Box Office Highlights: "Beauty" vs "Power Rangers

This weekend, the box office showcases the undeniable power of well-established brands, proving that they often overshadow the cast featured on movie posters.

Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" continues to perform exceptionally well in its second weekend, with estimates suggesting it could reach $90.4 million, despite the studio's more conservative figure of $88.3 million. Historically, this places the film as the fourth highest-grossing second weekend, trailing only behind "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," "Jurassic World," and "Marvel's The Avengers." Projections indicate that the total for the musical by Bill Condon will surpass $319 million soon.

On the other hand, Lionsgate's revival of the beloved "Power Rangers" franchise, which originally captivated audiences in the 1990s, is anticipated to gross around $40.5 million. Critics questioned the decision to release it alongside "Beauty and the Beast," but both films have attracted their respective audiences effectively. "Power Rangers" appeals primarily to a male demographic, with over 60% of its viewers being men, while "Beauty and the Beast" maintains a strong female audience, with over 70% of ticket buyers being women. This strategic release demonstrates how diverse offerings can thrive simultaneously at the box office.

The recent success of family-centric films has caught everyone's attention, particularly with 'Beauty and the Beast' set to surpass $90 million at the box office.

Emma Watson's star power undoubtedly contributes to this film's appeal, attracting audiences of all ages, from young children to their grandparents.

Meanwhile, 'Power Rangers' is also making waves, anticipated to bring in around $40 million, showcasing a new cast in its iconic roles.

Both films are outperforming competitors like 'Life,' featuring Ryan Reynolds and Jake Gyllenhaal, and the R-rated remake of 'Chips,' which stars Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell.

Before their release, 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Power Rangers' had already established credibility with audiences, thanks to their legacy in toys, merchandise, and television.

In an era where studios consider releasing films on digital platforms shortly after their theatrical runs, families remain a crucial demographic.

Despite the rising costs of movie outings, families are still willing to spend on cinematic experiences, as evidenced by March's record-breaking $1 billion box office haul, as reported by Comscore.

A distribution executive pointed out that families typically attend the movies multiple times a year, viewing it as a valued activity that fosters togetherness, even if it means dipping into their savings.

This enthusiasm for family films underscores the ongoing viability of the genre, as demonstrated by the promising performances of 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Power Rangers.'

The latest box office results indicate that "Power Rangers" is resonating well with audiences, particularly millennials aged 25 to 34, who comprised 39% of the viewers according to Comscore/Screen Engine's PostTrak analysis.

The film saw a Saturday haul of $14.6 million, a slight dip from Friday's $15 million, which also included $3.6 million from Thursday previews.

Demographic insights reveal that the audience was predominantly male, making up 65% of ticket sales, with an almost equal distribution between those under and over 25 years old (49% under 25 and 51% over 25). Notably, 49% of the audience fell within the 18-34 age group. The film received an impressive A+ rating from viewers under 18, while both male and female audiences rated it an A.

With a production budget of $100 million and Lionsgate holding a 25% stake in the film, industry insiders suggest that the $40.5 million opening weekend is a solid start. This figure surpasses the initial earnings of "Maze Runner," which opened in the low $30 million range, and significantly outpaces "Divergent Series: Allegiant," which debuted at $29 million.

"Power Rangers" contributes to Lionsgate's strong performance since last fall, joining hits like "Boo! A Madea Halloween" ($73 million domestically), "Hacksaw Ridge" (which earned $175.3 million worldwide and garnered two Oscars), "La La Land" (six Oscars and $430 million globally), "John Wick: Chapter 2" ($90 million domestic, $159 million worldwide), and the faith-based film "The Shack" (nearly $50 million).

The film achieved a 66% definite recommend score, outperforming "Chips" (50%) and "Life" (48%). Among younger audiences, boys aged 7-9 represented 44% of children under 12, giving "Power Rangers" a remarkable 94% positive score. Fathers, who constituted 45% of the audience, also rated the film highly with a 92% positive score.

Overall, the audience demographic for "Power Rangers" was well-rounded, with Caucasians making up 35% of viewers on Friday, followed by 25% Hispanic, 24% African American, and 11% Asian.Despite Lionsgate's decision to sell off its international rights, there is optimism surrounding the potential success of Power Rangers in foreign markets.

If Power Rangers performs well overseas, it could positively impact the international sales landscape, which has been struggling recently.

This is particularly relevant given the disappointing performance of films like Gods of Egypt, which had a hefty production budget of $140 million but only managed to earn $31 million domestically, and Allegiant, with its $110 million cost and a mere $66 million in domestic earnings.

At the recent Hollywood premiere, Haim Saban, the mastermind behind Power Rangers, revealed that he had long awaited the opportunity to create a film inspired by the beloved 1990s series and toy line. “For the past 24 years, I have been eager to see this movie come to fruition,” Saban expressed.

This new adaptation showcases enhanced production quality and a more serious tone compared to its predecessors, including the original Fox Kids show and the 1995 film, which grossed a modest $38 million domestically and struggled during the franchise’s heyday.

However, Lionsgate faces challenges in elevating their critic ratings, currently at a lackluster 46%, which could hinder box office success. The franchise's strength lies in its loyal fanbase, reminiscent of the Transformers phenomenon, appealing to a wide age range, particularly millennials who have fond memories of the series.

The current film aims to strike a balance between authenticity and a grounded narrative, featuring relatable high school characters in its engaging opening act. Despite this, fans might crave a bolder, more sophisticated approach akin to the film Logan. There was a fan-made adult-oriented Power Rangers short that garnered 12 million views before being removed from YouTube in early 2015, suggesting a desire for a more mature take on the franchise.

Meanwhile, two notable studios are in the spotlight: Sony, which made a concerted effort to promote its film Life, and Warner Bros., which faced criticism for its handling of Chips.

Sony has faced challenges in launching its sci-fi thriller, "Life." The film's release has been shuffled several times, initially slated for March 24, then moved to Memorial Day weekend, and eventually landing on the current date after the competition from "Baywatch."

To promote "Life," Sony invested over $10 million in two 30-second Super Bowl ads, targeting a massive audience of around 111 million viewers. Additionally, the film was featured at the SXSW film festival, complete with an innovative marketing booth in select AMC theaters. The studio aimed to create buzz by connecting the film's premise to real-world discoveries, like the recent finding of seven Earth-like planets in the Trappist-1 system, and even engaged audiences on Reddit following a NASA announcement. A partnership with Vice Motherboard also included a sweepstakes to stir interest.

However, despite a budget of $58 million, which is lower than Sony's other sci-fi project "Passengers," the film seems to be struggling.

Critics have not been kind, with a mixed 66% rating, and audience reception has been even worse, giving it a C+ grade. This negative feedback is detrimental to box office performance. The core issue appears to be the film's plot, which features a menacing alien in space—a theme that has already been expertly tackled by Ridley Scott's "Alien."

As audiences draw comparisons to classic films like "The Thing" and "Gravity," they express concerns about the lack of originality in "Life." Social media analyst RelishMix highlighted that many viewers are questioning the film's logic, particularly the decision to interact with the alien organism without proper testing.

With "Life" sandwiched between more popular R-rated films like "Kong: Skull Island" and "Logan," its chances for success appear increasingly bleak.

Chips' Box Office Struggles

Chips faced significant challenges that contributed to its disappointing performance.

The film was released during a highly competitive time, which severely affected its box office potential.

Moreover, it suffered from insufficient marketing efforts, failing to create enough buzz to attract viewers.

Critics were not kind, as reflected in its low rating of 21% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Additionally, the buddy cop genre, which has been explored in successful films like 21 Jump Street, The Other Guys, Ride Along, and The Heat, left audiences feeling saturated and uninterested.

In a competitive market for films, particularly with the rise of R-rated comedies, it's crucial to leverage unique genres effectively. As the weekend approached, 'Chips' faced tough competition, especially from films catering to male audiences. Initially slated for an August 11 release, 'Chips' lost its prime date to 'Annabelle 2,' a decision that may have impacted its performance.

Despite testing well with audiences, scoring in the 90s, the film's potential seemed to fade. Directed by Dax Shepard, known for his distinct comedic style, 'Chips' aimed to attract both younger and older viewers alike. With a modest budget of around $20 million, Shepard has previously shown his ability to deliver hits on a shoestring budget, as seen with projects like 'Hit and Run.'

However, turning a profit in today's cinematic landscape requires not just a good film but also effective marketing. Universal and Blumhouse have demonstrated this with their success stories like 'Get Out' and 'Split,' which grossed over $410 million combined against a mere $13.5 million budget.

Sadly, 'Chips' did not garner the expected attention. Shepard and co-star Kristen Bell made significant efforts to promote the film through social media, talk shows, and cross-promotions on networks like Comedy Central and truTV. Bell even engaged directly with fans on Twitter, urging them to support the film.

Unfortunately, Warner Bros. appeared to invest less in the marketing of 'Chips' compared to its competitors. Reports indicated that their advertising spend was significantly lower, around $16.5 million, while Sony and Lionsgate outspent them with $27 million and $30 million respectively for their films. The lack of social media traction further highlighted the film's struggles, as it failed to make an impact on Comscore's social media rankings and had only a couple of trailers released online.

It seems that after generating around 5 million views for the initial trailer, which debuted on Jimmy Kimmel's show, Warner Bros. may have pulled back on promotional efforts, leading to a disappointing outcome for 'Chips.'In terms of marketing strategies, the studio opted for a minimal approach, seemingly anticipating that "Chips" would not perform well. According to RelishMix, conversations surrounding the film leaned negative, indicating a lack of excitement. Despite releasing several trailers and comedic snippets featuring the cast, it appears that audiences are weary of remakes and adaptations of classic television series, questioning the need for more.

Moreover, the performance of male-led comedies is struggling at the box office, particularly when they lack female leads. In contrast, films like "Office Christmas Party" with Jennifer Aniston and "Bad Moms" have found greater success, suggesting that female presence is a crucial factor in attracting audiences.

Analyzing the audience demographics, 54% of viewers were male, while females made up 46%. Notably, 65% of the audience was aged 25 and over, with an overall positive reception score of only 74%.

Earlier this week, there were discussions within the studio about introducing a premium video-on-demand (PVOD) option, selling the film for $30 a few weeks post-release. However, considering "Chips" received poor reviews and a mediocre B- CinemaScore, it raises the question of whether audiences would be willing to pay that price. If marketing failed to draw viewers to theaters, how would the film stand out on crowded platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime? The potential for revenue seems limited for a film that did not create significant buzz. Typically, audiences are willing to pay more for an initial theatrical release than for home viewing later.

As for box office results over the weekend, estimates indicate that Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" is projected to earn $90 million in its second week, having a strong hold with impressive figures: $23.6 million on Friday, followed by $38.2 million on Saturday, and $26.5 million on Sunday, bringing its total to $316.95 million.

Meanwhile, "Saban's Power Rangers" is expected to bring in around $40 million in its opening weekend, with a Friday take of $15 million, which includes previews. Additional films like "Kong: Skull Island" are also included in weekend estimates, reflecting varying degrees of success across the box office.4.) Life (Skydance/Sony) debuted in 3,146 locations, earning $4.4 million on Friday, which includes $800,000 from previews. The film saw a Saturday increase with $4.8 million but dropped to $3.3 million on Sunday, bringing its weekend total to $12.6 million in its first week.

3.) Logan (Fox) played in 3,163 theaters, down 524 from last week, and made $2.7 million on Friday. It had a solid Saturday with $4.5 million but saw a decline to $2.9 million on Sunday, resulting in a weekend total of $10.1 million and a cumulative total of $201.45 million after four weeks, marking a 43% drop.

2.) Get Out (Universal) screened in 2,474 theaters, a reduction of 505, generating $2.5 million on Friday and $3.8 million on Saturday before falling to $2.3 million on Sunday, totaling $8.6 million for the weekend and $147.4 million overall in its fifth week, reflecting a 35% decrease.

1.) Chips (Warner Bros) opened in 2,464 theaters and earned $2.6 million on Friday, which included $500,000 from previews. It grossed $3 million on Saturday but fell to $1.98 million on Sunday, culminating in a weekend total of $7.6 million in its first week.

5.) The Shack (Lionsgate) was shown in 2,330 theaters, down 495 from the previous week, and brought in $1 million on Friday. It made $1.6 million on Saturday and dipped to $1.1 million on Sunday, ending with a weekend total of $3.78 million and a total of $49 million after four weeks, a decline of 36%.

6.) The Lego Batman Movie (Warner Bros) was featured in 1,638 theaters, down a significant 1,097. It earned $450,000 on Friday, $920,000 on Saturday, and $600,000 on Sunday, totaling $1.97 million for the weekend, with an overall tally of $170.8 million after seven weeks, reflecting a 57% drop.

7.) The Belko Experiment (BH Tilt/Orion) opened in 1,341 theaters, earning $553,000 on Friday, $784,000 on Saturday, and $463,000 on Sunday, leading to a weekend total of $1.8 million and a cumulative total of $7.6 million after two weeks, down 55%.

8.) Katamarayudu (CGX) was released in 250 theaters, making $677,000 on Friday, $252,000 on Saturday, and $151,000 on Sunday, resulting in a weekend total of $1.08 million in its first week.

As of Saturday morning, estimates for the weekend of March 24-26 indicate that Beauty and the Beast (Disney) performed strongly in 4,210 theaters, earning $23.6 million on Friday, a decline of 63%. The film is projected to finish the weekend with around $91 million, a decrease of 48%, bringing its total to $319.1 million after its second week.

Box Office Highlights

Saban’s Power Rangers kicked off its debut with a strong performance, earning approximately $15 million on Friday, which includes $3.6 million from previews. By the end of its opening weekend, it is projected to reach around $41.6 million across 3,693 theaters.

In its third weekend, Kong: Skull Island experienced a decline, bringing in $3.68 million on Friday, a 50% drop from the previous week. Over the weekend, it is expected to accumulate $14 million, leading to a total of $133.1 million.

Life, released by Skydance/Sony, opened in 3,146 theaters and made $4.3 million on Friday, including $800,000 in previews. The film is on track to achieve $12.2 million in its opening weekend.

Logan, in its fourth week, earned $2.66 million on Friday, a 42% decrease, and is projected to finish with about $10 million this weekend, bringing its total to $201.3 million.

Get Out, now in its fifth week, took in $2.5 million on Friday, down 34% from last week. The film will likely end the weekend with $8.9 million, resulting in a total of $147.7 million.

Chips had a modest start in 2,464 theaters, earning $2.6 million on Friday, which includes $500,000 from previews. Its weekend total is expected to be around $7.3 million.

The Shack, now in its fourth week, made $1 million on Friday and is projected to garner $3.9 million for the weekend, totaling $49.1 million.

The Belko Experiment, in its second week, struggled with a Friday take of $553,000, down 64%, and is expected to end the weekend with $1.8 million, totaling $7.6 million.

In its seventh week, The Lego Batman Movie earned $448,000 on Friday, a significant drop of 63%, and is set to total $1.7 million this weekend, amounting to $170.6 million overall.

Katamarayudu debuted in 250 theaters, making $671,000 on Friday, with a projected weekend total of $1.69 million.

Key Highlights:

• "T2 Trainspotting" (Sony/Tri-Star) expanded to 59 theaters, increasing by 54.
• It earned $128k on Friday, showing a 100% rise.
• For the three-day weekend, the total is projected at $404k, a 138% increase.

• The overall total stands at $637k in its second week.

  
  

• "Personal Shopper" (IFC) is now in 107 theaters, up by 66.

  
  
• It grossed $59k on Friday, a 65% boost.
• The expected three-day total is $225k, marking a 47% increase.

• Its total earnings reach $554k after three weeks.

  
  

• "Song to Song" (Broad Green) expanded to 80 theaters, an increase of 76.

  
  
• It brought in $40k on Friday, a 127% rise.
• The three-day total is estimated at $129k, reflecting a significant 158% growth.

• The film’s total earnings now sit at $201k after its second week.

  
  

• "Raw" (Focus Features) is now showing in 27 theaters, up by 18.

  
  
• It earned $22k on Friday, a 59% increase.
• For the three-day period, it is projected to bring in $72k, a 50% rise.
• The cumulative total stands at $185k after three weeks.

Update as of midday Friday:
Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" is leading the box office with an anticipated $21 million on Friday, a 67% decrease from its previous results, but still on track for a weekend total of $84 million.
If this projection holds, it will secure its position as the fourth highest second weekend ever, trailing only behind "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" ($149.2m), "Jurassic World" ($106.5m), and "The Avengers" ($103m).
By the end of Sunday, "Beauty and the Beast" will surpass $500 million globally, with a domestic total expected to reach $312.6 million.

The film's second weekend hold is estimated at -52%, comparable to "Jurassic World" (-49%) and outperforming superhero films such as "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (-59%) and "Captain America: Civil War" (-60%).
This suggests that legacy films like "Jurassic World" and "Beauty and the Beast" tend to have stronger staying power compared to more top-heavy fanboy franchises.

Lionsgate’s Saban’s Power Rangers is proving to be a formidable contender at the box office, projected to earn around $40 million over the weekend, with an initial estimate of $14 million from matinee showings.

This is a promising start for a film that carries a hefty $100 million production budget, funded primarily through foreign sales and output agreements, giving the studio approximately 25% overall exposure, according to financial analysts. A distribution executive from a competing studio remarked, “This has to be seen as a success for Lionsgate.”

The film has already grossed $18.7 million across 62 markets, although key territories such as Japan, South Korea, France, Italy, and Spain are yet to release.

In contrast, two R-rated films, Life and Chips, are facing challenges at the box office, particularly against strong competitors like Warner Bros/Legendary’s Kong: Skull Island, expected to bring in about $15 million in its third weekend, and 20th Century Fox’s Logan, anticipated to earn around $11 million in its fourth weekend. Kong is on track to reach a total of $134 million, while Logan is projected to amass $202.3 million.

Skydance and Sony's latest sci-fi venture, "Life," is struggling at the box office, with projections estimating a mere $5 million for today and a total opening of around $14 million, despite its $58 million budget. Sony is responsible for a quarter of the production costs, while Skydance has covered the majority. Clearly, the film needs to perform significantly better.

Meanwhile, "Chips" is facing dire circumstances with a projected opening of only $7.5 million, following a disappointing $500,000 start on its opening night. The film had a production budget of $20 million before accounting for marketing expenses. More detailed analysis on these figures will be available later tonight as the numbers become clearer.

On a brighter note, Lionsgate's release of "Power Rangers" has shown stronger potential, earning $3.6 million during its Thursday night previews across 2,700 domestic theaters. Directed by Dean Israelite, this film draws from a successful TV and toy franchise and is expected to open between $30 million and $40 million.

Comparatively, "Power Rangers" fell just short of the $3.7 million earned by "Kong: Skull Island" and the $2.2 million garnered by "The LEGO Batman Movie" during their respective Thursday previews. Both of those films went on to significant openings of $61 million and $53 million this year. Additionally, "Power Rangers" outperformed previous entries in the "Maze Runner" franchise, which had much lower preview earnings.

As for "Life," the R-rated thriller featuring Ryan Reynolds and Jake Gyllenhaal had a lackluster debut, pulling in only $800,000 from 2,627 venues during its initial night, which began at 7 PM. Sony's projections indicate a mid-teens weekend for the film. Dax Shepard's comedy "Chips" also faced challenges, with early estimates suggesting it could only reach a $10 million opening, having started the night with around $500,000 according to Warner Bros. tracking.

Box Office Updates and Ratings

The latest releases are experiencing modest ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.
Among them, "Life" leads with a lukewarm score of 63% fresh.
In contrast, "Power Rangers" has received a lower rating at 44%.
Meanwhile, "Chips" is struggling significantly, sitting at just 28% fresh.

In a competitive box office landscape, Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" continues to shine, raking in approximately $11 million yesterday.

This reflects a slight decrease of 5% from the previous day, bringing its total earnings for the week to an impressive $228.7 million.

Even with projections suggesting a potential dip to $71.3 million for its second weekend, many analysts are optimistic, predicting a robust $80 million.

This indicates that "Beauty and the Beast" is on a clear path to surpass the $300 million mark.

Following in the rankings, Warner Bros. and Legendary’s "Kong: Skull Island" secured the second spot with $1.88 million, accumulating $119 million over its two-week run.

Meanwhile, 20th Century Fox's "Logan" claimed third place on Thursday, earning $1.4 million, which brings its cumulative total to $191.3 million, with hopes of hitting the $200 million milestone this weekend.

Additionally, Lionsgate/Summit's "La La Land," an Oscar-winning film, has finally surpassed the $150 million threshold at the domestic box office after 15 weeks in theaters.

Fans can look forward to its digital HD release on April 11, followed by DVD, Blu-ray, and on-demand availability on April 25.

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