Posted on 01/15/2011 5:43:50 AM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
2010 closed as the second highest-grossing year of all time, but it still couldn't shake an air of disappointment. Not only did 2010 end with a whimper, estimated ATTENDANCE was the LOWEST in 15 years.
The box office tally for 2010 was $10.57 billion, or around $30 million shy of 2009. That translated to an estimated attendance of 1.27 billion, which was off eight percent from 2010.
1995 was the last year to have sub-1.3 billion attendance. Since the modern attendance peak in 2002 (1.58 billion), attendance has been trending downward, but 2010 marked the second severe drop-off, following 2005.
Hollywood often failed to offer an appealing slate of movies, and there were fewer movies made available than before. In 2010, 141 movies reached nationwide release (600 locations or more), down from 158 in 2009 and the smallest number since 2001.
The top-grossing movie of 2010 was a holdover from 2009: Avatar, which made $476.9 million of its $760.5 million lifetime total in 2010.
Toy Story 3 was the second-biggest movie in 2010, drawing $415 million. Alice in Wonderland ($334.2 million), Iron Man 2 ($312.4 million) and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse ($300.5 million) rounded out the Top Five.
Animation business was up 16 percent over 2009 to $1.49 billion, while movies presented in the 3D illusion surged to $3.27 billion (an estimated $2.1 billion of which from 3D alone).
All of the major animated titles of 2010 were shown in 3D, and the industry shoved 3D down people's throats in the wake of Avatar's success, adding enough screens to the point in December when several movies had simultaneous nationwide 3D runs.
All those 3D movies contributed to the gross, but they boiled down to more money from fewer people.
(Excerpt) Read more at boxofficemojo.com ...
In my opinion, it's a combination of three things that is driving this: (1) bad movies, (2) high prices for tickets and food/beverages, and (3) dislike of dealing with ill-mannered moviegoers.
I hate going to the multiplex theaters and will drive out of my way to go to a 1920's art deco theater to see a movie.
Your picture didn’t show up. Which movie was it?
I think only the highly educated spoke that way and the characters in the movie were not of that type. The girl was wonderful, but the sound in the theater must not have been good because even I had trouble making out what they said. Big disappointment.
See Secretariat...
Not having "theatered" since 1990, I can't comment on the audiences, but seeing the kids standing outside our local theater in the evenings I can understand. I'd frankly walk out and never return (after giving the manager a piece of my mind). So, I'm obviously not missing anything in that regard.
The last movie I rented (a year ago) was "Appaloosa". I like Westerns and really wanted to see it. It didn't disappoint me. The next will probably be "True Grit". Come to think of it, that'll likely be my rental experience for the year.
What gave you the urge to venture into film making from writing? Just curious. It would seem like a leap to someone like me not affiliated with either business. Saw you on Glenn Beck awhile back. Shouted "Gee, there's Larry". My wife responded "Huh?". Good luck with the movie venture, and I hope it leads to another successful and profitable career. Rock & Roll isn't one of my interests, so this movie wouldn't interest me. But I'd be interested seeing where the venture leads you...
Thanks
Looking forward to seeing them...
There are some worthy movies still made from time to time but the cost at the Box Office is driving most families including mine to see less and less at the movie theater and wait a few months until they come on DVD or Blue Ray. With our home theater, they are just as enjoyable to watch and our home made popcorn taste better and doesn’t cost a fortune.
When we do go to the theater it’s usually part of a reward program we set up for my 9-year old son. He earns a movie night.
And about the movie prices. Regular movies here are $10.50 now for an adult and $7.50 for our child, coming to a total of $28.50. If we want to see it in 3D then it’s $35.50
For $28.50 I can buy the movie in a few months and own it, or get it from Netflix.
And I HATE the new 3D. They are ripping of the audience all for the sake of getting more money from them. And I don’t think it adds much at all to the movie. I grew up in the hey-day of 3D movies when it was a fun experience that everyone was chatting about on their way out. . When the audience was dodging all sorts of projectiles and flying things, like vampire bats, spears, hypodermic needles, hot wax, and on and on the possibilities went. It was fun just watching the people jump. Do they jump today? Nope.
And they did not raise the ticket pieces then. It was about getting people back to the theaters and out of their homes, where they were glued to the new TVs . Today’s motivation is to pick their pockets at the theater , sale 3D TVs at the electronics stores, and raise the prices of purchased movies. Check the price of a 3D Blueray vs. a DVD?
Thanks
“Haven’t been to a theater to see a movie since Dances With Wolves in 1990. There’s nothing I want to pay that kind of money for to see.”
To each his own, and everyone can seek what they want for entertainment, but I haven’t gone to the movie but twice since 1994. The biggest reason is my stomach made me give up popcorn. The second reason is the new age and P.C. drivel passed off as entertainment. The third reason is the goobers in the theatre and the fourth reason is the price to get in.
The P.C. is so bad on the pay movie channels that we just got rid of the whole lot of them.
You have to be cautious about taking kids to PG-13 movies these days. PG-13 movies have sex, language, and violence that you would never expect.
It’s that good, huh?
WOW! Great theater! What a shame that thousands of the old art deco theaters all over the USA have been torn down.
I liked it when stadium seating came, but it soon was ruined by audience behavior. When whole families would tramp in, laden with food trays and talking was the norm, then we just stopped going. I do check out the movies on “On Demand”, but the lack of quality stuff has almost stopped that viewing, too.
There are some good ones out there, but darn few. Where are the “Beautiful Mind” types(Was that the title? With Crowe?), or a good action thriller that isn’t mostly tongue in cheek. The crash scenes have become boring and stupid. How about a comedy that doesn’t resort to bathroom jokes as the newest Fockers has?
Bring back plots that make sense, and actors that can act, rather than one-liners.
The movie industry should step back and re-examine themselves if they want serious viewers. But if all they want is to do is make money on nonsense, then I’m not biting.
We have Comcast On Demand. We’ve had it for years. But I’ve never “rented” a movie through the service. The only one’s I’ve watched have been the free variety, old Westerns, war movies and such. Once in awhile we’ll both watch children’s animated movie such as “Ratatouille”. When well made, they’re fun, don’t have the language and sex, and have a decent story line. If only Hollyweird would put that into their adult venue...
I agree.
MOAR NICHOLAS CAGE MOVIES!!1!
boy can that guy act.
It’s on our Netfix list for this month. We watched the old b & w of The Day the Earth Stood Still last week. Watched John Waynes’ movie about the Un-American activities last night.
IF Weirdowood produced family watchable movies it would make more money. And if it didn’t cost an arm and a leg to go to the movie show, people could afford to go once in a while.
Personally I don’t like going, to many cell phones, screaming kids, and you can’t hit pause when you need a potty break.
When I do go to the multiplex theater, you have to sit through the previews, which give you an idea of the drivel that's being made. This is what a lot of young people are going to see.
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