Matrix Reloaded Now Shooting Blanks

[Neo]

Based upon huge opening week attendance and good reviews the Matrix Reloaded has made a ton of money. But it appears the film is a "flash in the pan". A very big flash, but still just a flash. The movies box office revenue and attendance has gone straight into the crapper, earning only 5 million this past week. The movie clearly lacks what is know as "legs" in the business. Essentially from a box office standpoint its appeal was to a limited but large segment of Matrix loyalists and because of the huge media blitz and hoopla surrounding its anticipated opening a lot of "regular" people went to see the film. Problem is only limited numbers want to see it again and those who didn't see it initially are not especially following up to see what all excitement was about.

The box office pattern is just the opposite from the original film, "The Matrix", which opened to average attendance but through word of mouth grew and grew in popularity eventually reaching cult status setting up the environment for the opening of the "Matrix Reloaded".

The studio has got to be concerned about the third installment of the movie due out later this year and must be rethinking how they want to market and distribute it for it's opening.

[tke711]

Considering the fact that Matrix Reloaded has already grossed over $270 million, I don't think that the studio is worried at all! :)

As for not having legs, that's a problem with all new movies of late. There have been very few movies that have stayed at the #1 spot for more then one week in the last couple of years.

The problem is too many screens. Meaning, on opening weekend, movies are being shown on 3,000+ screens across the country.

[melpomene]

The movie is still going strong here in Aussieville. I do not have any figures, but it is screening around Sydney and at about 8 times a day on average.

OT - please. Who was the husband of Persephone in the reloaded Matrix? I need that scene in the restaurant, with Neon et al for an analogy. Thanks :)

[ethics]

Originally posted by melpomene
OT - please. Who was the husband of Persephone in the reloaded Matrix? I need that scene in the restaurant, with Neon et al for an analogy. Thanks :)

Lambert Wilson (http://www.neoandtrinity.net/lambert.html)

[ethics]

Matrix, it's not how well the movie is doing now but the overall PNL. ;)

The movies are not shown the way they used to in theatres. They pack new releases all over the country, and then once, the time passes, they replace it with most recent. Besides, with almost 300 Million, I would think most of the people who wanted to see it, already saw it. :) 

[Neo]

Originally posted by ethics
Matrix, it's not how well the movie is doing now but the overall PNL. ;)

The movies are not shown the way they used to in theaters. They pack new releases all over the country, and then once, the time passes, they replace it with most recent....

Wrong oh youthful one.

They still show or feature it by box office business and the key is dollars per screen showing. That figure is too complicated for your average Joe six-pack so they just represent it as gross box office receipts. The fact that it only pulled in 5 million on a holiday weekend just four weeks after its opening is a powerful statement. They will keep showing a movie and showing it for a long time on a lot of screens if it keeps sucking them in. Matrix Reloaded has as I said pretty much shot its wad, doesn't have legs and was successful commercially for the reasons stated. I am surprised by the drop off given the box office raves and attendance initially. But what is unusual for a movie with such initial success is it is not getting repeat business.

They do one thing that you mention and that is with "blockbusters" they will open it on many more screens than in years past--especially if market analysis shows a big pre-release interest.

For the classic example and the exact opposite of Matrix Reloaded check out the box office performance over time of "Titanic" and you will see what I've mentioned.

Or look at the weekly box office for movies such "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"--or for that matter the original Matrix which I would guess made more money in its fourth and fifth weeks then its first two.

[ethics]

But isn't the amount they made, enough to beat most of the movies of this year?

[Neo]

Originally posted by ethics
But isn't the amount they made, enough to beat most of the movies of this year?

Of course! But that was never my point!

[ethics]

Originally posted by Matrix
Of course! But that was never my point!

Not sure what it was then. I mean, the bottom line is to get the most revenue. Does it matter over what period they get this money?

[Neo]

Originally posted by ethics
I mean, the bottom line is to get the most revenue.

Exacto mundo! But the MOST money has in the most possible revenue it can generate including at the box office. Not as in the most as more than its competition.

What would you rather accomplish, $270M which is more than any of the competition or $500M if the second place film made $280M?

The film has flattend out, unexpectedly so, after only four weeks in release. Go back in time and ask any of the Studio executives and marketing experts what they were projecting one week prior to opening and one week aftter opening. See how many would have given you the figure that it looks like it is going to finish at (domestic box office only). Bet they all would have told you that they expected significantly more than $270M.

I wonder where that "new" smilie is we talked about a couple of weeks ago? ;)

[ethics]

Ok, that's different (imho). If they EXPECTED more than 270M, than yeah, I agree. But they broke the weekend record, and they raked in 270M, no? What did Titanic do in total?

[Neo]

Over a Billion.

[ethics]

Originally posted by Matrix
Over a Billion.

OHHHH. Ok, now I understand.

[Neo]

To be more precise:

Released in US December 19, 1997
Total US Gross $600,788,188
US Distributor 20th Century Fox
Production Budget $200,000,000
Rentals $324,425,000
Worldwide Gross $1,835,400,000

So technically only about $601 million in domestic box office 1998 dollars.

2nd most total weekends at top of charts: 15 (ET: The Extra-Terrestrial holds the record with 16 weeks)

Holds record for longest run at top of charts: 15

All-Time Box Office Rank 1

Equal-fastest movie to $400m gross 66 days - equal with Spider-Man (see full chart)

Fastest movie to $500m gross 98 days (December 19th, 1997 - March 26th, 1998)

Fastest movie to $600m gross 252 days (December 19th, 1997 - August 25th, 1998)

Academy Award Winner, 1997

Just in box office alone it made over a billion in worldwide distribution--the only film to do so.

[ethics]

Still three times as much as Matrix Reloaded. A shame too, since MR was such a better, deeper movie.

[Neo]

Originally posted by ethics
Still three times as much as Matrix Reloaded. A shame too, since MR was such a better, deeper movie.

Said by a gamer! :)

PS: See edited figures in my previous post.

Now I readily and freely admit that the might does not make right nor is the majority always right--but right or not the mighty majority disagreed with you on this one issue. :)

[IamZed]

Everyone I have talked to that saw it told me to save my money. Guess I will just get the DVD.

[Neo]

All Time Top 162 Movies by Global Box Office Released Film Name Total Box Office
1 1997 Titanic $1,835,400,000
2 2001 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone $975,800,000
3 1999 Star Wars: Phantom Menace $925,600,000
4 2002 Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers $921,000,000
5 1993 Jurassic Park $920,100,000
6 2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets $869,400,000
7 2001 Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring $862,200,000
8 2002 Spider-Man $821,700,000
9 1996 Independence Day $813,200,000
10 1977 Star Wars $797,900,000
11 1994 Lion King, The $782,400,000
12 1982 ET: The Extra-Terrestrial $772,000,000
13 1994 Forrest Gump $679,400,000
14 1999 Sixth Sense, The $672,800,000
15 2002 Star Wars: Attack of the Clones $648,200,000
16 1997 Lost World: Jurassic Park $614,300,000
17 1997 Men in Black $587,800,000
18 1983 Return of the Jedi $572,700,000
19 2000 Mission: Impossible 2 $565,400,000
20 1998 Armageddon $554,600,000
21 2003 Matrix Reloaded, The $550,000,000
22 1980 The Empire Strikes Back $534,200,000
23 1990 Home Alone $533,700,000
24 2001 Monsters, Inc. $523,100,000
25 1990 Ghost $517,600,000
26 1991 Terminator 2: Judgement Day $516,800,000
27 1992 Aladdin $501,900,000
28 1996 Twister $495,900,000
29 1989 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade $494,700,000
30 1999 Toy Story 2 $485,800,000
31 2001 Shrek $481,900,000
32 1998 Saving Private Ryan $480,000,000
33 1975 Jaws $470,600,000
34 1996 Mission: Impossible $467,000,000
35 1990 Pretty Woman $463,400,000
36 2000 Gladiator $457,200,000
37 1999 Matrix, The $456,500,000
38 2001 Pearl Harbor $450,500,000
39 1999 Tarzan $447,100,000
40 2001 Ocean's Eleven $446,800,000
41 2002 Men in Black 2 $440,200,000
42 1993 Mrs. Doubtfire $440,000,000
43 2001 Mummy Returns, The $430,000,000
44 2000 Cast Away $426,400,000
45 1990 Dances with Wolves $424,200,000
46 2002 Die Another Day $413,900,000
47 1999 Mummy, The $413,500,000
48 1989 Batman $413,200,000
49 1988 Rain Man $412,800,000
50 1992 Bodyguard, The $410,900,000
51 2002 Signs $407,900,000
52 1973 Exorcist, The $402,500,000
53 1991 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves $390,500,000
54 1939 Gone with the Wind $390,500,000
55 1981 Raiders of the Lost Ark $383,900,000
56 1978 Grease $379,800,000
57 1991 Beauty and the Beast $378,000,000
58 1998 Godzilla $376,000,000
59 2002 Ice Age $375,600,000
60 2000 What Women Want $372,100,000
61 1993 Fugitive, The $368,900,000
62 2001 Jurassic Park 3 $365,900,000
63 1994 True Lies $365,300,000
64 1995 Die Hard: With a Vengeance $365,000,000
65 1999 Notting Hill $363,100,000
66 1998 There's Something About Mary $360,100,000
67 2001 Planet of the Apes (2001) $359,100,000
68 1994 Flintstones, The $358,500,000
69 1998 Bug's Life, A $358,000,000
70 1995 Toy Story $356,800,000
71 2000 Dinosaur $354,600,000
72 2002 My Big Fat Greek Wedding $353,900,000
73 1999 World is Not Enough, The $353,100,000
74 1992 Basic Instinct $352,700,000
75 1988 Who Framed Roger Rabbit? $351,500,000
76 1995 Goldeneye $351,300,000
77 1985 Back to the Future $350,609,762
78 2001 Hannibal $350,100,000
79 1998 Deep Impact $348,600,000
80 2001 Rush Hour 2 $347,400,000
81 1999 American Beauty $347,100,000
82 1995 Pocahontas $347,100,000
83 1997 Tomorrow Never Dies $346,500,000
84 1986 Top Gun $344,700,000
85 1994 Mask, The $343,900,000
86 2002 Minority Report $342,000,000
87 2002 Catch Me if You Can $341,500,000
88 2000 How the Grinch Stole Christmas $340,400,000
89 1995 Batman Forever $335,000,000
90 1995 Apollo 13 $334,100,000
91 1984 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom $333,000,000
92 1989 Back to the Future II $332,000,000
93 1996 Rock, The $330,500,000
94 1995 Se7en $330,100,000
95 2003 X2: X-Men United $330,000,000
96 1986 Crocodile Dundee $328,000,000
97 2000 Perfect Storm, The $325,700,000
98 1996 Hunchback of Notre Dame, The $325,500,000
99 1993 Schindler's List $321,200,000
100 1987 Fatal Attraction $320,100,000

Just for GA members' entertainment and enlighenment.

Trivia quiz, sort of that is. What movie stands out the most in this list next to Titanic in real dollars?

[ethics]

There are movies there that should not come close to even MAKING money!!!!

[IamZed]

Wow, there were some crappy films in there.

[Neo]

Yeah! "Pulp Fiction" is just now starting on HBOZW!

A truly great movie and a serious contender for best screenplay ever.

(Not for kiddies.)

[melpomene]

Damn, there are some crappy movies in there.

Yah to "Dances with wolves" and "American Beauty" :thumbsup:

[tke711]

What really amazes me in that list is how few of them have an "R" rating. In fact, if memory serves me correctly, Matrix Reloaded appears to be the highest ranking rated R movie on that list.

[jfcjrus]

A very interesting post Matrix, thank you.
Is there a link that you got that from?
(Just curious if there was some more info, or insight, on a site that deals with this industry).

For example:
Looking at the list you posted, I might surmise that most folks just want simple a 'escape' from reality when they go to the movies.
But, 'romance' also seems to be important.
So does fantasy.

I guess the reason that I'm curious about how the 'experts' might view this list is that, many of the movies that I thought were remarkable didn't make as much money as some that I thought were a waste of time.
Yea, I know that I'm out of touch.
I know that I'm just a grumpy 'ol fart.

But, I was wondering if you had a link where I could review what the 'experts' in the industry had to say about the list.
(I would like to read how they analyzed the viewing 'public' that part with their dollars to view these creations).

Just curious.
Again, thanks for the list.
Interesting.

Regards,

[Stiofán]

Originally posted by Matrix
Trivia quiz, sort of that is. What movie stands out the most in this list next to Titanic in real dollars?

Not sure if this is what you were getting at, but for approximately the same cost, the LOTR trilogy will end up out grossing Titanic. I do understand it is three films, but they were done concurrently, as were the last two Matrix films. I believe the initial cost was around $200 million (but has sinced climbed $50 million or so due to post production on the last two). If I remember right, Titanic was the first film to cost over $200 million.

Now, you might have been referring to Star Wars, as it is the only pre-80s movie high on the list.