Will the new Star Wars movie top Avatar at the box office?

[hefdaddy42]

Saw it last night.

It will definitely be getting repeat business from me.

[bosk1]

Not sure I actually will see it again in the theater, but I would like to.  We'll see.  But once it is available for home use, it will definitely get MANY repeat views.

[King Postwhore]

Not sure I actually will see it again in the theater, but I would like to.  We'll see.  But once it is available for home use, it will definitely get MANY repeat views.

Think about how long it took Episode 4 to make it to HBO and now at worst, 6 months after it's run in the theaters it's out on Blu Ray/DVD.  Crazy.

[bosk1]

Not sure I actually will see it again in the theater, but I would like to.  We'll see.  But once it is available for home use, it will definitely get MANY repeat views.

Think about how long it took Episode 4 to make it to HBO and now at worst, 6 months after it's run in the theaters it's out on Blu Ray/DVD.  Crazy.

I think it may have had two or three theater runs before that even happened (remember when good movies commonly had more than one theater run because there WAS no other way to see them?).

[King Postwhore]

I saw Star Wars 9 times in the theater and Raiders Of The Lost Ark 5 times.  Oh the memories.

I remember a buddy of mine had it in with this place that rented videos and sold video games.  They sold him a used VSH tape of Episode 4 for $80 which was illegal as well.

[hefdaddy42]

Not sure I actually will see it again in the theater, but I would like to.  We'll see.  But once it is available for home use, it will definitely get MANY repeat views.

Think about how long it took Episode 4 to make it to HBO and now at worst, 6 months after it's run in the theaters it's out on Blu Ray/DVD.  Crazy.

I think it may have had two or three theater runs before that even happened (remember when good movies commonly had more than one theater run because there WAS no other way to see them?).

Yes. 

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

Domestically, "The Force Awakens" has grossed a mammoth $544.6 million. Worldwide that figure is nearly $1.1 billion. The "Star Wars" sequel crossed $1 billion in twelve days, something it took the previous record holder, "Jurassic World," thirteen days to accomplish.

https://variety.com/2015/film/box-office/star-wars-box-office-christmas-daddys-home-point-break-1201668001/

[gmillerdrake]

Domestically, "The Force Awakens" has grossed a mammoth $544.6 million. Worldwide that figure is nearly $1.1 billion. The "Star Wars" sequel crossed $1 billion in twelve days, something it took the previous record holder, "Jurassic World," thirteen days to accomplish.

Don't forget Jurrasic World also had China $$ in that as well. The Force Awakens doesn't open in China until January 9th.

This film may beat AVATAR.....

[cramx3]

Domestically, "The Force Awakens" has grossed a mammoth $544.6 million. Worldwide that figure is nearly $1.1 billion. The "Star Wars" sequel crossed $1 billion in twelve days, something it took the previous record holder, "Jurassic World," thirteen days to accomplish.

Don't forget Jurrasic World also had China $$ in that as well. The Force Awakens doesn't open in China until January 9th.

This film may beat AVATAR.....

I hope so, finally saw it (sold out theater) and it was great.  A much better movie than Avatar and Jurassic World.

[TioJorge]

So what's the deadline for this thing? Is it just by the time the movie exists its round through theaters worldwide and stops playing?

[Chino]

Yeah. Whatever it makes in theaters, including any rerelease /extra footage release they're bound to put in theaters 9-11 months from now. Avatar was back in theaters the August following the original November (December?*) release.

[TioJorge]

Ah, okay. Interesting, I think it's a toss up at this point. Another billion to make is a hefty amount... I can completely see it happening especially if it hasn't even released in China and they're much more lax on the media recently and especially in regards to that movie in particular; but I also wouldn't be surprised if it came up short.

[Chino]

I'm predicting $2.2B.

[BlobVanDam]

Yeah. Whatever it makes in theaters, including any rerelease and/or extra footage release they're bound to put in theaters 9-11 months from now. Avatar was back in theaters the August following the original November (December?*) release.

I actually think they might hold off on a theatrical re-release, and just release an extended edition on DVD/BD. Rogue One comes out only a year after TFA, and Ep VIII only half a year or so after that, which I think is already going to be borderline saturation for the franchise.
Maybe they'll be daring and do a re-release in May to line up with the typical Star Wars release date though.

[hefdaddy42]

Not sure why there is any speculation on a re-release, especially at this point in time.  There will be so much Star Wars that it seems like any re-release of the new films would be oversaturation.

[bosk1]

There will be so much Star Wars that it seems like any re-release of the new films would be oversaturation.

True, but can there really be "oversaturation" with anything Star Wars?  Maybe at some point in the future after more films.  But at this point in history, I think the answer is "no." 

[hefdaddy42]

When the Holiday Special came out in 1978, there was oversaturation.

[bosk1]

Maybe.  But there were MUCH bigger concerns at stake there.  ...like competing with the Kiss holiday special. 

[hefdaddy42]

I recently read an interview with the director of the Holiday Special.  He didn't know anything really about Star Wars, he was brought on board to "fix" the special because it was already a disaster, and he had the reputation as a director who could make chicken salad out of chicken shit.

Obviously, it didn't work this time, but he was pissed off about Lucas wanting to distance himself from it so much (even making comments like "I want to buy every negative of the film and destroy it"), especially since the original story idea came from Lucas, and he had to oversee every single creative decision.

lol

[Gadough]

I still have no idea why Avatar holds the #1 spot. That's not a slight to the film, I actually enjoy it for what it is. I simply don't understand what made it propel to the top. Especially when you consider the low cultural impact it's had. No one talks about it anymore, but it's the highest-grossing film of all time? That's bizarre.

[BlobVanDam]

I still have no idea why Avatar holds the #1 spot. That's not a slight to the film, I actually enjoy it for what it is. I simply don't understand what made it propel to the top. Especially when you consider the low cultural impact it's had. No one talks about it anymore, but it's the highest-grossing film of all time? That's bizarre.

I agree, although the answer is basically "3D".
Even though it didn't gross nearly as much overall, I'm even more baffled by the success of Jurassic World, which itself held a lot of records until TFA broke them. I know Jurassic Park was a popular movie, but people weren't talking about it as if that was anything amazing either.

For that reason, I'd love to see Star Wars top them both, because at least it makes sense to me.

[cramx3]

For that reason, I'd love to see Star Wars top them both, because at least it makes sense to me.

That's why I am rooting for it as well. Avatar was definitely one of the coolest movie experiences for me though, but as an actual movie, Star Wars is more deserving (not because of the franchise either, this movie was just a better movie as well).

[Gadough]

Jurassic World's success makes way more sense. It's built on nostalgia. Avatar, despite ripping off Pocahontas or whatever, stood alone.

[BlobVanDam]

 

Jurassic World's success makes way more sense. It's built on nostalgia. Avatar, despite ripping off Pocahontas or whatever, stood alone.

You're right, I just didn't realize that the Jurassic Park franchise had that much interest or nostalgia these days, and the movie itself didn't rate anything special from what I heard. At least it did have franchise recognition behind it, but it is confusing how a brand new movie like Avatar that was only considered average managed to do so ridiculously well.

Star Wars is a hugely popular franchise, with the new movie being incredibly well received, and I don't remember any movie being this hyped in a long time, and it's smashing every record in its way. And yet it's still probably unlikely to top Avatar. I just don't understand.

I just don't understand.

[TioJorge]

I think it was absolutely completely dependent on a new technology being used by Cameron and the massive media blitz to market "AN ENTIRELY NEW WAY TO WATCH MOVIES SO POWER SO ENERGY THIS IS THE NEW WAY ALL MOVIES WILL BE FILMED THIS IS NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEEEEEEEWWWWWWWW!". That...is not an over the top nutshell sentence of how they marketed that fuckin' film. I still remember every single media (and even straight up news stations) covering the tech behind "Cameron's game-changing film". It was honest to goodness just utterly slammed over the masses heads that this incredibly futuristic, epic, legendary, life-changing format of filming movies will be the new medium and it will change movies forever. That was why it crushed any and all expectations of sales. That, and it's not a bad adventure movie. Add to that the amount of time spent detailing a new world, and that new world was, did I mention? FILMED WITH AN ALL NEW, ALL FUTURE, ALL POWERFUL WAY OF VIEWING MOVIES, THIS SHIT IS THE SHIT, IT'S NEW.

*jack off motion*

It's really a testament to how incredible a movie's marketing can be a make or break aspect though...verily. Very verily. I suppose having a talent like Cameron helps a shitload too. I liked it, I really liked the look, but it was CGI porn at its finest...so...

YeahIdon'tgetthatshiteither. 

[jingle.boy]

I think it was absolutely completely dependent on a new technology being used by Cameron and the massive media blitz to market "AN ENTIRELY NEW WAY TO WATCH MOVIES SO POWER SO ENERGY THIS IS THE NEW WAY ALL MOVIES WILL BE FILMED THIS IS NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEEEEEEEWWWWWWWW!". That...is not an over the top nutshell sentence of how they marketed that fuckin' film. I still remember every single media (and even straight up news stations) covering the tech behind "Cameron's game-changing film". It was honest to goodness just utterly slammed over the masses heads that this incredibly futuristic, epic, legendary, life-changing format of filming movies will be the new medium and it will change movies forever. That was why it crushed any and all expectations of sales. That, and it's not a bad adventure movie. Add to that the amount of time spent detailing a new world, and that new world was, did I mention? FILMED WITH AN ALL NEW, ALL FUTURE, ALL POWERFUL WAY OF VIEWING MOVIES, THIS SHIT IS THE SHIT, IT'S NEW.

Exactly that is the reason.

[gmillerdrake]

I think it was absolutely completely dependent on a new technology being used by Cameron and the massive media blitz to market "AN ENTIRELY NEW WAY TO WATCH MOVIES SO POWER SO ENERGY THIS IS THE NEW WAY ALL MOVIES WILL BE FILMED THIS IS NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEEEEEEEWWWWWWWW!". That...is not an over the top nutshell sentence of how they marketed that fuckin' film. I still remember every single media (and even straight up news stations) covering the tech behind "Cameron's game-changing film". It was honest to goodness just utterly slammed over the masses heads that this incredibly futuristic, epic, legendary, life-changing format of filming movies will be the new medium and it will change movies forever. That was why it crushed any and all expectations of sales. That, and it's not a bad adventure movie. Add to that the amount of time spent detailing a new world, and that new world was, did I mention? FILMED WITH AN ALL NEW, ALL FUTURE, ALL POWERFUL WAY OF VIEWING MOVIES, THIS SHIT IS THE SHIT, IT'S NEW.

Exactly that is the reason.

To be fair, story aside......that movie was INCREDIBLE to watch in 3D. I've seen the movie twice, in the theater ....in 3D. I really don't see a reason to watch it 'normal' as the story is not overly compelling and the imagery cannot be fully appreciated (IMO) unless you're watching it in 3D

[jammindude]

I think it was absolutely completely dependent on a new technology being used by Cameron and the massive media blitz to market "AN ENTIRELY NEW WAY TO WATCH MOVIES SO POWER SO ENERGY THIS IS THE NEW WAY ALL MOVIES WILL BE FILMED THIS IS NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEEEEEEEWWWWWWWW!". That...is not an over the top nutshell sentence of how they marketed that fuckin' film. I still remember every single media (and even straight up news stations) covering the tech behind "Cameron's game-changing film". It was honest to goodness just utterly slammed over the masses heads that this incredibly futuristic, epic, legendary, life-changing format of filming movies will be the new medium and it will change movies forever. That was why it crushed any and all expectations of sales. That, and it's not a bad adventure movie. Add to that the amount of time spent detailing a new world, and that new world was, did I mention? FILMED WITH AN ALL NEW, ALL FUTURE, ALL POWERFUL WAY OF VIEWING MOVIES, THIS SHIT IS THE SHIT, IT'S NEW.

Exactly that is the reason.

Thirded

[orcus116]

I think it was absolutely completely dependent on a new technology being used by Cameron and the massive media blitz to market "AN ENTIRELY NEW WAY TO WATCH MOVIES SO POWER SO ENERGY THIS IS THE NEW WAY ALL MOVIES WILL BE FILMED THIS IS NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEEEEEEEWWWWWWWW!". That...is not an over the top nutshell sentence of how they marketed that fuckin' film. I still remember every single media (and even straight up news stations) covering the tech behind "Cameron's game-changing film". It was honest to goodness just utterly slammed over the masses heads that this incredibly futuristic, epic, legendary, life-changing format of filming movies will be the new medium and it will change movies forever. That was why it crushed any and all expectations of sales. That, and it's not a bad adventure movie. Add to that the amount of time spent detailing a new world, and that new world was, did I mention? FILMED WITH AN ALL NEW, ALL FUTURE, ALL POWERFUL WAY OF VIEWING MOVIES, THIS SHIT IS THE SHIT, IT'S NEW.

Exactly that is the reason.

To be fair, story aside......that movie was INCREDIBLE to watch in 3D. I've seen the movie twice, in the theater ....in 3D. I really don't see a reason to watch it 'normal' as the story is not overly compelling and the imagery cannot be fully appreciated (IMO) unless you're watching it in 3D

Maybe I had a crappy spot in the theater but only a few of the scenes I saw had any actual 3D depth. The rest just looked like a badly lit movie with typical film depth of field.

[TioJorge]

I never got to see it in 3D but I can't imagine that tech at the time (for the actual 3D in the theaters, not what was used for filming the movie) would make a drastic difference. But hey, I never saw it so I can't say. I've only seen two 3D movies, one a while back and another a couple years ago, both looked pretty amateurish and not worth it at all; ever since the Nintendo 3DS has done 3D better than anything I've seen so...  I'm not really interested in 3D for movies. I just can't see the appeal in it aside from, say...a ride at Disney that also has a screen you watch while the ride is going on and shit it flying at you and you feel it at the same time. That would be cool and I've heard it's a blast but that's an all-encompassing experience that is more or less barraging all your senses, so it's no wonder it works.

[cramx3]

It made a difference.  Avatar in IMAX 3d was a movie experience I have never had and still have not had.  I thought The Hobbit in IMAX 3d with 60fps would be similar and it was not. 

[orcus116]

I have yet to see a film in IMAX but I have seen IMAX created documentaries movies in IMAX theaters. I felt super uncomfortable and could not see a lot of the screen. Did IMAX technology improve or is that still an issue?

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

Yea Avatar in 3D was like nothing i've ever seen before and i'm glad I got that experience. It's still one of the best 3D films i've seen.

[gmillerdrake]

Yea Avatar in 3D was like nothing i've ever seen before and i'm glad I got that experience. It's still one of the best 3D films i've seen.

If/when they re-release it in the theaters for 3D I'd go see it again. It was such a great visual experience.

[TioJorge]

I'd bet my entire 100 dollar life savings that before the next one comes out (probably right before) there will be a rerelease. It'd be completely idiotic not to.