Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

[Movie] Attendance Crumbles in 2010
Box Office Mojo ^ | 1/11/2011 | Brandon Gray

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 ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cinema; film; movies
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 181-200201-220221-240 ... 261-270 next last
To: altura

They’re not great movies, but we enjoyed them. For what it’s worth, I felt the second was better than the first.


201 posted on 01/15/2011 3:52:39 PM PST by AnglePark
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 196 | View Replies]

To: SkyPilot

We hated Shakespeare in Love. Couldn’t understand why the critics loved it. Same goes for American Beauty.


202 posted on 01/15/2011 3:55:47 PM PST by altura
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 78 | View Replies]

To: Tolsti2

I liked Shutter Island and my daughter thought Social Network was the best movie in a long time, so I will see it.

But I hated, hated, hated, Inception. Couldn’t make it through that utter mess of a movie. And I was really looking forward to it.

I actually thought the ancient movie with Dennis Quaid called Dreamscape was a better dream movie.


203 posted on 01/15/2011 4:01:12 PM PST by altura
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 167 | View Replies]

To: b359

I really liked Open Range, one of the few movies I’ve liked Costner in.

I just watched To Kill a Mockingbird. Robert Duvall played Bo. He looked kinda like Robert Redford. That was a long time ago.

By the way, I checked that movie out at the library. I’ve discovered that’s a great way to get movies and it’s free.


204 posted on 01/15/2011 4:03:55 PM PST by altura
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 174 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Scarpetta
My kids have never set foot in a movie theater.

It is appalling to me that parents actually take young children to see garbage like that.

205 posted on 01/15/2011 4:12:13 PM PST by hopespringseternal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 91 | View Replies]

To: Yossarian
If you know your comic book history, Batman always was a dark, dark character... ...he lost his parents to a murderer after all!

There is a difference between a dark backstory and a dark, unredeeming movie.

I loved "The Dark Night"!

Reminds me of a family I once witnessed, from toddlers up to adults, laughing at a horror movie while people were brutally and graphically murdered. Anyone who can enjoy that kind of disturbia is psychologically damaged themselves.

206 posted on 01/15/2011 4:17:08 PM PST by hopespringseternal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 102 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Scarpetta

I haven’t seen the movie, but my impression from the ads is that the entire flick is an apology to Bruce Lee for having to play a sidekick. In the ads, it appears that Kato is the brains and brawn, and the Green Hornet is a dork.


207 posted on 01/15/2011 4:22:38 PM PST by Richard Kimball (We're all criminals. They just haven't figured out what some of us have done yet.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: SkyPilot
They didn't want to "glorify war", so they voted for an insipid, conceited, smug movie, "Shakespeare in Love" as Best Picture.

The reason Shakespeare in Love won best picture is that while most Oscar categories are only voted on by the branch memberships--directors choosing directors, costume people choosing costume people--everyone gets to vote for Best Picture. Because of the way Academy memberships have been given out over the years, the largest branch in the academy, and thus the largest voting bloc, are the actors. And what was Shakespeare in Love about? Actors. Theater people. It's a big wet sloppy kiss to everyone who e'er trod the stage. And actors, not being known for their brightness, couldn't see past the strokes they were being given. That film could not have been more precisely targeted by the Weinsteins to win an Oscar. Ryan never had a chance (and I'll actually argue that once you get off the beach, it's a very good war movie, but not the greatest ever).

208 posted on 01/15/2011 4:36:22 PM PST by Bubba Ho-Tep ("More weight!"--Giles Corey)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 78 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Scarpetta
Having read through most of the 200 posts, there's a consistent theme of it's the bad movies, liberal slant, high ticket and concession prices and rude people in the theaters.

Just two points. First, the primary reasons for the decline in theater goers is that people have other entertainment options and we're in a depression where people do not have as much disposable income.

There was a significant drop from 1964 to 1969 when movies became much more coarse, but there are a ton of movies out there that are suitable to a family audience. Cell phones might be new, but rude talking people have always been in theaters. Considering inflation, movie tickets have not gone up in price that much. As a caveat, I only go to matinees. The theater is less crowded and the prices are cheaper.

Second, the entertainment industry is not in trouble. US revenues are down, but foreign revenues more than make up for it. Toy Story 3 made $415 million domestically, but $648 million outside the US, for over $1 Billion total before it was released to DVD. The last Harry Potter movie made $280 million domestically and another $640 million outside the US. Currently, it's rare for a movie that's released world wide to make most of it's gross in the US. Movie makers are not going to start making more films to appeal to the US audience. They're going to make more films that appeal to international audiences, cause the money isn't in the US anymore.

209 posted on 01/15/2011 5:30:44 PM PST by Richard Kimball (We're all criminals. They just haven't figured out what some of us have done yet.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: altura

***But I hated, hated, hated, Inception. Couldn’t make it through that utter mess of a movie. And I was really looking forward to it.***

I rented it and about 1/4 of the way through I developed a terrible migrane. I kept wondering...”My God! When is this thing going to end”!

I agree with you on Dreamscape.

Like to read? How about H P Lovecraft’s DREAM-QUEST OF UNKNOWN KADATH.

Shutter Island was good!


210 posted on 01/15/2011 6:55:50 PM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar (I visited GEN TOMMY FRANKS Military Museum in HOBART, OKLAHOMA! Well worth it!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 203 | View Replies]

To: Bubba Ho-Tep

Good insight. Thanks.


211 posted on 01/15/2011 7:01:07 PM PST by SkyPilot
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 208 | View Replies]

To: DollyCali; Perdogg; conejo99; PapaBear3625; AnglePark; gogogodzilla; iceskater; NurdlyPeon; ...
We went to the 19th St. Theater today, which was built in the 20's, to see 'The King's Speech.' I recommend this movie highly and hope that it wins an Academy Award for best picture. Colin Firth should also win for best actor.

The theater was packed, and the audience applauded at the end. Glad to see so many people supporting a local theater. (Allentown, PA) We live about 35 minutes away, and it was well worth the drive.


212 posted on 01/15/2011 7:31:23 PM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 211 | View Replies]


213 posted on 01/15/2011 7:34:50 PM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 212 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Scarpetta

Someday, Hollywood will make a movie about GW Bush and call it The President’s Speech, detailing his leadership after 9-11/sarc. “Some men are born great. Others have greatness thrust upon them.”


214 posted on 01/15/2011 7:38:00 PM PST by rabidralph
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 212 | View Replies]

To: rabidralph

That would actually be a very good movie, but I’m not holding my breath.


215 posted on 01/15/2011 7:42:11 PM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 214 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Scarpetta

I think you once told me you live in the Nazareth area. I’m out near Kutztown now but grew up in Allentown. Sad what has become of it, still has it’s good points. Actually Kutztown has a similar movie theater, can’t remember the name but took my wife there on our second date.


216 posted on 01/15/2011 7:42:55 PM PST by stevio (God, guns, guts.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 212 | View Replies]

To: DollyCali

217 posted on 01/15/2011 7:44:14 PM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 214 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Scarpetta
Saw it. One of the best movies I have seen this year.

They took a few liberties with the facts on some minor matters but all in all a well done historical film. No nudity, sex is mentioned only obliquely and no violence. Language in a couple of places is raw but it is necessary to the plot. I have no idea why it got a R rating.

It was, as my niece would say, a thundering good story!

218 posted on 01/15/2011 7:46:53 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (When all you have is bolt cutters & vodka everything looks like the lock on Wolf Blitzer's boathouse)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: stevio
I’m out near Kutztown now but grew up in Allentown. Sad what has become of it, still has it’s good points.

Downtown Allentown is a sad place, but the area around the 19th St. Theater is fine. We had lunch at Wert's, which is a block away. You'll have to try out that old theater in Kutztown. It was a pleasant day...

219 posted on 01/15/2011 7:49:34 PM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 216 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Scarpetta

I saw it this evening too. I really liked it. Even the foul language didn’t bother me since it had a place in the plot. It wasn’t gratuitous. The audience applauded at the end as well. I hope it gets many Oscars.

I did have to tell the idiot teenagers next to me to put their phones away. Sheesh. If something’s so important that you have to answer the phone/send a text during a movie, then maybe you shouldn’t be in the movie in the first place.


220 posted on 01/15/2011 7:51:05 PM PST by iceskater (11/2/10 - the beginning of the beginning of restoration.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 212 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 181-200201-220221-240 ... 261-270 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson