Box Office Success
The summer season has seen a significant increase in box office sales, with "The Fantastic Four: First Streets" leading the charge. Compared to last year’s sales, this summer has seen a profit increase of more than 10%. This is largely due to the success of "The Fantastic Four: First Streets", which has brought in a new generation of fans to the Marvel Cinematic universe.
Performance of "Fantastic Fours" on the Opening Weekend
The opening weekend of "The Fantastic Four: First Streets" was a huge success, with the film bringing in $118 million. This was largely powered by the core target audience for Marvel films, which is predominantly male. According to Rebecca Rubin, Senior Film and Media Reporter at Variety, about 68% of the audience for the opening weekend were men. However, the film’s storyline, particularly Vanessa Kirby’s character, is very feminine, which may attract a more diverse audience in the coming weeks.
Trend of Big Budget Pictures
"Fantastic Four" has also confirmed a recent trend for big budget pictures, where ticket sales are increasingly powered by high-quality award winners for large-scale cinemas and IMAX. Almost 50% of the ticket sales came from large premium formats, indicating that people want to see the film in the best and brightest screens possible. This trend has increased since the pandemic, with audiences seeking out unique and immersive experiences that cannot be replicated at home.
San Diego Comic Con
The San Diego Comic Con was also a significant event, with Michael Schneider, Television Editor at Variety, delivering the highlights from the four-day marathon. The event was calmer than usual, but still had its moments, including George Lucas’ surprising appearance and the controversy surrounding "South Park’s" parody of President Trump. Schneider himself moderated panels for the upcoming revival of "King of the Hill" and "Phineas and Ferb".
Cosplay at Comic Con
Despite the lack of significant news, the Cosplay game was strong this year, with fans showcasing their creative and often hilarious costumes. Schneider’s favorite costume was a man dressed as Milk-Nose from the TV show "Severance", complete with balloons and a blue turtleneck sweater. The attention to detail and creativity of the costume were impressive, and it was clear that the fans had put a lot of effort into their outfits.
Listen to the Daily Variety
To hear more about the box office success of "The Fantastic Four: First Streets" and the highlights from San Diego Comic Con, listen to the Daily Variety podcast on iHeartPodcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
