In what will be the last episode of 2024, the three proverbial box office musketeers/amigos/etc. are joined by Daniel Lori* for a deep dive on what went right over the holiday weekend and why it’s exactly the kind of “everybody wins” frame exhibitors and theatrical proselytizers have been waiting for since, well, even before the COVID era of multiplex melodrama. Mufasa: The Lion King and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 both held like champs, Wicked Part One and Moana 2 got big holiday bumps, and Nosferatu came on like a (pun intended) bat out of hell with a relatively sky-high five-day debut.
The year will end almost tied, give or take a Disney movie delayed to 2025 and/or a painfully underperforming Joker sequel, with the #Barbenheimer-infused 2023 domestic totals. We thus all again note that the struggles and perils facing the multiplex remain more about supply than about demand. All of us express cautious optimism for next year, which is the first one since 2019 (or honestly, 2018 if you note the sheer Disney domination of what was supposed to be Bob Iger’s swan song), where theatrical is playing with something approximating a full deck.
However, even with concerns about lighter-than-expected slates in January and March, all signs point to, if not a full pre-COVID-level theatrical total, then something approximating best-case scenario business in an ecosystem where A) 20th Century Fox is no longer independent and no longer releasing 15-20 movies a year while B) original animation and Marvel/DC films are no longer surefire mega-hits. All that, plus discover for yourself why the episode ended with Jeremy essentially challenging theatrical moviegoers to “rawdog Shoah.”
In terms of the written word…
Scott Mendelson noted how the current revelations about the seemingly astroturfed It Ends With Us melodrama is yet another example of how online controversies shouldn’t be treated like mainstream consensus or even good-faith discourse.
Jeremy Fuster interviewed Jeff Fowler and discussed how Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog franchise has weathered almost every variation of every franchise-imperiling factor (online controversy, fan outrage, a global pandemic, a dual labor strike, etc.) and come out swinging.
Lisa Laman offers her picks for the best films for each year of the 2000s. Fear not, Jeremy, Spirited Away won out for 2002.
Ryan Scott’s Tales from the Box Office examined, yes, it’s been five years already, how Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker became essentially the first $1 billion-grossing disappointment.
Daniel Loria participated in BoxOfficePro’s 2024 recap, which you can sample here.
As always, if you like what you hear, like, share, comment, and smash (using a cartoon mallet) that subscribe button with every justified ounce of strength and passion. If you want to bother us and offer good cheer, request in-show discussions, or offer ideas for bonus episodes, ping us at Asktheboxofficepod@gmail.com.
Scott Mendelson - The Outside Scoop and Puck News
Jeremy Fuster - TheWrap
Lisa Laman - Looper, Cultress, Comic Book and Autostraddle
Ryan C. Scott - SlashFilm and Fangoria
Share this post