Hollywood’s Sequel Factory Churns Out Worrisome Duds This Summer

More than a month into the summer movie season, one thing has become clear: Many of Hollywood’s sequels, reboots and reimaginings are falling flat.

Some films have missed analysts’ forecasts by tens of millions of dollars. They include last weekend’s new releases — Walt Disney Co.’s “Dark Phoenix” and Universal Pictures’ “The Secret Life of Pets 2.” Though Paramount Pictures’ “Rocketman” topped studio forecasts, the Elton John biopic came in below outside estimates. Warner Bros.’ “Godzilla” sequel also missed industry projections.

So far, the shortfall hasn’t claimed any of the summer’s biggest tentpole films. And Eric Wold, an analyst at B. Riley FBR, still expects higher ticket sales through the balance of the year to deliver a record 2019. But the results also show that fans are getting pickier about the glut of sequels that Hollywood studios have force-fed movie moviegoers for years.

“Audiences are savvy enough to wait for the home market, especially with so many great streaming choices this summer,” said Jeff Bock, an analyst with Exhibitor Relations Co. “That’s something Hollywood will be contending against for years to come.”

Sequels and reboots need to be more compelling to draw in fans, Bock said. “Many of them aren’t upping the ante or raising the stakes significantly enough,” he said.

Hollywood studios have turned movie serials, now dubbed franchises, into an art form — with film series built around comic-book figures, action-hero revivals and classic cartoon characters. And no one has been more successful at this task than Disney.

Former ESPN and NBC Sideline Reporter Michele Tafoya Triumphs in GOP Senate Primary

Breaking: Inflation Rate Drops, Defying Economist Projections

Blakeman cuts into Hochul’s New York governor’s race lead in new poll, as likely voters give DSA judgment

Spanberger’s rough rural reception draws Hillary Clinton parallels

‘No better group’: Veteran says special ops should get same concealed carry permit as retired cops

Ex-New Jersey mayor, her husband charged for using fake ballot signatures after she pleaded guilty to DUI

Kansas Democratic governor nominee suggested Jesus could have been transgender

Heroic Florida K-9 returns to sheriff’s office days after being shot protecting 3 deputies, losing leg

STATE OF PLAY: Highly watched Hong race remains too close to call as progressives notch key primary wins

Five teen friends killed after vehicle plunges down Colorado cliff, leaving community shattered

Ilhan Omar on track for fifth term as Minnesota voters maintain far-left streak

Schumer dealt another blow as progressive insurgency scores win in key Senate battle

Trump-backed Mike Lindell falls to Lisa Demuth in Minnesota governor primary

Minnesota House speaker Lisa Demuth wins GOP gubernatorial primary to replace Tim Walz in November

4-year-old dies after suffering electrical shock from clothes dryer inside Kansas home

Second Place

But even Disney’s biggest hits aren’t doing quite as well as predicted. The Marvel finale “Avengers: Endgame” racked up $2.73 billion in box-office sales globally and looked likely to dethrone “Avatar” as the top-grossing movie of all time. Now — following a drop-off in attendance — it will have to settle for second place.

“It looks like ‘Avatar’ will hold onto the title,” Bock said, “unless Disney snaps their fingers and springs an alternate ending re-release in the near future.”

Bock cites a number of reasons for all of the misses. No one cared about the humans in “Godzilla,” he said, and “The Secret Life of Pets 2” didn’t “bring anything new to the table.”

Missing estimates in a debut weekend doesn’t necessarily mean a feature won’t be profitable. Movies like “Rocketman,” with smaller production budgets, are expected to make money.

‘Dark Phoenix’

“Dark Phoenix,” an X-Men film, is emerging as one of the summer’s bigger duds. It suffered from production and story problems, along with muddled marketing that left audiences confused by the trailer, Bock said. The film cost about $200 million to make, plus tens of millions more to market, suggesting it will have trouble turning a profit.