and Carmike, either didn’t return calls or declined to discuss the rental splits.
ROLANDO RODRIGUEZ BLOOMBERG BIO MOVIE
movie chains, Regal Entertainment Group, AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc., Cinemark Holdings Inc. Riley’s Wold.ĭisney declined to comment on the splits. With the biggest movies, called tentpoles, such as “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2,” studios can keep 60 percent or more, according to B. These arrangements tend to involve a sliding scale, so the more successful a film, the greater the share the theater chains have to pay the studio. “We will measure success by the total run, when we are months and months from December, looking back on what we expect to be a fantastic film experience,” Dave Hollis, executive vice president for theatrical distribution for Walt Disney Studios, said in an e-mail. Some tracking services used by the studios are projecting $175 million-plus. On average, the distributor takes just over half of ticket-sale revenue from the largest theater chains, which keep the rest. The agreements vary by studio and exhibitor, and aren’t disclosed for individual films. That money is split with theaters, though not evenly. “The Force Awakens” could generate records with a $215 million opening weekend and a record $762 million in total in North America, according to. “This is bigger than anything I’ve seen and I’ve seen a lot, including Harry Potter,”’ said Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn, who helped oversee that franchise at rival Warner Bros. Advance sales overall are running three times that of those sold for the latest “Hunger Games” installment, Rodriguez said.
ROLANDO RODRIGUEZ BLOOMBERG BIO FULL
Due to the demand for “Star Wars,” Marcus is collecting the full ticket price. Such bulk purchases, often by companies treating their employees, typically sell at a 20 percent discount. Marcus is running a marathon of all the earlier “Star Wars” movies, and doing a big business in group ticket sales, Rodriguez said. There will also be cocktails like the “Tattoine Sunrise Mimosa” for $5 and “Yoda-rita,” an under-$10 twist on the Margarita using Sauza Blue Reposado tequila.
And dine-in theater chain Studio Movie Grill is introducing a themed brunch - with cinnamon-flavored “Princess Leia Buns” for $6.95 - to cater to early risers catching the film at its 23 locations. It will screen the picture around-the-clock on opening weekend, and concession stands will feature souvenir popcorn containers emblazoned with “Star Wars” characters, said Rolando Rodriguez, chief executive officer of Marcus’s theater unit.Īt Carmike Cinemas Inc., the country’s fourth-largest chain, $40 will buy a “Star Wars” fan a T-shirt, unlimited popcorn and refills in collectible drink cups.
will have pop-ups in its 54 theaters, a first for the company. Araca will be create pop-up “Star Wars” shops and items including T-shirts, bags and caps.
“They can do what they can to boost profitability around it by driving concessions sales.”ĭisney, which licenses the swag, and the movie houses are borrowing from Broadway, working with New York-based Araca Group, which provides merchandise for live theatrical shows. The exhibitors “have to find a way to make this work for them,” Wold said. In addition to moves like round-the-clock screenings, group sales and premium showings in 3-D and Imax formats, exhibitors are getting creative with concession sales and adding merchandise to the mix as they seek to enhance profit margins. That means cinema chains are under pressure to extract more money from patrons. “Well north of 60 percent,” estimates Eric Wold, an analyst with B. But because of the way Hollywood structures agreements, exhibitors will pay a higher share of ticket revenue to distributor Walt Disney Co. 18, is forecast by to be the top-grossing movie of all time. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which opens Dec. Theater chains, seeking to capture a bigger share of “The Force Awakens” bonanza, are creating pop-up stores to sell posters and key chains - and pouring “Yoda-rita” cocktails. People headed to cinemas to see the new “Star Wars” next month will encounter more than the usual concession-stand popcorn and Raisinets.