In the realm of film production, box office previews carry significant weight as they serve as a barometer for a movie’s potential success. This critical analysis focuses on two recent releases: Apple Original Productions’ “Napoleon” and Disney’s “Wish”. By examining their preview performance and comparing it to other films, we can gain insights into their prospects and audience reception.
Apple Original Productions’ “Napoleon” garnered an impressive $3 million in Tuesday night previews, while Disney’s “Wish” collected $2.3 million during the same time frame. Considering that both films commenced their previews at 3 p.m., this showcases promising early numbers for these releases. It is important to note that 47% of K-12 schools and 20% of colleges were already out during these previews, amplifying the opportunity for moviegoers to attend. Furthermore, these percentages are poised to rise to 84% and 66% respectively today, and eventually reach 100% on Thursday and Black Friday.
“Napoleon,” with its war epic genre, has managed to achieve a remarkable preview gross. Its intake slightly falls short of what “1917” accomplished during its wide expansion in January 2020, as the latter earned $3.25 million in previews. However, it surpasses Apple/Paramount’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which garnered $2.6 million in previews. These comparative figures suggest that “Napoleon” has the potential for a distinct gross pattern, deviating from its predecessor films.
“Napoleon” is currently being presented across 3,017 theaters, including Premium Large Formats (PLFs) and 70MM screens. The early Rotten Tomatoes reviews stand at 66% fresh, providing an indication of the film’s critical reception. On the other hand, “Wish” began its wide release today, presenting itself in 3,900 domestic locations, incorporating Premium Large Format, 3D, D-Box, and 4D screens. The critical response to “Wish,” however, is relatively lower, with a 50% rotten score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Drawing comparisons to Disney’s previous Thanksgiving releases, “Coco” earned $2.3 million on a Tuesday and amassed $73 million in a five-day timeframe during 2017. Similarly, “Encanto” generated $1.5 million and achieved a $41 million gross in 2021. These numbers provide valuable insight for predicting the potential success of “Wish” on this festive occasion.
Tracking data suggests that “Wish” has the potential to secure a $45 million to $50 million gross over a five-day period, underlining its potential appeal among moviegoers. “Napoleon,” however, is projected to earn $22 million during the same timeframe. It is important to note that both films target different audience demographics, with “Wish” being rated PG and “Napoleon” carrying an R-rating. The absence of PostTrak exits from the previous night’s screenings leaves room for additional audience feedback, which will complement the CinemaScore polls conducted tonight.
In terms of competitive performance, “Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” from Lionsgate led the pack on Tuesday. It achieved a remarkable $6.5 million, exhibiting a 24% growth compared to Monday’s figures. With a total domestic gross of $56.4 million in five days, this film shares Imax screens with “Napoleon” during the five-day holiday stretch.
Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s “Trolls Band Together” claimed the second spot on Tuesday’s box office chart, accumulating $4.73 million across 3,870 theaters. This marked a 45% increase from Monday’s collection, further bolstering its overall running total of $38 million. Following closely behind was Tri-Star and Spyglass Media’s Eli Roth horror movie “Thanksgiving,” which generated $1.85 million on Tuesday. This represented a significant 54% surge from Monday and contributed to its cumulative domestic gross of $13 million since its Friday release. Lastly, Disney/Marvel Studios’ “The Marvels” earned $1.5 million on Tuesday, culminating in a $67 million running total during its second week.
The critical analysis of box office previews and performance sheds light on the potential success of two recent film releases: “Napoleon” and “Wish”. Despite the distinct nature of their genres and target audiences, both movies displayed promising early figures during their previews. However, it is important to analyze the films’ gross patterns, audience reception, and critical reviews to gauge their long-term viability in the highly competitive cinema landscape.