dontdiedontkillanyon
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6. Except Johnny Depp
In many ways, the two Pirates of the Caribbean films are the exception among the top nine films here: they're where the producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, is the name above the titles rather than directors Gore Verbinski or Rob Marshall, and they're films more closely associated with the studio system than the rest. The magic ingredient is Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow, a character that the entire world adored first time around and the main reason that everyone forked over for the sequel. Heck, even after the relatively disappointing Dead Man's Chest, most of them forked out again to see him in At World's End - and even after that, they forked out for On Stranger Tides to see him again. Sometimes one brilliant character is enough; see also The Dark Knight's Joker or Avengers' Tony Stark (arguably another exception to the no-A-listers rule).
7. Unless James Cameron Is Directing, Make A Sequel
With three exceptions, all of these films are sequels of one sort or another (we're counting Episode I's prequel and Avengers' group-quel) - as is the entire top 20 apart from the first Potter and The Lion King. But the pattern of sequels are interesting: Lord of the Rings started strong with its first instalment and did steadily better. Pirates started lower, shot up to number 4, faded to number 12 with the third effort and rallied for 6th place for On Stranger Tides. And Nolan's Batman Begins managed only 135 on the list, its reputation steadily growing (and Heath Ledger's sad death contributing) before its sequel went nuclear. If there's a moral to that, it's that DVD releases will build your market, but a disappointing aftertaste can erode your future success. The three exceptions are interesting: two are originals directed by James Cameron, a law unto himself in the billion-dollar club, and the other is Alice In Wonderland 3D, a film whose success can chiefly be attributed to the magical combination of Johnny Depp, Tim Burton, a recognisable property and the 3D bump.
8. You Need A Heck Of A Trailer
Much as we all tend to despise studio marketers most of the time (sorry guys, but we do), on these films you see talented marketing teams working at full tilt - particularly with the trailer. Each of these films had at least one stand-out, must-see shot in the trailer (the truck flip! The wheel fight! The boat standing up on end! Hogwarts exploding! Iron Man bringing the party to us!) or a quick montage of amazing shots. These snippets made it clear that this is a film that must be seen on the big screen, at least for the first time or two, whether due to groundbreaking effects / stunning visuals / old-school action / gorgeous stars. That's how these films recall the glory days of Hollywood's Golden Age in the pre-TV era and draw in the massive crowds.
9. Paint Your Story In Broad Strokes - Or Twist It Like Spaghetti
Most of the criticisms directed at Avatar (and before it, Titanic) centred on the plot and dialogue, which was decried as "unoriginal" and "corny" - but that didn't stop cinemagoers from turning out in massive numbers. The same could be said of Lord of the Rings - or, heck, all the way back to Gone With The Wind and Snow White - so criticism be damned! Broad's the favoured option for would-be billionaire movies. But The Dark Knight, Deathly Hallows, Avengers and Pirates of the Caribbean take an alternative approach, layering betrayals, twists and multiple characters into something that may not make much sense but certainly keeps the pace going. It helps to be funny, so remember to pepper your script with levity and/or have Hulk sucker punch someone.
10. Go 3D - Maybe
Seven of these movies have joined the billion-dollar club in the last three years, and all of those are 3D movies. Coincidence? We think not. The "bump" on 3D ticket prices is an invaluable tool in pushing your grosses through the roof, and can get you to the billion mark faster than ever before - Deathly Hallows Part 2, Avatar and Avengers all managed the feat in just 19 days. The bump can also insulate you against bad reviews and weak word of mouth - and if you're out in IMAX too, as many of these films were, that's yet another way to bump tickets upwards. But a word of warning: there is anecdotal evidence that 3D is decreasing in popularity as more and more films with bad 3D come out. If Alice In Wonderland were released now, we're not sure it would do as well. Do 3D well, and you'll benefit. Do 3D shabbily, and we're not sure it will continue to give you a guaranteed boost.
http://www.empireonline.com/features/how-to-make-a-billion-dollars-at-the-box-office/
In many ways, the two Pirates of the Caribbean films are the exception among the top nine films here: they're where the producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, is the name above the titles rather than directors Gore Verbinski or Rob Marshall, and they're films more closely associated with the studio system than the rest. The magic ingredient is Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow, a character that the entire world adored first time around and the main reason that everyone forked over for the sequel. Heck, even after the relatively disappointing Dead Man's Chest, most of them forked out again to see him in At World's End - and even after that, they forked out for On Stranger Tides to see him again. Sometimes one brilliant character is enough; see also The Dark Knight's Joker or Avengers' Tony Stark (arguably another exception to the no-A-listers rule).
7. Unless James Cameron Is Directing, Make A Sequel
With three exceptions, all of these films are sequels of one sort or another (we're counting Episode I's prequel and Avengers' group-quel) - as is the entire top 20 apart from the first Potter and The Lion King. But the pattern of sequels are interesting: Lord of the Rings started strong with its first instalment and did steadily better. Pirates started lower, shot up to number 4, faded to number 12 with the third effort and rallied for 6th place for On Stranger Tides. And Nolan's Batman Begins managed only 135 on the list, its reputation steadily growing (and Heath Ledger's sad death contributing) before its sequel went nuclear. If there's a moral to that, it's that DVD releases will build your market, but a disappointing aftertaste can erode your future success. The three exceptions are interesting: two are originals directed by James Cameron, a law unto himself in the billion-dollar club, and the other is Alice In Wonderland 3D, a film whose success can chiefly be attributed to the magical combination of Johnny Depp, Tim Burton, a recognisable property and the 3D bump.
8. You Need A Heck Of A Trailer
Much as we all tend to despise studio marketers most of the time (sorry guys, but we do), on these films you see talented marketing teams working at full tilt - particularly with the trailer. Each of these films had at least one stand-out, must-see shot in the trailer (the truck flip! The wheel fight! The boat standing up on end! Hogwarts exploding! Iron Man bringing the party to us!) or a quick montage of amazing shots. These snippets made it clear that this is a film that must be seen on the big screen, at least for the first time or two, whether due to groundbreaking effects / stunning visuals / old-school action / gorgeous stars. That's how these films recall the glory days of Hollywood's Golden Age in the pre-TV era and draw in the massive crowds.
9. Paint Your Story In Broad Strokes - Or Twist It Like Spaghetti
Most of the criticisms directed at Avatar (and before it, Titanic) centred on the plot and dialogue, which was decried as "unoriginal" and "corny" - but that didn't stop cinemagoers from turning out in massive numbers. The same could be said of Lord of the Rings - or, heck, all the way back to Gone With The Wind and Snow White - so criticism be damned! Broad's the favoured option for would-be billionaire movies. But The Dark Knight, Deathly Hallows, Avengers and Pirates of the Caribbean take an alternative approach, layering betrayals, twists and multiple characters into something that may not make much sense but certainly keeps the pace going. It helps to be funny, so remember to pepper your script with levity and/or have Hulk sucker punch someone.
10. Go 3D - Maybe
Seven of these movies have joined the billion-dollar club in the last three years, and all of those are 3D movies. Coincidence? We think not. The "bump" on 3D ticket prices is an invaluable tool in pushing your grosses through the roof, and can get you to the billion mark faster than ever before - Deathly Hallows Part 2, Avatar and Avengers all managed the feat in just 19 days. The bump can also insulate you against bad reviews and weak word of mouth - and if you're out in IMAX too, as many of these films were, that's yet another way to bump tickets upwards. But a word of warning: there is anecdotal evidence that 3D is decreasing in popularity as more and more films with bad 3D come out. If Alice In Wonderland were released now, we're not sure it would do as well. Do 3D well, and you'll benefit. Do 3D shabbily, and we're not sure it will continue to give you a guaranteed boost.
http://www.empireonline.com/features/how-to-make-a-billion-dollars-at-the-box-office/
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