Really? It cost $125M to produce. What accounts for the other $225M?
Last I checked at Rotten Tomatoes, audience approval had fallen below 50%, while critics approved by 70+ %. Tells you something doesn’t it?
Well, the exhibitors take a slice of the box office in a formula that shifts over time--the studios make more the first week, but the exhibitors get more in subsequent weeks--so not all of that money goes to the studio. Then there's the "P&A"--prints and advertising--basically all the costs of marketing and distribution that come after the film is in the can.
On the other hand, they may have already recouped some of that money through foreign pre-sales, selling territorial distribution rights (and all profits) to a third party in return for a flat fee.
“Promotion” ... :-) ...
$125 million was the original production budget. But after the dismal early tracking numbers started coming in last fall, there were reshoots, re-edits, and a new marketing plan. Reliable sources say the actual budget ballooned to $175 million. (Some say $200 million, but I’m going with the lower figure.)
Double your production budget to see what you need to make worldwide to get in the black.
Also take into account that “Noah” is doing better overseas than in the U.S. The studios collect as little as 15% of the tickets sold in some territories outside the U.S., so if you’re relying on the worldwide take to get into profit, that’s a steeper hill to climb.
And you’re right, the important Rotten Tomatoes number is always “What does the audience think?”