Is Kung Fu Panda 4 the Key to a Reinvigorated 2024 Box Office?

 With Dune: Part Two having finally powered up the 2024 box office, it's time to build on that impetus if the wider box office recovery is to continue. There could be another strong contender lurking in the wings for this weekend’s releases- but it will doubtless surprise you to learn that this hope lies with the fourth installment of the animated Kung Fu Panda saga! Blake & Wang P.A. entertainment attorney Los Angeles, Brandon Blake, has more on this ironic twist for us.


                                                                        Brandon Blake

Two $40M Grosses on the Cards

For the first time since July 2023 and the Barbenheimer dual release, we have a chance at not one, but two, films grossing over $40M this weekend. In fact, those figures may top $50M!

While Dune: Part Two has had the benefit of massive hype and anticipation, Kung Fu Panda 4 may well turn out to be the more profitable production. Dune: Part Two has already grossed over $100M globally, and is anticipated to close at around the $225M mark. The last installment in the Kung Fu Panda franchise, released in 2016, grossed about $175M domestically and $600M globally (adjusted to modern ticket prices), at a considerably lower production cost.

The Animated Drawcard

Animated theatrical releases are a cornerstone for the family market. This will be the first major animation release for the year, from a tried and trusted franchise. It will have no competition until Sony releases its The Garfield Movie, currently scheduled for late May. Additionally, its initial release month will overlap with most countries’ school holidays and Easter breaks- prime time for that particular demographic. This is, after all, the same time of year that helped propel The Super Mario Bros. Movie to amazing success last year.


Will it reach the same heights as Dune: Part Two or Super Mario? By the raw numbers, that’s unlikely. However, with a production budget of a staggering $100M less than Dune’s, and great timing for its target market, we may see Kung Fu Panda come out ahead on the profitability stakes. Even if it doesn’t reach that benchmark, however, the news of a realistic double-billing with $40M potential will be a welcome breath of fresh air to what has been a sluggish 2024 box office. That alone is worth celebrating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ad-Supported Tiers Are Winning, But Why Are Streamers So Keen?

Image
 As a spate of price increases touch all but the ad-supported tiers of most of the major streaming players, it’s clear the streaming world has thoroughly embraced the ad-tier model as a key driver of future streaming growth. But with so many streamers actively pushing new subscribers to their cheaper plans, what’s the secret? And how will this help them achieve that coveted profitability?One of the best entertainment lawyers Los Angeles Brandon Blake, from Blake & Wang P.A, takes a closer look. Brandon Blake Broader Audiences It’s no news that the wider market- Wall Street in particular- has finally realized that the pandemic-spurred boom in subscription numbers is unsustainable. Premium tiers may deliver premium features, but at a time when most households are looking for ways to cut costs, they’re less attractive than they once were. For many, this means a cheaper offering with only a little less convenience looks a whole lot more attractive. What is quite interesting is tha
Read more

Fall Film Festival Acquisitions to Know

Image
 With the traditional red carpet promenade severely limited by strike action, the fall film festival circuit gave indie movies a near-unprecedented chance to shine to buyers. While some jitteriness around the SAG-AFTRA waiver system caused slower-than-normal sales and some of the larger AMPTP distributors to opt for a ‘wait and see’ policy, there have been some strong acquisitions to keep on your radar. Entertainment lawyer Brandon Blake, of Blake & Wang P.A., highlights just a few to watch. Brandon Blake Festival and Post-Festival Sales Of the titles acquired during the festival itself, we see Sing Sing (to A24) headed to 2024 theatrical release in a seven-figure deal. Sorry/Not Sorry (Greenwich Entertainment) and Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World (Wavelengths)also attracted considerable festival attention. Despite the quiet market overall for documentaries, Netflix took home Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa alongside Women of the Hour as the fi
Read more

The Sticky Question of Residuals: Could Netflix Have the Answer?

Image
 Has there been any more contentious issue in the entertainment industry this year than that of residuals? One potential solution to this thorny issue lies in the success-based residual metrics already employed in parts of Europe- ironically, and most notably, by Netflix themselves. Brandon Blake, entertainment lawyer Los Angeles from Blake & Wang P.A, takes a look at this most unusual development. Brandon Blake The European Model Where European copyright legislation and Netflix meet, there could be middle ground. Netflix has already established several collective streamer residual agreements in European countries, from France to Germany, and Scandinavia. These agreements offer additional compensation to creators for well-performing content. However, the level of transparency regarding compensation details remains a concern for both unions and streamers.   It’s no secret that European entertainment markets are more heavily regulated than others, with EU law mandating regi
Read more