We may have a new opening weekend champ in Harry Potter. [Archive]

The Clown Prince

11-04-2001, 07:32 PM

The Lost World opened up to a $72 million dollar weekend and is the current best opening weekend champ. As much as I like the Jurassic Park franchise, I hate to admit that with how big Harry Potter is, I think that HP might beat TLW. If a kids movie like Monsters Inc. can make $64 million in it's opening weekend, then I think Harry Potter might go all the way. I predicted this earlier this year and I still stand by my prediction. Anyone else think Harry Potter will become the new best opening weekend champ?

The Clown Prince

Bird Boy

11-04-2001, 07:56 PM

yeah, I bet that movie will kick some butt. I'm definitely going to see it oppenin weekend! :)

-BB

Jowy Blight

11-04-2001, 08:50 PM

Most likely, but I hope it does well, I'm going to see the movie after all. I just hope we don't turn this into another Pokemon.

Clayface

11-04-2001, 08:53 PM

*Doing his best David Spade impression:*
"Hmm, yeah. Harry Potter. I liked it better...when it was called Books of Magic!" The whole concept is a complete rip-off! Ticks me off every time I see it.

TuffyCatt

11-04-2001, 09:33 PM

Yeah, Harry Potter is gonna make some serious money. I have never seen any movie theaters begin selling movie tickets 2 weeks in advance, but its happening with Harry Potter. I really hope the movie is good, because I like the books so much. If Chris Columbus did it right, I think the movie has potential to be actually a good movie, and not just a money-maker. I really don't like all the extra mechandising, though. Being someone who likes the books so much, Harry Potter action figures just don't seem right....

Maxie Zeus

11-04-2001, 09:35 PM

I don't know if I'll see it opening weekend, but if I do it will be the latest possible showing. I WILL see LotR opening day, though :D

Yeah, I think HP has a better than even chance of breaking TLW's record.

Samhaine

11-04-2001, 09:53 PM

Originally posted by The ClownPrince
The Lost World opened up to a $72 million dollar weekend and is the current best opening weekend champ.
I thought X-Men brought in $75 million on it's opening weekend. Am I wrong, or are you talking about just this year.

Clayface said
"Hmm, yeah. Harry Potter. I liked it better...when it was called Books of Magic!" The whole concept is a complete rip-off! Ticks me off every time I see it.
I used to have the same feelings you do. Then Gaiman said that he saw the similarities, but didn't see it as a rip-off. Yes, the two have similarities (heck, Hunter currently has Tim Hunter in a school for magic, so it works both ways), however, they are two separate mediums. Besides, what are the chances the writer even knew about The Books of Magic? Comics aren't that popular.

Clayface

11-04-2001, 10:12 PM

Originally posted by bloodone
I used to have the same feelings you do. Then Gaiman said that he saw the similarities, but didn't see it as a rip-off.

Well, of course he's not going to accuse the author of anything - he's got no proof that its a rip off, and Gaiman hates to stir up trouble.

He also says he kicks himself every day for not thinking to commercialize Hunter - he could have made a lot of money by beating Potter to the punch.

Yes, the two have similarities (heck, Hunter currently has Tim Hunter in a school for magic, so it works both ways), however, they are two separate mediums. Besides, what are the chances the writer even knew about The Books of Magic? Comics aren't that popular.

I don't think the chances are as remote as you'd think. We are talking about a children's author here - there's a good possibility that the author could have heard of Books of Magic. And comics aren't as unpopular as you might think - among both children and adults.

True, there's no proof that Potter is a direct rip off of Hunter, but I really find it hard to believe that someone else just happened to come up with a character that is so similar to a lesser known one created by a different, very prominent author. Just seems far to convenient to me.

Samhaine

11-04-2001, 10:24 PM

Originally posted by Clayface

True, there's no proof that Potter is a direct rip off of Hunter, but I really find it hard to believe that someone else just happened to come up with a character that is so similar to a lesser known one created by a different, very prominent author. Just seems far to convenient to me.
I just want to bring up the character of Spellbinder from Batman Beyond. It is similar to Spellbinder from Batman the comic (both incarnations), even having the same powers, however Dini and Timm have said that they created the character before even knowing about the comic version.

So, there is an example of this happening.

Clayface

11-04-2001, 10:41 PM

Originally posted by bloodone

I just want to bring up the character of Spellbinder from Batman Beyond. It is similar to Spellbinder from Batman the comic (both incarnations), even having the same powers, however Dini and Timm have said that they created the character before even knowing about the comic version.

So, there is an example of this happening.

Maybe, maybe not. You know, I've never really bought that story.

Granted, Dini and Timm probably didn't purposefully copy Spellbinder. But htat doesn't mean that the idea wasn't spawned from those comics. I've heard many authors talk about this sort of thing - having read something as a child, forgotten about it, and then reused the idea in their own work thinking it was completely original.

Who's to say that one or both of them hadn't read the Batman Spellbinder comic and just didn't remember it?

The Clown Prince

11-05-2001, 03:10 AM

I thought X-Men brought in $75 million on it's opening weekend. Am I wrong, or are you talking about just this year.

X-Men had an opening weekend of $53 or $54 million. The Lost World holds the BEST opening weekend of all time with a 3 day take Friday, Saturday, Sunday of $72 million. Since it opened Memorial Day weekend, combine that with it's Wednesday and Thursday dates and it made just over $90 million.

Planet of the Apes came awfully close this year to breaking the record with a $68.533 million dollar opening. The Mummy Returns made $68.139 it's opening weekend. What did The Phantom Menace pull in for it's 3 day take? $64.811 million. It will be interesting to see when Monsters Inc. numbers are all officially in, it just might have beat TPM.

So, with a movie like Planet of the Apes doing that well it's opening weekend, I think Harry Potter will smash the 4 1/2 year record of TLW. Think about, not only do kids badly want to see this, but adults are crazy about Harry Potter too. Can't wait to see the numbers.

The Clown Prince

Bird Boy

11-05-2001, 09:12 AM

I have a feeling, that last week was the biggest week for Monsters Inc..I mean, it'll probably still be #1, but more than likely, it won't make as much as it did. And I can't help but think that the Episode 2 trailer had somthing to do with the intake..

-BB

James Harvey

11-05-2001, 10:56 AM

I predict next weekend MONSTERS INC. will pocket about $40 mill, then it will fall down to about $25 against POTTER. MONSTER SINC should take in around $200 mill at then end. I predict that POTTER will take in at least $350 - 400 million easy.

Coolguy74

11-05-2001, 11:39 AM

Can Harry Potter really make over 300 million domestically? Harry will start to drop 50% by the 2nd-3rd week. Also Harry Potter is looking to become the next Pokemon, as WB plans on releasing up to 7-10 movies.

Samhaine

11-05-2001, 12:55 PM

Originally posted by Coolguy74
Also Harry Potter is looking to become the next Pokemon, as WB plans on releasing up to 7-10 movies.
I have a friend that reads the books, and she told me that there were at least 7 books planned. Therefor, 7 movies (while feeling like overkill to people who don't like the property) isn't too much of a stretch. They are already filming the second movie, I hear.

James Harvey

11-05-2001, 01:49 PM

The 2nd one is currently filming. They have already filmed the flying cars sequence and are already underway to have the movie completed well ahead of schedule.

Maxie Zeus

11-05-2001, 02:19 PM

Originally posted by Coolguy74
Can Harry Potter really make over 300 million domestically? Harry will start to drop 50% by the 2nd-3rd week. Also Harry Potter is looking to become the next Pokemon, as WB plans on releasing up to 7-10 movies.

The key to a huge gross is repeat business. That's why "Titanic," which didn't have a mega-opening, scored such a huge gross. Given how crazy kids are for Harry Potter, as long as the movie appeals to them there is an excellent chance that it will score a long run.

Jowy Blight

11-05-2001, 02:39 PM

Also Harry Potter is looking to become the next Pokemon, as WB plans on releasing up to 7-10 movies.

7-10 MOVIES!? Talk about overkill, I would think that 3 movies would be enough before it got stale.

Maxie Zeus

11-05-2001, 02:47 PM

Originally posted by Jowy Blight

7-10 MOVIES!? Talk about overkill, I would think that 3 movies would be enough before it got stale.

*cough*James Bond*cough*

Bird Boy

11-05-2001, 03:41 PM

They said they wanted to make 7 movies. But, that'd be movie after movie, non-stop, because the actors would just get too old.

I doubt harry potter will be as popular when he turns 16....why? cuz he'll be getting way older than most of his fans, and it won't be the same.

Anyway, the director said they were doing at least 3..the 3rd probably being directed by Spielberg. movie 7 won't happen for a LONG time...why? several reasons

1) JK Rowling is only on book 5 right now (and that's still being written)
&
2) The actors and directors don't want to do it all in one foul swoop...they'll have a new Potter and crew by Movie 4 I bet.

-BB

Samhaine

11-05-2001, 03:53 PM

Originally posted by Dick Grayson
The 2nd one is currently filming. They have already filmed the flying cars sequence and are already underway to have the movie completed well ahead of schedule.
That's so they can go straight to the third. I think the goal is to get the first 3 done before the kid hits puberty.

JustJack

11-05-2001, 05:03 PM

With as many fans as Harry Potter has?! I mean..that's from ages 2 - 92 years old? Parents, grandparents & children alike? I cant explain what is so dang appealing about Harry Potter. anyway, lets just say I dont know anyone who isnt planning on going to see the movie! ^_^

My Estimation: Harry Potter will beat the Lost World's record by...oh...my estimate...$78 Million!!

Hey...does anyone own any of the toys yet? They dont look like great quality..but hey...it's still Potter!

RockItShipper

11-05-2001, 06:26 PM

I have the 3-headed dog figure, the final scene lego set... And it figures, the one human figure I'm actually looking for is "limited availbility". Stupid Mattel... Oh yeah, anyone seen the Snape figure? He looks pregnant :D

Elven Moon

11-05-2001, 06:35 PM

I love Harry Potter (as you can probably tell from my signature :))! I already have my advance ticket for the first showing at 10:30am on November 16th, and the soundtrack has been in my CD player since the day after it came out. I can hardly wait! *jumps up and down with glee*

Clayface

11-05-2001, 07:00 PM

Originally posted by JustJack
anyway, lets just say I dont know anyone who isnt planning on going to see the movie! ^_^

Sure you do! You know me! ;)

JustJack

11-05-2001, 07:30 PM

Originally posted by Clayface

Sure you do! You know me! ;)

*GASP*
Dude! But..it's crazy English kids running around, saying crazy dialog, with a weird story line! Plus, everyone dies by the 4th book! (wait...no they dont...well..some do..). Sounds like a good time to me!

Samhaine

11-05-2001, 08:33 PM

Originally posted by JustJack
Hey...does anyone own any of the toys yet? They dont look like great quality..but hey...it's still Potter!
There's a wizard that looks exactly like the Gandalf figure released a few years ago. The hat is the same, just repainted.

The Mad Hatter

11-05-2001, 08:37 PM

From what I've heard, the producers are trying to circumvent the "aging" problem by filming the next two movies back-to-back. Not a common move, but it seems like a safe investment.

And Rowling will only be writing seven books... when Harry graduates, that's it.

Er, not that I've read the books, that would be beneath my M.A. in English. And I certainly don't care about the next way You-Know-Who will torment Harry at all, neither how he deals with falling in love. Ahem. :rolleyes:

Maxie Zeus

11-05-2001, 09:35 PM

I read the first one and enjoyed it. I haven't gone out of my way to get the others, but I certainly don't look down my nose at them.

Clayface

11-05-2001, 10:03 PM

Originally posted by JustJack

*GASP*
Dude! But..it's crazy English kids running around, saying crazy dialog, with a weird story line! Plus, everyone dies by the 4th book! (wait...no they dont...well..some do..). Sounds like a good time to me!

Uhh, yeah. Like I said, I liked it better when it was called Book of Magic. ;)

RockItShipper

11-05-2001, 11:03 PM

Originally posted by bloodone

There's a wizard that looks exactly like the Gandalf figure released a few years ago. The hat is the same, just repainted.

I'm guessing that's Albus Dumbledore. Didn't know Mattel had a LOTR line, but I suppose it beats the repainted Green Arrow(Robin Hood) and Gammorrean Guard(Friar Tuck) Kenner put out for the Prince of Thieves line 10 years ago.

But none of them were chase figures. Oh well, guess I'll have to dedicate my HP movie special smut-fic to Mattel. :D I had to recreate the mechanics of it with the Lego Quirrell while I was writing it. :mad: Oh yeah, and where's Nearly Headless Nick? :mad: