So far this year LionsGate films has released 22 films that brought in a total of $367 million. About a third of that was taken in by “Insurgent” from the Divergent series, which made $130 million. That was one home run and 24 singles or doubles.
Now they wait for “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2” to make their biggest money of the year.
But most of LionsGate is low level stuff hoping to break out. “Sicario” is one of those, with $45 million. But most of the balance of their releases were disasters like Johnny Depp in “Mortdecai” ($7.7 million) or Keanu Reeves in Eli Roth’s “Knock Knock” which made $36,000. Yes, you read that correctly.
“HGMJ2” looks a little wobbly going in. Reviews were divided. It’s unclear where anyone other than hardcore “Hunger Games” fans still care about the series. The last two movies were divided out of one book, and my teen sources are a little apathetic this time around. There was none of that “got to see it” action going on.
LionsGate has lived on the “Twilight” series and “The Hunger Games” movies, mining the YA market. They’re hoping for more of that with “Insurgent” — but so far that seems like weak tea unless the next one– maybe it’s called “Detergent”– catches on big time. Kids may be burned out on dystopia.
So let the Games begin.
