Title: “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Begins Strong Despite Pandemic Setbacks”
Subtitle: Hunger Games Prequel Earns $6 Million during Thursday Night Showings
Thursday night marked the highly anticipated release of “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” the prequel to the wildly popular Hunger Games franchise. Despite the challenges of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, early figures show a promising start for the film at the box office.
During its Thursday night showings, which began at 3PM, “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” managed to earn an impressive $5.75 million to $6 million. Although this falls slightly behind Marvel Studios’ “The Marvels,” which grossed $6.6 million on the same night, what sets “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” apart is its significantly lower production cost. With a budget of only $100 million compared to “The Marvels'” $200 million, the film is already poised for financial success.
Industry analysts predict that the prequel will continue to gather momentum throughout its opening weekend. It is projected to earn over $50 million domestically and more than $100 million worldwide. These figures, coupled with its relatively low cost, make “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” a promising investment for Lionsgate, the production company behind the film.
One of the significant changes in this prequel is the absence of franchise star Jennifer Lawrence. Instead, Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth take the lead roles, bringing a fresh perspective to the beloved Hunger Games universe. Early comparisons to other films’ Thursday night showings such as “Hobbs & Shaw” and “Creed III” highlight the potential for success within this lucrative franchise.
However, Lionsgate faces a unique challenge in attracting the Hunger Games fanbase to the prequel. Unlike the broad appeal of the Harry Potter series, the Mockingjay 2 audience skewed towards 60% female viewers, compared to Fantastic Beasts’ 55%. Generating interest among fans will be crucial for the studio, especially considering that the new novel by Suzanne Collins was released during the pandemic, resulting in limited bookstore sales.
Initial reviews for “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” have been mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently has a 64% fresh rating. Critics are divided on whether it lives up to the standard set by its predecessors. However, early social media reactions indicate a blend of positive and nostalgic sentiments from fans of the franchise, which may bode well for its overall success.
In addition to “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” other films have also begun making their mark at the box office. The animated film “Trolls Band Together” is projected to earn in the high $20 million to low $30 million range. Meanwhile, Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving horror film and Taika Waititi’s comedy “Next Goal Wins” are expected to have modest openings.
As theaters slowly regain their footing amidst the pandemic, the success of “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” offers a glimmer of hope for the entertainment industry. Audiences’ willingness to return to cinemas and immerse themselves in beloved franchises signals a promising future for the world of cinema, even in the face of adversity.
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