Movies that opened small...but finished big

POSTED BY: canttakesky
UPDATED: Saturday, October 8, 2005 15:59
VIEWED: 5435
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CANTTAKESKY

Friday, October 7, 2005 6:12 PM

In our panic and obsession about box office results, we need to keep in mind that there have been plenty of movies that opened modestly, but HELD in the theatres through word of mouth and ended up making huge amounts of money. This is especially true for movies like ours, with unique, non-formulaic stories that people simply loved.

We need to HOLD, as Joss says. Our movie is better than all these. We can do it.

Evolution: opened at $13.4 mil, $38 mil domestic, $98 worldwide total
Mars Attacks: 9.3 mil, 37.7 dom, 101.3 ww
Galaxy Quest: 7 mil, 70 dom, 90.6 ww
There's Something About Mary: 13.4 mil, 176 dom, 369 ww (took 8 weeks to get to #1)
Fish Called Wanda: 4.8 mil, 62 dom (10 wks to #1)
Big Fat Greek Wedding: 3 mil, 241 dom, 368 ww (never made it to #1, but stayed in theatres for 51 wks)
Pulp Fiction: 9.3 mil, 107.9 dom, 213.9 ww

If you can think of other movies, please post here.

Can't Take My Gorram Sky

CANTTAKESKY

Friday, October 7, 2005 6:17 PM

This thread was moved from the Real World Discussions area, where I accidentally started the thread, to General Discussions.
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=18&t=13590

I'm moving the replies by others over here:

Quote:
INEVITABLEBETRAYAL
Curse your sudden--but inevitable--betrayal!

Thanks, CTS. I needed that.

_______________________________________________
I wish I had a magical wish-granting plank.

Quote:
EMBERS
'I'll be in my bunk'

just this year:
Wedding Crashers
and
40 Year Old Virgin
have managed to build audiences and make a lot of $
(here's hoping!)

Quote:
MURMURER

Galaxy Quest seems like an especially good model. It even had a similar budget.

Can't Take My Gorram Sky

CANTTAKESKY

Friday, October 7, 2005 6:19 PM

Quote:
SIGNYM

"Breaking Away" started VERY small.
"March of the Penguins"

Please don't think they give a shit.

CANTTAKESKY

Friday, October 7, 2005 6:20 PM

Quote:
CALLMESERENITY
Our ship's the nicest!

Thanks for the hope!

And as much as I LOVE Galaxy Quest and MBFGG (own both on DVD) this one is SO MUCH BETTER!

Serenity, First Officer of Destiny

(That's all the posts from the misplaced thread. We can continue the discussion here now. I'm sorry for the confusion. -- CTS)

SGTGUMP

Friday, October 7, 2005 6:28 PM

Off the top of my mind, I'd say 'Clerks'. But I hope that Serenity doesn't fall into the relatively unknown mire of the 'Cult Classics'.

I still haven't seen it yet though, I shouldn't even be looking at this website yet.

CANTTAKESKY

Friday, October 7, 2005 6:35 PM

Here are stats from movies mentioned so far.

March of the Penguins:
open 4.3 mil, 74.8 dom, 90.3 ww

Breaking Away
open $17.7 *thousand*, 16 mil domestic (10x its opening take)

Wedding Crashers and 40 year Old Virgin didn't apply so much. They opened at $33 mil (270 mil ww) and $21 mil ($102 mil ww) respectively.

Keep 'em coming.

Can't Take My Gorram Sky
PS. I get all my box office stats at boxofficemojo.com

CALLIOPE79

Friday, October 7, 2005 9:27 PM

These are obviously not the same movie as Serenity... but here's a few more for perspective:

Se7en:
Opening weekend: $13.9mil
Domestic Gross: $100.1mil
Worldwide Gross: $327.3mil
218 days to 100mil
(Budget of $30 million)

American Beauty:
Opening Weekend: $8.2mil
Domestic Gross: $130.1mil
Worldwide Gross: $356.3mil
183 days to 100mil

Scream (1):
Opening Weekend: $6.4mil
Domestic Gross: $103mil
Worldwide Gross: $173mil
163 days to 100mil

Pulp Fiction:
Opening Weekend: $9.3mil
Domestic Gross: $107.9mil
Worldwide Gross: $213.9mil
178 days to 100mil

~*~ Cheryl
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GROOSALUGG

Saturday, October 8, 2005 6:28 AM

The original Terminator (1984) opened at $4 mil.

RAKARR

Saturday, October 8, 2005 6:38 AM

See... and this is why I have no worries. So many of yall worry too much though. I promise that we will get another movie or season. I promise cause I'll be rich one day and if Joss still hadn't got another movie or season, then I'll sponsor him. Can't wait till I'm rich. Can't wait

"I'm a leaf in the wind. Watch as I soa-"
Big Damn Fansite - Where the Browncoats gather.
http://www.freewebs.com/bigdamnfansite

GREGGALLINSON

Saturday, October 8, 2005 6:43 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by canttakesky:

We need to HOLD, as Joss says. Our movie is better than all these.

...

Pulp Fiction: 9.3 mil, 107.9 dom, 213.9 ww

OK, I'll agree that Serenity is better than the rest, but Pulp Fiction? Them's fightin' words!

I seem to remember Titanic merely having an "OK" opening (relative to its massive budget and James Cameron's name) and building into a phenomenon.

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