MartianArchaeologist

23 Jun 2014, 01:41

Really, why the disappointment over short term box-office numbers? I loved the movie and I'm grateful they made it.

And according to Box Office Mojo, this week it's ADDED 15 screens. It's a long-term kind of movie.
That's probably why some of the European fans haven't seen it yet--they may want to take what they've learned from the American opening and modify the publicity so that it can communicate better.

Yay for Dreamworks' long-term franchise planning. And MAKING GOOD STUFF.

Cartoon Freak

24 Jun 2014, 11:05

A thought just occurred to me regarding the box office numbers, based on something I noticed recently: is it just me, or are there a surprisingly small number of 3D screenings of this movie? I find it very surprising, given that Dreamworks is known for providing high-quality 3D, particularly the original HTTYD.

I have no figures to back up my observations whatsoever, but if it did have some basis in fact, then it would certainly go partway towards explaining things. 3D surcharges do provide a nice boost to box-office gross, and having less potential for said extra earnings could hurt the situation.

Unitedmoviemaker

24 Jun 2014, 19:32

I'd have to say that even though HTTYD2 didn't go #1 on opening weekend, it doesn't mean things won't improve for it later on.

IIRC, HTTYD didn't do too well in the box office until slightly later in it's running, due to word-of-mouth helping it out.

There's still plenty of markets that HTTYD2 is yet to release in, so everything should be fine. Not to mention all the HTTYD2 merch and stuff that they're selling as well!

(But I'm not a professional financial analyst, either )

Quote:

 

I will use a lot of the same analysis with our second place film yesterday, How to Train Your Dragon 2. After doing so, I think you will understand why I am so gloomy about its situation. The Viking sequel to the best movie of 2010 (you heard me) grossed $4.3 million yesterday. In the process, it narrowly missed sneaking back into first place for the first time since June 15th, its third day in theaters as well as only day in first place thus far.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 increased 39% from Monday while dropping only 27% from last Tuesday. That is also significant improvement from the Monday-to-Monday fall of 38% mentioned in yesterday’s column. Its running total of $102 million means that it is the 16th release of the year to cross the $100 million mark. For comparison, there were only 35 for all of 2013. This year is shaping up to be a phenomenal one in terms of box office depth.

In terms of how the second film compares to the first, the mood turns somber. After 12 days in release, How to Train Your Dragon had earned $101.2 million. That film actually earned $9.1 million on its second Monday/Tuesday interval whereas the latest one managed only $7.5 million. And that is even worse than it sounds. There have been four years of ticket price inflation, especially for 3D cinema. Also, the first film’s second batch of weekdays occurred in April as opposed to summer. The sequel could fall behind the the original as soon as close of business today.