Could Christmas Day Releases Hurt the Box-Office?

[nomad2010]

I find it strange that both Rapunzel and the Princess and the Frog are both scheduled for Christmas day. I mean looks at all of the great November and December animation releases. Now why Christmas day? My only problem with releasing their return to animation on Christmas day is the fact that if they want a large box-office revenue and a big opening weekend shouldn't the be released before Christmas? I mean not that many people go see movies on Christmas day. It just doesn't seem very logical to me. Thoughts?

[Escapay]

I mean not that many people go see movies on Christmas day.

Um...have you ever been inside a theatre on or after Christmas Day? It's just as crowded as it is during summer weekends!

Albert

[Simba3]

I mean not that many people go see movies on Christmas day.

Um...have you ever been inside a theatre on or after Christmas Day? It's just as crowded as it is during summer weekends!

Yeah, Christmas Day actually draws a pretty good crowd, for many families seeing a movie on Christmas night is a tradition. Plus, school is out for the kids for a couple weeks, and parents have different days off and holiday hours, so a Christmas release could be quite successful.

[aliceinneverland]

I didn´t even think the theatre was open on Christmas day?? What about all those poor people who have to work - i hope they paid a lot!

[satas]

You realize not everyone celebrates xmas right? I always used to volunteer to work on easter, xmas etc. for over 20 percent of the country, its just another day. Meet the fockers did over 46 million on xmas day when it opened a couple of years ago. This year the new star trek is opening on xmas too.

[jrboy]

Meet the fockers did over 46 million on xmas day when it opened a couple of years ago.

It made 46 million over Christmas weekend(24-26), it did $19,542,490 on christmas day. But it didn't open Christmas Day it opened December 22

CHRISTMAS OPENINGS
1 Ali - $10,216,625 / $58,203,105
2 Catch Me If You Can - $9,882,063 / $164,615,351
3 Aliens Vs. Predator - Requiem $9,515,615 / $41,797,066
4 Dreamgirls - $8,726,095 / $103,365,956
5 Patch Adams - $8,081,760 / $135,026,902
6 Cheaper by the Dozen - $7,839,594 / $138,614,544
7 The Talented Mr. Ripley - $6,389,000 / $81,298,265
8 The Godfather Part III - $6,387,271 / $66,666,062
9 Stepmom - $5,901,185 / $91,137,662
10 Fat Albert - $5,550,217 / $48,116,322

CHRISTMAS DAY
1 Meet the Fockers - $19,542,490 / $279,261,160
2 The Lord of the Rings: The Return... - $13,986,220 / $377,027,325
3 National Treasure: Book of Secrets - $13,656,128 / $219,953,463
4 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - $12,381,307 / $341,786,758
5 Night at the Museum - $11,778,870 / $250,863,268
6 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship... - $11,570,303 / $314,776,170
7 Cast Away - $10,968,669 / $233,632,142
8 Ali - $10,216,625 / $58,203,105
9 Catch Me If You Can - $9,882,063 / $164,615,351
10 I Am Legend - $9,781,154 / $256,393,010

[steve]

This year the new star trek is opening on xmas too.

I hate to disappoint you, but it's been moved to May 2009.

[Ioz]

I think they also realize that there usually isn't much competition in January, so it could have longer legs.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

I didn´t even think the theatre was open on Christmas day?? What about all those poor people who have to work - i hope they paid a lot!

Some restaurants are also open on Christmas day.

It really isn't that sad, there are some benefits to working on Christmas Day-getting quite a lot of other days off to be exact.

As for the discussion, I think Disney will eventually bring the release dates forward to November (a day before Thanksgiving is usually their release date, earlier November if Harry Potter is there). Outside of Narnia and National Treasure 2, I can't think of one Disney movie(of the Eisner/Iger era) released in December that was successful(one of the reasons I think ENG disappointed).

[tsom]

What is ENG?

Also, I have a question. Does anyone have an opinion on which month is better to release a movie: November or December?

[steve]

ENG = The Emperor's New Groove

[aliceinneverland]

You realize not everyone celebrates xmas right?

Yeah i know - i am from England though and whenever i go back for Christmas where i come from - nowhere is open apart from a few pubs!