This weekend was AstroBoy's opening weekend here in the US. It came in 6th, with a US$7 million take. I was glad to see it opened in 6th, since there's some pretty tough competition out there (Paranormal Activity, Saw VI, Where the Wild Things Are), but was disappointed to see that it was only a $7million take, especially since the movie budget was $65 million. I'll be interested to see how it does over the next couple weeks, and internationally. I'm hoping Imagi will at least break-even on it; if not, I'm thinking they'll scrap Gatchaman altogether. On the plus side, AstroBoy did better than "Amelia", the biopic about Amelia Earnhart, which stunningly opened in 11th. if you're interested, you can view this weekend's results here: US Box Office Results, 23-25 October

Hi all! Astro Boy opened in Japan two weeks ago. It was #10 on its opening weekend, and dropped off the "Top Ten" list in its second week. James

Was that this weekend? I have been so busy, I had not even noticed. I really should get out to see it even if it is only to support Imagi. Well all I can hope is that it stays in my local theater for next weekend.

Ouch... it isn't looking too good for Imagi financially. OTOH, seeing as it is an animated film, it may make up for lackluster box office results with good DVD sales.

Originally posted by Hinotori I'll be interested to see how it does over the next couple weeks, and internationally. I'm hoping Imagi will at least break-even on it; if not, I'm thinking they'll scrap Gatchaman altogether.

Fingers crossed that they will not!

Ooh, I was hoping for a better result than this... I guess we'll have to wait and see how it all plays out with DVD sales and what-not.

Hi all! After a month in theaters, poor Astro Boy's totals haven't improved a whole lot. According to Box Office Mojo, the film has rung up $18,621,561 in domestic ticket sales since its release on October 23rd. With a production budget of $65,000,000, that's a fairly substantial loss. Of course, the total box office will increase when international ticket sales are added in (That information wasn't available on Box Office Mojo), but I doubt that it will make up for the whole $46,378,439 loss. By all accounts I've found, its best showing has been in China, where it was the #1 film on its opening weekend, grossing roughly $5,850,000, which beat out the previous record for highest opening weekend gross for an animated film in China (Just under $4,400,000, grossed by Ice Age 3). So, how many people here have seen Astro Boy, and what did you think about it? James

I went to see it. And walked out feeling .... "Is that all?" It could have been longer, not that I know the original so I do not know what more could have been added .... I was just surprised that the film was so short. I guess I am used to much longer films these days. Ones that drag on, never seeming to get anywhere. I did also feel like I would like to watch it a second time though, to get the subtle nuances that I missed the first time. So I might either rent the DVD when it eventually comes out, or go out and buy myself a copy to support IMAGI. Did you go and see it James? What was/were your thoughts?

We didn't see it, but then, we rarely see movies these days in the theatre, as it is so expensive. We will probably get it through Netflix when it comes out on DVD. I know I'm not the only person who is more selective about which movies they see in the theatre. Astroboy could make up for poor box office results with good DVD sales.

The good news is that it hasn't been completely released yet. There are still a bunch of countries that have a 2010 release date, including a lot of Europe. Not to mention that it could pick up here, in Oz, when schools close for summer... Fingers crossed!

I've seen promo's for it here in Ozzie!!! Thats a plus I think...

Hi all!

Did you go and see it James? What was/were your thoughts?

No, I haven't seen the film yet, thanks in no small part to a temporary schedule change at work that has put Heather's and my weekends on conflicting patterns. We do intend to see it, but by the time our schedules mesh again, the film will probably be in the local last-run bargain theater ($3.00 a ticket -- can't beat that!).

The good news is that it hasn't been completely released yet. There are still a bunch of countries that have a 2010 release date, including a lot of Europe.

Adding the box office from those countries will probably boost the film to the point where it at least breaks even. But, unfair though it may be, the only total that matters in determining whether the film is considered a success or a failure is the total box office from its domestic release. While the film may make its money back when international box office receipts are added in, and it may even make some money following its DVD release, Astro Boy's poor performance in U.S. theaters has labeled it a failure. James

Hi all!

We do intend to see it, but by the time our schedules mesh again, the film will probably be in the local last-run bargain theater

Speaking of which, I just checked that theater's listings, and Astro Boy is already there. Out one month and already at the bargain theater is not a good sign for any movie. James

I went out with Diinzumo-san to see it a couple of weeks back - my reaction? Was nice to watch - good visuals - but found the storyline way too simplistic (black/white) to enjoy and spent the movie wondering when the situation would ramp up and then get to resolution. No emotional stress at all... maybe if I were watching it at the same age I saw the original, then the story would have been fine. However, anyone over the age of five won't find much depth to characters or story... though the visuals were well constructed. If all I wanted were visuals a la YouTube, then this is fine. But as a story? Didn't give me any reason to go back or hope for a sequel. Too many cliches.

I liked Astro Boy. Although I never saw the original anime or read the manga.

Hi all! Speaking of poor Astro Boy, I just took a look at the Box Office Mojo site to see what kind of totals the film brought in. Its domestic total was $19,551,067, with an additonal $3,469,471 from foreign ticket sales, bringing it up to a paltry $23,020,538. With a production budget of $65,000,000, that leaves the film (And Imagi) $41,979,462 in the hole. Some of that deficit was offset by licensing deals made for the movie, and a bit more will eliminated by the upcoming home video release (Coming March 16th), but I'm sure that will only take a small bite out of it. In a word: Ouch. James

All I can say is that I regret they chose to go with Astroboy before Gatchaman....

That's a very big OUCH, James! Green, ITA with your comment ... at least from my point of view!

Sadly enough, I haven't seen this movie yet, but plan to rent it when it comes out on Bluray.

It hasn't done well. James posted an article that said that it's only made $23 million.