No more 3-D re-releases for Disney?

[Flanger-Hanger]

Well, it is still vastly in profit either way, isn't it ?

No, read the whole text to understand why:

"Advertising and releasing a family film nationwide costs tens of millions of dollars, and ticket sales have to be split with theater owners. That makes it difficult to turn a profit on a box-office gross of less than $50 million."

[DisneyJedi]

We can only hope the rerelease of The Little Mermaid turns out to be successful. I'm not sure how its last rerelease did financially, but I heard it out grossed Anastasia, which came out about the same time in '97.

[rodis]

We can only hope the rerelease of The Little Mermaid turns out to be successful. I'm not sure how its last rerelease did financially, but I heard it out grossed Anastasia, which came out about the same time in '97.

Anastasia did about $50 million and Mermaid $27 million (added to its $84 million from 1989). Mermaid had a "special engagement" of a brief 14-day run.

Disney weren't planning on outgrossing Anastasia, they wanted to bite off of its profit, which they did.

Then, after a successful theatrical run, it came out on video in 1998 and was a huge success. People were really eager to grab a copy since it was in the vault since 1991 (think how many people became Disney fans during 1991-1998). Of course, the platinum edition was big as well, outdone only by LK.

BTW, I read an interview with some Disney executive from a few years back, he was asked what was their most successful Disney classic at the El Capitan, he said "Mermaid".

ETA: it was Dick Cook. Here's a link:
http://boxofficemojo.com/features/?id=2417&p=s.htm

[DancingCrab]

As long we still get The Little Mermaid on the big screen next year, I'm fine with them putting a halt on the 3D conversions. I'll probably see Mermaid ONCE in 3D and a few other times in 2D for nostalgic reasons.

[Tae]

This doesn't bother me too much, since I don't really like seeing 2D movies in 3D. I saw Beauty and the Beast in 3D because I had a free ticket (which, amusingly, came with my BatB Blu-Ray), and while it was neat, I'd seen it so many times and knew every detail of it so well that I kept getting distracted by the grasses and trees and stuff that were all in 3D and were sticking out of the screen.
I think a better strategy would be to just re-release the Disney movies in 2D like they used to, and leave the 3D to Pixar's catalog. Or at the least, not have so many releases at once! I'm hardly going to go see Beauty and the Beast, Brave, Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., and Wreck-It-Ralph in under a year, especially with how much 3D tickets cost.

[Disney's Divinity]

I'm really glad Mermaid was so early on. I was very worried when I read the release schedule, because I guessed that Beauty and the Beast would not perform as well as The Lion King, and that Mermaid might end up canceled as a result.

At this rate, I really only expect Mermaid to perform around the same as B&tB--and possibly a little more. I have no idea how Aladdin might've done, and I don't think Disney would care to try considering how they've been giving it the cold shoulder lately.

[Sky Syndrome]

If Disney knocked off adding free admission tickets to see *insert Disney/Pixar film title* in 3D in theater to the front of home release movie cases, it'd be one way they can fix the problem of their 3D films losing money in theaters!

Them: Why isn't Monsters, Inc 3D bringing in enough money to be considered a success?
Me: Because you plastered free admission tickets to see it on a mountain of Finding Nemo 3D Blu-ray boxes!

[estefan]

The Lion King's 3D release making as much money as it did surprised everyone, including Disney. However, this sadly created expectations for the other re-issues. $40 million is admirable enough for re-issues of films already widely available on DVDs and in most homes. But Disney expected them to reach $90 million domestic or $177 million worldwide like The Lion King did.

The Lion King: Making Disney consistently disappointed, since 1994.

[jpanimation]

So this only affects Disney movies, right? It sound like all of the Pixar movies are getting converted regardless, which is cool with me, since they've been freaking fantastic so far. Don't care for the Disney conversions though.

[thelittleursula]

Why don't they just re-release the movies like they did the old days ? I remember seeing Sleeping Beauty at the big screen when I was 3. It was amazing.

The movie doesn't have to be 3D to shine. Though knowing Disney, they won't notice that.

[rodis]

Why don't they just re-release the movies like they did the old days ? I remember seeing Sleeping Beauty at the big screen when I was 3. It was amazing.

The movie doesn't have to be 3D to shine. Though knowing Disney, they won't notice that.

I agree, but seeing that "Cinderella" and "Peter Pan"'s blu rays were simply shifted from their Platinum DVDs, I'm glad that at least "The Little Mermaid" is going 3D, that way they WILL have to do a new restoration to fit the standard.

[The_Iceflash]

Why don't they just re-release the movies like they did the old days ? I remember seeing Sleeping Beauty at the big screen when I was 3. It was amazing.

The movie doesn't have to be 3D to shine. Though knowing Disney, they won't notice that.

I agree, but seeing that "Cinderella" and "Peter Pan"'s blu rays were simply shifted from their Platinum DVDs, I'm glad that at least "The Little Mermaid" is going 3D, that way they WILL have to do a new restoration to fit the standard.

Peter Pan don't need a new restoration though.

[carlossilva]

To be honest, couldn't they just give their movies a regular cinema re-release like they used to? I'm sure people would flock to that, as there wouldnt be the inflated ticked prices.

My opinion exactly. Here in Portugal I believe only The Lion King got re-released in 3D. I went to the thatre to watch it once again, not because of the 3D ( which I don't even like ), but simply because it was a new chance to watch it on the big screen. As far as I'm concerned, they only have to get their movies to the theater again and I'll sure watch them ( and I mean any of the DACs ). 3D? Well actually with The Lion King I checked first to see if there was any theater showing it in 2D. No luck though ...

Carlos

[Kyle]

Because they feel they need something to justify it. Their competing with home releases now on a level not possible before the event of bluray. A lot of people would just rather buy (or god forbid, stream) the movie instead. With many home theaters now rivaling the theatrical experience in terms of picture and sound to some extent 3D is the only obvious thing to set it apart. Its the one marketable difference they can hold over you.

Its debatable how many people are seeing re releases for the 3D versus just wanting to see them period, but its hard to say for sure, and a lot factors into that too, like the higher ticket costs.

[Semaj]

According to Boxofficemojo, Monsters Inc.'s 3D re-release finished its first week at #7 with only $6.5 million dollars.

Probably because this release is being made only three months after Finding Nemo's that people seem to be giving Mike and Sulley a pass this time around.

[sunhuntin]

im with carlos... i would love to see ANY disney film on the big screen, whether it be snow white or wreck-it ralph. the only reason i went to the 3d re-releases was there was no other option here.
the ones done so far, i was either too young to really remember seeing on the big screen [BATB. i remember going as it was my parents anniversary. i dont remember any of the details except being astounded with the stained glass opening] or i missed their original run [pixar between bugs life and ratatouille]

every one ive seen so far leaves me blown away. i want to see more, but would prefer their original format.

[Kyle]

According to Boxofficemojo, Monsters Inc.'s 3D re-release finished its first week at #7 with only $6.5 million dollars.

Probably because this release is being made only three months after Finding Nemo's that people seem to be giving Mike and Sulley a pass this time around.

I doubt Nemo had anything to do with it. I just think its too soon to expect much from a movie that originally released in the 00's. If nemo didnt do amazing (considering what the original pulled in), monsters inc didn't really stand a chance. Although I would think the lack of competition in kid friendly animated movies right now would help Monsters inc at least a little.

[AladdinFan]

The only 3D re-release Disney movies I've seen are TLK and B&TB because they're are my childhood movies. Might see Monster Inc. because of the free ticket. Didn't saw Finding Nemo because it's one of my least favorite Pixar and it wasn't that long ago it was release. Plus if I wanted to see it I could have ask a friend to lend me his FN DVD.

Can't wait to see The Little Mermaid because I grew up watching that movie and one of my all time favorite. The 3D effect are going to be great I bet. I believe TLM will bring good amount of money and hopefully close to the 3D TLK numbers. Hopefully this happens so Disney knows that we want old Disney movies that are worth seeing in theaters. I think Disney and Pixar should not be re-releasing 3D movies after 2000 well except for Lilo & Stitch. Also re-releasing 3D that are worth seeing like Aladdin, Tarzan, HOND, and Hercules. There's no point of releasing a 3D version of Jungle Book, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians, etc. because it won't have anything to be excited for and just plain release them in 2D before their blu-rays comes out.

[sunhuntin]

i think treasure planet would be amazing in 3d, if it was done right.

[ajmrowland]

Also its close to christmas and movies released closer to christmas dont do great business. This is a childhood favorite do ill see it.