That is noteworthy considering the year is looking like it will set an overall money-making record. That would appear to be a lock after “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” on Dec. 18. However, since it opens on that date, much of the money it takes in will be for the next calendar year. So, these last few months for the other movies are critical. Can some over-achieve?
But even if it fails to set the record, 2015 is looking fine for movies. Now, the other side of the coin is that less people are seeing movies. That does tend to go up and down, depending on the product, of course. The sheer volume of movies out does not always translate into better box office either. Plus, the money made does not always equal quality movies. The industry is coming off a weak year and a stale award season. Movies about show business do well with insiders, but “Birdman” winning best picture fell flat with movie-goers, and it showed with the Oscar ratings last February.
To get a quick look at the amount, in 2002, there were 479 movies released in theaters. That year saw 1.57 billion tickets sold. So far this year there has been 486 movies released and 974 million tickets sold. Last year saw 701 movies released and 1.268 billion tickets sold. Last year was considered a disappointment in the eyes of Hollywood. See the entire list here.
The record year that 2015 is aiming for is for box office take not necessarily tickets sold, so there lies the dilemma. The revenue take for 2013 is the one to beat. It sits at $10.923.6 billion, according to the latest figures from Box Office Mojo. So, 2015 has a way to go and with five movies that made the top 50 all-time, domestically, one would think it would be easy to set a record, but that is not so.
The five movies that tore up the 2015 box office so far are “Jurassic World,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Inside Out,” “Furious 7” and “Minions.” All five are still officially open (still playing in some theaters). The rank domestically is often not the same as it is worldwide.
“Jurassic World” is slightly less than eight million from passing “Titanic” for second place all-time, domestically. The distance on the all-time worldwide chart is much larger than that, however. The domestic chart is still what the studios tout and often live and die by. However, that seemed to change this year as well. The way in which movies are seen and distributed is changing and the worldwide figures are starting to dwarf the domestic. So, look for that to be the more important headlines in the years to come.
Since the numbers are still changing, charting them is not the way to go for this report. But, Box Office Mojo has them and is linked in this story.
Besides “Jurassic World,” the others did well, too. “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is No. 8 on the all-time domestic chart and No. 6 all-time worldwide. “Inside Out” is No. 29 domestically and No. 56 worldwide. “Furious 7” is No. 31 domestically and No. 5 worldwide and “Minions” is No. 37 domestically and No. 10 worldwide.
That is not bad at all. The top three on both lists are the same, so “Avatar,” “Titanic” and “Jurassic World” are in those spots. The top two have surpassed $2 billion while “Jurassic World” is at $1.6 billion and counting.
Keep in mind that the worldwide total for the first weekend of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” will blow away many records and will be mind-numbing. That series is in a world by itself.
Now, since 1980, there has been over one billion tickets sold each year and 2002 was the highest year for attendance. In 1980, there were only 161 movies released.
