Questions about movies, and their longevity, number of screens at theaters, etc?!
Question: I am just curious about the average (weeks, months, etc.) that a movie will stay in theaters, etc.
Does it depend on the movie genre; comedy, drama, independent films, etc?? or maybe the revenue/ratings??
Are the DVD sales that strong after it leaves the theater that it can afford to leave sooner than later, or has downloading become that popular??
What role does the director/producers, play in how long movie stays in theaters, and how ,many screens the movie is shown on in the USA??
I have been a movie theater goer for many years, (a lot less now thanks to DVD's and On-Demand), however, I notice that many movies come and go rather quickly, while others stay for long periods of time. Surprisingly, movies that do very well at the box office, leave rather quickly.
With theater stage plays, you pretty much know up front how long it will be around ie; days or weeks, and sometimes they return if the response was very good.
Thanks
Answers: I am just curious about the average (weeks, months, etc.) that a movie will stay in theaters, etc.
Does it depend on the movie genre; comedy, drama, independent films, etc?? or maybe the revenue/ratings??
Are the DVD sales that strong after it leaves the theater that it can afford to leave sooner than later, or has downloading become that popular??
What role does the director/producers, play in how long movie stays in theaters, and how ,many screens the movie is shown on in the USA??
I have been a movie theater goer for many years, (a lot less now thanks to DVD's and On-Demand), however, I notice that many movies come and go rather quickly, while others stay for long periods of time. Surprisingly, movies that do very well at the box office, leave rather quickly.
With theater stage plays, you pretty much know up front how long it will be around ie; days or weeks, and sometimes they return if the response was very good.
Thanks
"I am just curious about the average (weeks, months, etc.) that a movie will stay in theaters, etc. "
Depends. Films that make tons of money can stay up and over 15 weeks. Films that make squat or "arthouse" films stay for only 4-5 weeks. It all depends on the box-office results, and the distributor.
"Are the DVD sales that strong after it leaves the theater that it can afford to leave sooner than later, or has downloading become that popular??"
Depends, some companies release DVD's of a movie. And then in a couple months release a SPECIAL EDITION and then a COLLECTOR's EDITION. Example: Zodiac 2007 made just under 40 million domestically and cost 75 mil to make; it released a bare-naked dvd with just the movie and the trailer in the summer. It did reasonably well getting some revenue. Then after six months, it released a "DIRECTOR's CUT" and I'm sure that'll make some more cash. I think they ended up making the 75 mil back with DVD's, international release, and domestic.
"What role does the director/producers, play in how long movie stays in theaters, and how ,many screens the movie is shown on in the USA??"
Producers. They distribute. Sadly the directors have to follow whatever the producer says unless the director is the producer themselves.
"I have been a movie theater goer for many years, (a lot less now thanks to DVD's and On-Demand), however, I notice that many movies come and go rather quickly, while others stay for long periods of time. Surprisingly, movies that do very well at the box office, leave rather quickly."
Really I didn't notice this. American Gangster is still playing in its 13th week in my local theater. Another thing, many producers re-release their films later in DECEMBER/JANUARY for Award voting so they end up making more money and getting critic's attention. Million Dollar Baby came out early in the year and ended up being re-released in January in some theaters.
Hope that clears stuff up!