It's a Wrap - 2014 Box Office A Mixed Bag

As expected, and as the 15 year trend continues, the '14 box office was dominated by high-impact, action films of fantasy and super heroes which reigned supreme.

'Transformers' takes #1 spot in 2014

At $10.4 billion, the U.S. box office was down 5% from '13's record-breaking total, which some believe may be an omen of things to come, as perhaps the world's most demanding moviegoers are tiring of the 'same old'.  In contract, the international cinema box office is booming, particularly China.


'Transformers: Age of Extinction' was the #1 global box office draw, amassing a take of over $1.9 billion which beat, to a pulp, the last Transformer movie, 'Dark of the Moon' (2011) by over $800 million.  The fourth film in the Transformer saga, Age of Extinction, was the only movie released in 2014 that grossed over $1 billion.


Other sequels did well. Captain America, Spider Man, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, How To Train Your Dragon 2, and Rio 2 faired pretty well.  However, two new entrants came in #2 and #3 after Transformers, 'Guardians of the Galaxy' ($773 million) and 'Maleficent' ($758 million) both now considered future franchise material.


In summary, Hollywood disappointed moviegoers in '14 all of which was capped by Sony's North Korean mess whose security hack is now being reported as an inside job.  It may be that tastes in movies are changing as evidenced by Universal's announcement that it experienced it most profitable year ever in 2014 without one box office bruiser and no release which cost more than $70 million. If this was planned by Universal or just circumstance makes no difference as it may be trend setting - but I don't think so.  2014 was just not the year for blockbusters. Universal will release 'Fast and Furious 7', 'Jurassic World', 'Minions', and 'Ted 2' in 2015, accompanied by a slew of Marvel and DC Comics based flix and a new 'Star Wars' for Disney.  It's back to the races in '15.


                                                Top 12 Global Box Office Earners 2014


Transformers: Age of Extinction - $1.9 billion (77% intl', 23% U.S.)
Guardians of the Galaxy - $773 million (57% intl', 43% U.S.)
Maleficent - $758 million (68% intl', 32% U.S.)
X-Men: Days of Future Past - $746 million (69% intl', 31% U.S.)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier - $714 million (64% intl', 36% U.S.)
The Amazing Spider - Man 2 - $709 million (71% intl', 29% U.S.)
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes - $708 million (71% intl', 29% U.S.)
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 - $670 million (54% intl', 46% U.S.)
Interstellar - $641 million (72% intl'. 28% U.S.)
How to Train Your Dragon 2 - $619 million (71% intl'. 29% U.S.)
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies - $573 (71% intl'. 29% U.S.)
Godzilla - $525 million (62% intl', 38% U.S.)


All 12 were fantasy or superhero movies with high levels of action and special effects. - that's what moviegoers want!

Best
Jim