Examining Disney's Record-Breaking Box Office Year
2016 was a huge year for the Walt Disney Company in the film division. They were the first studio to ever cross $7 billion. Now it's time to examine what films helped them get there.
The Finest Hours
[/i] The true story film starring Chris Pine and Casey Affleck was not a box office success for Disney. Only making $52 Million off of a $80 million budget. The film about a daring sea rescue obviously didn't connect with audience.
[i]Result: Failure
Zootopia
Walt Disney Animation is on a roll. Zootopia continues this roll in a major way. Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman voice the characters Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. Zootopia went on a tear at the box office grossing 1.024 billion worldwide on just a budget of $150 million.
Result: Success
The Jungle Book
The vision of Jon Favreau and the impressive CGI and effects in The Jungle Book lead it to be a surprise blockbuster. The outstanding performances from Neel Sethi and Bill Murray made the film garner a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film brought in $966 million.
Result: Success
Alice Through The Looking Glass
The first film in this series gave Disney the confidence in their new live action experiment. The sequel underperformed at the box office and was hammered by critics. The film only made $299.5 million on a budget of $170 million.
Result: Failure
Captain America: Civil War
Captain America: Civil War pitted Captain America (Chris Evan) verse Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.). The film also introduced new characters such as Spider-Man (Tom Holland) and Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman). The film was a roaring success, and critics loved it too. Civil War brought in $1.132 billion.
Result: Success
Finding Dory
The sequel to the beloved Finding Nemo. Also Pixar's first and only film of the year was a rousing success. After years of begging for a sequel. Ellen DeGeneres got her sequel. The film did tremendous with the critics and at the box office. Finding Dory garnered $1.027 billion at the box office.
Result: Success
The BFG
The Steven Spielberg adaption of Roald Dahl's novel The BFG. The films promotional tag line was "From the human beans who created "ET" and the author of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Matilda" Obviously the tag line wasn't enough. Very odd to see Steven Spielberg and Disney not succeed on a project. Most critics said "The film fell short" and that could explain its average rating of 75% on Rotten Tomatoes. The BFG earned $178 million at the box office. The budget for The BFG was $140 million.
Result: Failure
Pete's Dragon
The live action remake of the 1977 classic. The film stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Oakes Fegley, and Robert Redford. The film was adored by critics. Although the film had to go up against Suicide Squad. Leading this film only to be a moderate success. Working off a $65 million budget. Pete's Dragon made $142.3 million at the box office.
Result: Moderate Success
Doctor Strange
Benedict Cumberbatch plays Sorcerer Supreme. Once again another installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Yet another Marvel film that was loved by critics. Doctor Strange grossed $653 million at the box office. The budget for the film was $165 million.
Result: Success
Moana
Disney Animation strikes again. Moana was a exciting musical journey. Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Jonson voice the characters of Moana and Maui. The music was composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Moana is still early in its release but it has made $284.5 million. Moana's budget was never announced..
Result: Success
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
The daring spinoff to the Star Wars franchise. The film is still early in its release. Although it has already made $357 million at the worldwide box office. Although the budget for the spectacular film was $200 million. Rogue One is expected to continue it's dominance at the box office.
Result: Success
Well all these films lead Disney to their historic box office year. I have a feeling that next year may be even bigger for Disney. Although that's another article for another time. Thanks for reading.
Follow Me On Twitter
@TripleZ_87
