A “Slow-vember” in Tinseltown In a twist that’s got Hollywood execs scratching their heads, November’s box office numbers didn’t soar as expected. We’re calling it “Slow-vember.” The figures? A mere $553.6 million, trailing 12% behind last year’s performance. Pre-pandemic, November was a gold mine for theaters, but not this year, folks.
Thanksgiving Week: Not the Blockbuster Bonanza Expected Even Thanksgiving, usually a big hitter for movie sales, didn’t deliver. We’re talking $173 million this year, up from 2021 but way below the pre-2020 $270 million norm. Surprising? Yes, considering heavy hitters like “The Marvels” and “Wish” were on the marquee.
Marvel and Disney: Below Par Here’s a shocker: “The Marvels” and “Wish,” from the typically unstoppable Marvel and Disney, didn’t hit their marks. Paul Dergarabedian from Comscore notes the underperformance, especially given their historic holiday successes.
Box Office Cannibalism? Shawn Robbins of Box Office Pro suggests an intriguing theory: “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” and “Trolls Band Together” might have split their potential audience, affecting overall sales.
Unexpected Twists: Strikes and Delays A SAG-AFTRA strike put a dent in movie promotions, and the much-anticipated “Dune: Part Two” got bumped to March 2024. Robbins points out the lack of “event-level, must-see” movies this season – a key factor in drawing casual viewers.
Comparing Marvel’s Might Last November, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” roared with $181 million. This year? “The Marvels” opened to a lukewarm $46 million. Even “The Hunger Games” couldn’t match its predecessors, pulling in only $42 million over Thanksgiving.
The Pressure’s On for December An underwhelming November means all eyes are on December. But there’s uncertainty ahead: delays and potential underperformances could spell more trouble.
2022 Box Office: The Bigger Picture Despite November’s downturn, U.S. theaters have raked in $8.26 billion this year, closing in on the anticipated $9 billion. Dergarabedian remains optimistic, citing a diverse mix of films set to close out the year.
Looking Ahead: A Diverse Slate to the Rescue? As we turn the page, the industry is banking on the remaining year’s lineup – a blend of award hopefuls and blockbusters – to bring that much-needed box office boost. Will they deliver? Time will tell, but Hollywood is hoping for a happy ending to 2023.
About Author
