Thread by @iamkoshiek, South African adults actually LOVE superhero and animated movies [Thread]https://twitter.com/Lebo

South African adults actually LOVE superhero and animated movies [Thread] https://twitter.com/Lebo_G/status/1299685227208597508

https://twitter.com/Lebo_G/status/1299685227208597508

7 of the top 10 most successful box office movies in SA last year were either animated or superhero flicks.

Highest earning box office genres in SA:
1. Animated movies
2. Superhero flicks
3. Action/ adventure

Lion King + Avengers grossed more than the next 9 movies... combined

In 2018: 6 of the top 10 most successful box office movies in SA were either animated or superhero flicks.

In 2017: top movies were Thor and Despicable Me - even outperforming Fate & Furious.

With over half of cinema goers adults (53%), it's not just kids watching these flicks.

But why are superhero flicks, animated flicks & reboots so popular? Let's introduce a rabbit hole. Here's a thread: https://twitter.com/iamkoshiek/status/1222081311185174528?s=20

https://twitter.com/iamkoshiek/status/1222081311185174528?s=20

Film financing is such a massive component it tends to shape content, distribution & even casting. Investment banks, private investors & hedge funds are all active players. Behind the scenes the deal structuring can get pretty complex.

Roughly 80% of movies never turn a profit

Viewing consumption patterns are also changing

Netflix is expected to spend roughly $17bn on content this year - up from last year's $15bn

Their push to create critically acclaimed movies (The Irishman, Uncut Gems) + promote independent film makers is creating heavy disruption.

The one issue Netflix does struggle with is content longevity. People burn through movies & series too fast.

Their work-around is to release weekly episodes to maintain content relevance (The Last Dance, for example) and increase the content shelf-life.

Content is king.

Why the fuck is cinema popcorn so expensive?

Movie studios can take upward of 80% of the ticket sales - which leaves the cinema with very little to survive off.

So they kill you on concessions.

The profit margin on popcorn? Well over 85%.

The work-around is for cinemas to raise the ticket prices.

... but that would drastically reduce attendance. In fact, movie ticket prices in the US (inflation adjusted) hasn't changed in years.

So instead you murder people on popcorn, 3D glasses, VIP seats, exclusive screenings

Cinema chains were in trouble long before COVID. Movie theatres have offered subscription services similar to Netflix. The bigger question is whether upcoming movies can do enough to keep people engaged & incentivise them to watch it on the big screen.

The romanticism of story telling has been stripped away by the monopoly juggernaut of a few studios fuelled solely by commercial motives & endless sequels.

The platform for independent film makers, creative story telling and unique perspectives might be what saves the industry.