. They are artsy projects for some actors and will generate money if marketed properly.
So in 2010 we should hopefully see a decrease in some of comedy crap that is thrown into theaters. However, sappy love stories might overrun the place. In the meantime expect the big budget studio films to slim down some and see the independent film industry grow a little. But don't worry, you still still see Harry Potter on the big screen along with another Pixar flick, and probably some more superheros in 2010. It's the movies we say "I might go see it" that will fall into the script trashcan.
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