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TREND INSIGHTS

2015 Movie Marketing Recap and 2016 Preview

Feb. 2016 2015: A RECORD YEAR FOR HOLLYWOOD BREAKING $11 BILLION IN BOX OFFICE DOMESTICALLY

The U.S. Box Office: After a somewhat lackluster 2014, Hollywood bounced back with vengeance in 2015, recording a record high $11.122 billion in domestic ticket sales (U.S. and Canada). This represents an increase of 7.4% from 2014 and exceeding Hollywood’s previous high water mark of $10.923 billion in 2013.

The box office success were aided by a number of popular movie franchises, reboots and sequels. The three top grossing movies of the year were either reboots or sequels of popular movie franchises, : The Force Awakens, Jurassic World and Avengers: Age of Ultron. Collectively, these three films alone totaled $1.85 billion in box office receipts domestically. Other film franchises that ranked in the Top 12 in box office were such familiar titles as; Furious 7, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2, Cinderella, Spectre (James Bond), Mission Impossible-Rogue Nation and .

Domestic Box Office: By Year (in Millions)

$ 12M +7.4% +0.8% +6.5% +10% -0.3% $11,122.60 $10,923.60 -5.2% $ 11M -3.7% $10,837.40 $10,595.50 $10,565.60 $10,360.80 +4.9% -0.3% $10,174.30 +4.2% $ 10M $9,663.80 $9,630.70 -5.8% $9,209.50 $8,840.50 $ 9M

$ 8M

$ 7M

$ 6M 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Source: Box Office Mojo

2 TRENDS | INSIGHTS Movies were popular throughout the year. Below are a few box office highlights of 2015.

• Although Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper opened up in four theaters on Christmas Day 2014 (to qualify for that year’s Oscars), it did not open up nationwide until January 16, 2015. The film broke a record for ticket sales in any January weekend. American Sniper domestic total generated over $350 million in ticket sales, 99.6% of the tickets sold occurred in 2015.

• The opening weekend of Fifty Shades of Grey released on February 13 generated $85.2 million in ticket sales, the most of any weekend movie opening that month.

• The opening weekend of Furious 7 released on April 3 produced $147.2 million in box office receipts, the highest of any weekend film opening on that month.

• The opening weekend of Jurassic World released on June 12 was the highest grossing of any weekend movie opening weekend in the U.S. ever at $208.8 million. That record lasted just over six months.

• The opening weekend of Transylvania 2 released on September 25 generated $48.5 million, the highest of any weekend film opening on that month.

• The debut weekend of Star Wars: The Force Awakens which opened on December 18 and generated a record $248 million. In less than two weeks, the film became the highest grossing movie of 2015 with $740.3 million. When box office sales of 2016 is factored, the film replaced Avatar as the top grossing film of all time.

TOP TEN GROSSING FILMS RELEASED IN 2015

Rank Movie Title Studio Total Gross Theaters Opening Theaters Open Close

1 Star Wars: The Force Awakens BV $ 740,265,583 4,134 $ 247,966,675 4,134 12/18 -

2 Jurassic World Uni. $ 652,270,625 4,291 $ 208,806,270 4,274 6/12 11/19

3 Avengers: Age of Ultron BV $459,005,868 4,276 $ 191,271,109 4,276 5/1 10/8

4 Inside Out BV $ 356,461,711 4,158 $ 90,440,272 3,946 6/19 12/10

5 Furious 7 Uni. $ 353.007.020 4,022 $ 147,187,040 4,004 4/3 7/24

6 Minions Uni. $ 336,045,770 4,311 $ 115,718,405 4,301 7/ 1 0 -

7 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt. 2 LGF $ 274,222,959 4,175 $ 102,665,981 4,175 11/20 -

8 The Martian Fox $ 225,930,402 3,854 $ 54,308,575 3,831 10/2 -

9 Cinderella (2015) BV $ 201,151,353 3,848 $ 67,877,361 3,845 3/13 9/17

10 Spectre Sony $ 197,828,955 3,929 $ 70,403,148 3,929 11/6 -

Source: Box Office Mojo

TRENDS | INSIGHTS 3 Another factor was rising ticket price, to see a movie. According to boxofficemojo.com in 2015 the average ticket price cost $8.34, an increase from $8.17 in 2014. By comparison, in 2005 the average ticket price cost $6.41 and in 1995 it was $4.35. After reaching a 20-year low in 2014, the number of tickets sold in 2015 also reached 1.33 billion, from 1.27 billion in 2014. Nonetheless, it is below the high water mark set in 2002 when 1.575 billion tickets were sold (and the average movie ticket cost $5.81).

In total, ten movies generated over $200 million in ticket sales (including American Sniper). According to Box Office Mojo, the top ten films accounted for 34.5% of all box office receipts. Going back 15 years no other year had the Top 10 films account for over 30% of total ticket sales. Conversely, only 95 movies earned over $25 million in 2015, the lowest figure since 2001 when only 91 films crossed that threshold. 2015 recorded three of the five worst openings of all time for films playing in 2,000+ theaters, Jem and the Holograms, Rock the Kasbah and We Are Your Friends. Other box office disappointments included Victor Frankenstein, Burnt and Strange Magic.

Billion Dollar Box Office: There have been 24 films that have generated over $1 billion in global ticket sales, five of them were released in 2015. Star Wars: The Force Awakens without being released in China, the second biggest movie market, reached $1 billion in ticket sales in just 12 days, breaking the record set earlier in the year by Jurassic World (13 days) which had opened in China simultaneously.

Furious 7 actually grossed higher in China at $390 million than in the United States at $353 million. At the time, Furious 7 was the highest grossing film of all time in China. In 2015 the Chinese box office grew by 48.7% reaching $6.78 billion, making it the second largest movie market in the world. By comparison, five years ago the Chinese box office totaled only $1.51 billion. China is expected to become the world’s biggest film market surpassing North America by the end of 2017. Based on the success domestically and explosive growth in China, Rentrak estimates the global movie market is expected to approach a record high of $40 billion in 2015, exceeding the 2014 mark of $36.4 billion.

2015 Worldwide Billion Dollar Grosses

Rank Movie Title Studio Worldwide Domestic % (Domestic) Overseas % (Overseas)

1 Jurassic World Uni. $ 1,669.0 $ 652.3 39.1% $ 1,016.7 60.9%

2 Furious 7 Uni. $ 1,515.0 $ 353.0 23.3% $ 1,162.0 76.7%

3 Star Wars: The Force Awakens BV $ 1,510.8 $ 740.3 49.0% $ 770.5 51.0%

4 Avengers: Age of Ultron BV $ 1,405.0 $ 459.0 32.7% $ 946.0 67.3%

5 Minions Uni. $ 1,157.3 $ 336.0 29.0% $ 821.2 71.0%

4 TRENDS | INSIGHTS Studios: Universal Pictures and Disney were the top two studios in 2015. Between them they had accounted for over 40% of all box office receipts, with Universal Pictures garnering a 21.6% market share and Disney coming in at 19.2%. Both studios easily surpassed $2 billion in domestic ticket sales, all six of the top grossing films of 2015 came from the two studios. Although Warner Brothers ranked third at 14.1%, the studio failed to have any one film rank in the 15 for the first time in 35 years.

Globally, Universal Pictures grossed $6.8 billion in 2015, surpassing the record set by Fox the previous year of $5.5 billion. Disney generated over $5 billion worldwide for the first time.

Young Moviegoers: Helping to drive Hollywood to its box office record was the return of younger age groups (under the age 25), back to the movie theater. Historically, younger age groups are the heaviest movie goers as well as early adopters of digital technology, a growing concern for theater owners. According to National Research Group’s 2015 Moviegoing Report, Persons 12-24 saw an average of 8.4 films in 2015, an increase from 7.1 in 2014. According to the report, younger age groups tend to go the movies to hang out with their friends. Additionally, they are more likely to go to movies in large groups and see the same film multiple times. Of the ten highest grossing movies of 2015, the under 25 year olds was the largest age group in attendance in eight of them, the two lone exceptions were The Martian and Spectre.

Moviegoing Frequency in Three Words Average Number of Movies Seen

2013 2014 2015

8.4

Digital 7.1 REBOUND 12-24 8.4

7.7

Transitional 8.1 STABLE 24-44

8.0

7.2 Traditional 6.7 CHALLENGED 45-74

6.1

Q200/201. How many times have you been to the movies at a movie theater within the past 12 months? Regular – Luxury Respondents: Moviegoers 12-74;2014-2015 Total: 7.7, 7.3, 7_4 respectively

TRENDS | INSIGHTS 5 After a banner 2015 in which Hollywood sold over $11 billion in ticket sales in the U.S alone, a record. The movie industry, in 2016, will continue to release many films based on familiar characters, re-boots, spinoffs, remakes and/or sequels, in hopes of repeating the success of the previous year. Similar to 2015, these “tent- pole” films will be released throughout the year with an emphasis on the all-important summer months. There will also be a number of original films, with hopes of creating a new film franchise.

Once again, look for a handful of high-profile films based on super hero comic books primarily from Marvel and DC Comics in 2016. There will be a couple of X-Men movies as well as a couple of films based on Marvel comic book characters. There will be a number of sequels including Alice in Wonderland, Kung Fu Panda, Zoolander and Star Trek to name a few. There are a few re-boots including Tarzan, The Jungle Book and Ghostbusters. Look for several new sci-fi films based on novels that target young adults (among the heavy moviegoers). There will also be prequels to two of the most popular (and lucrative) film franchises of all time, Harry Potter and Star Wars. Since more dollars are spent on video games than movies, there will be several films based on popular video games such as Warcraft and Assassin’s Creed. Also look for to return as Jason , Renee Zellweger to headline as Bridget Jones and will, once again, portray Robert Langdon. however, will not be seen in the long awaited sequel to Independence Day. A few biopics of note will chronicle Edward Snowden and Roy Kroc. Also in 2016 we will get a new look at Spider-Man in the Marvel Comics/Disney film, : Civil War.

Although there are approximately 700 films released in the U.S. each year, on the following pages are a look at 40 movie releases of note for 2016. Included is the studio, a brief film description and cast members. The films are listed by their scheduled U.S. release dates.

JANUARY

The Fifth Wave (January 22): From Columbia Pictures, the film is based on a young adult science fiction novel by Rick Yancey. Four previous waves of increasingly deadly alien attacks have left most of Earth decimated. Cast members include Chloë Grace Moretz, Maika Monroe and .

Kung Fu Panda 3 (January 29): An animated sequel from DreamWorks. In this film Po must face two hugely epic, but different threats: one supernatural and the other a little closer to his home. Voice cast includes , Jack Black, and .

FEBRUARY

Hail Caesar (February 5): From Universal Pictures is a comedy from the Coen Brothers (Fargo, Big Lebowski). The film set in 1950’s Hollywood is about a superstar actor who gets kidnapped and is held up for ransom by an unknown group. Cast members include , , Channing Tatum, Josh Brolin, Ralph Fiennes and Jonah Hill.

Deadpool (February 12): From 20th Century Fox/Marvel. Deadpool made his debut in 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and now gets his first solo film (and eighth X-Men film). A one-time special force operative was subjected to an experiment leaving him with accelerated healing powers, disfigured skin an unstable mind, and a warped sense of humor. Armed with new abilities and a new identity, he tracks down the man who nearly destroyed his life. Stars .

6 TRENDS | INSIGHTS Zoolander No. 2 (February 12): From Paramount Pictures, reprises his role as a male supermodel. Co-stars include Penelope Cruz, Fred Armisen, and Kristin Wiig.

Gods of Egypt (February 26): From Lionsgate, a common thief joins a mythical god on a quest through Egypt. Cast members include , Rufus Sewell, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.

The Witch (February 26): A horror movie from A24 films. Set in 1630’s New England, the story is about a devout couple with five children. When their newborn son mysteriously vanishes and their crops fail, the family begins to turn on one another. Cast members include Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson and Kate Dickie.

MARCH

Knight of Cups (March 4): From Broad Green Pictures, a Los Angeles based screenwriter is consumed by his existential emptiness that comes from his success. Cast members include , Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett and .

The Divergent Series: Allegiant (March 18): From Summit Entertainment, the film is based on the finale of Veronica Roth’s bestselling Divergent books, a trilogy of science fiction books for young adults. Two people venture into the world outside of the fence and are taken into protective custody by a mysterious agency known as the Bureau of Genetic Welfare, who possess an authoritative reign over the United States. Cast members include , Theo James and .

Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (March 25): From DC Entertainment/Warner Bros, for the first time these two comic book superheroes appear in the same non-animated film. Other superheroes will also be appearing. The film is expected to launch a series of future Justice League films as well. stars as Batman, other cast members include , and .

TRENDS | INSIGHTS 7 APRIL

The Jungle Book (April 15): From Disney is a live-action film based on the studios 1967 animated movie and Rudyard Kipling novel. An orphan boy is raised in the jungle with the help of a pack of wolves, a bear, and a black panther. Previous live action films based on Disney animation have been popular of late including Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland. Voice cast includes , Lupita Nyong’o, Scarlett Johansson and Idris Elba. Newcomer Neel Sethi has been cast as Mowgli.

The Huntsman: Winter’s War (April 22): From Universal is a prequel/spin-off/sequel to Snow White and the Huntsman. Two evil sisters prepare to conquer the land; two renegades; Eric the Huntsmen, who previously aided Snow White in defeating Ravenna, and his forbidden lover, Sara set out to stop them. Stars , Emily Blunt, and Jessica Chastain

MAY

Captain America: Civil War (May 6): From Marvel Studios/Disney Studios, is the next Avengers movie and thirteenth film from marvel, it highlights a schism between Captain America () and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) over the government’s oversight and regulation of super heroes. Other cast members include Scarlett Johansen, William Hurt, Paul Rudd and . Of note, this the Marvel Studios debut of Spider-Man (previously from Sony Pictures) being played by .

Snowden (May 13): From Open Road films is a dramatization from Oliver Stone about a government contractor who in 2013 leaked classified information about U.S. surveillance programs. A documentary on the subject, Citizenfour had won an Oscar in 2014. Cast members include Shailene Woodley, Scott Eastwood, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, .

Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (May 20): From Universal Pictures, the movie is a sequel from the 2014 comedy. A sorority moves in next door to a home with a young child. The homeowners enlist their former nemeses, the fraternity (from the first film), to help battle these raucous new neighbors. Stars Chloë Grace Moretz, Rose Byrne, , Seth Rogan and Selena Gomez.

The Nice Guys (May 27): From Warner Brothers, a dark comedy about a private investigator and a hired gun trying to locate a missing female and fading porn star, in 1970’s Los Angeles. He soon uncovers a conspiracy. Cast members include and .

Alice through the Looking Glass (May 27): This sequel from Disney returns with many of the original cast members. Based on the Lewis Carroll novel, Alice wakes up in Wonderland and travels through a mysterious new world to retrieve a magical scepter that can stop the evil Lord of Time before he turns forward the clock and turns Wonderland into a barren, lifeless old world. Stars Mia Wasilowska, Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter.

X-Men: Apocalypse (May 27): From 20th Century Fox, is a sequel to 2014’s X-Men: Days of Future Past. It is the ninth installment in the X-Men film series that are based on characters appearing in Marvel Comics. The movie is set in the 1980’s and it does not focus on Hugh Jackman’s character Wolverine, but, on other characters. Cast includes James McAvoy, and .

8 TRENDS | INSIGHTS JUNE

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (June 3): From Paramount Pictures, an animated re-boot that is based on a 2013 downloadable video game. The Turtles return to save the city from a dangerous threat. Cast includes Megan Fox, Will Arnett, Tyler Perry, Stephen Amell and Laura Linney.

Warcraft (June 10): From Universal Pictures is an epic fantasy/adventure based on the popular video game series and series of novels from Blizzard Entertainment. The CGI enhanced film features a battle between humans and Orc’s. Cast members include Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton and Robert Kazinsky.

The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist (June 10): From Warner Brothers is a sequel to the horror film The Conjuring, which released in 2013. Paranormal detectives travel to England to investigate a council house in the London Borough of Enfield. Returning cast members include Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga.

Finding Dory (June 17): From Pixar Animation and Disney comes the much awaited animated sequel (of 2003’s Finding Nemo), Finding Dory. Voice cast is headed by Ellen DeGeneres and .

Independence Day 2: Resurgence (June 24): From 20th Century Fox is the long awaited sequel. Original cast members and Jeff Goldblum return. The sequel however will not include Will Smith, he reportedly was asking for too much money. Independence Day was the top grossing film in the U.S. in 1996.

JULY

The Legend of Tarzan (July 1): From Warner Brothers is another film based on the 1914 novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs. In this version, Tarzan now acclimated to life in London, is called back to his former home in the jungle to investigate the activities at a mining encampment. Stars Alexander Skarsgard, Margot Robbie, Samuel L. Jackson and Christopher Waltz.

The BFG (July 1): From Disney comes The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) the movie is based on a 1982 novel by Roald Dahl and is directed by Steven Spielberg. The family film is about a young girl, the Queen of England and the BFG who set out on an adventure to capture the evil, man-eating giants who have been invading the human world. Stars Mark Rylance, Bill Hader, Rebecca Hall and Ruby Barnhill.

Ghostbusters (July 15): This re-boot from the popular 1980’s film franchise from Sony will feature four female ghost busters. Cast members include Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig (from Bridesmaids) as well as Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones from . Original Ghostbusters Dan Ackroyd and Bill Murray make appearances.

Star Trek Beyond (July 22): From Paramount Pictures is the newest Star Trek feature film, in time for the 50th anniversary of the franchise. This is the third Star Trek film for Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana and Zachary Quinto. A new Star Trek series is scheduled to be streamed on CBS All Access in 2017.

Bourne 5 (working title): (July 29): From Universal Pictures, the latest Bourne film marks the return of Matt Damon in the title character replacing Jeremy Renner. The film will pick up 12 years after went off the grid back in 2004. Other cast members include , Alicia Vikander and Tommy Lee Jones.

TRENDS | INSIGHTS 9 AUGUST

Suicide Squad (August 5): From DC Comics and Warner Brothers comes Suicide Squad. The film is about a secret government agency that recruits imprisoned supervillains to execute dangerous black ops missions in exchange for clemency. Stars Margot Robbie, Scott Eastwood, Will Smith, Jared Leto and Cara Delevingne.

SEPTEMBER

Bridget Jones’s Baby (September 16): The third film in the franchise. From Universal Pictures, it follows the continuing adventures of British publishing executive Bridget Jones as she enters her 40’s. In this sequel, she finds herself in a romantic quandary: she’s pregnant, and not entirely sure who the father is. Stars Renee Zellweger, and Patrick Dempsey.

OCTOBER

The Girl on the Train (October 7): From DreamWorks, the movie is based on a best-selling book by Paula Hawkins. The film follows the story of a woman, who goes on a train to London. She witnesses the “perfect couple”. But one day, havoc ensues this couple, and she becomes involved in their drama/ murder mystery. Stars Rebecca Ferguson, Emily Blunt and Édgar Ramírez.

Inferno (October 14): From Imagine Entertainment the sequel is based on Dan Brown’s fourth novel, published in 2013. After waking up in a hospital room in Florence, Italy, with no memory of what has occurred for the last few days, Harvard professor Robert Langdon suddenly finds himself the target of a manhunt. Cast members include Tom Hanks and .

Underworld 5: Next Generation (working title) (October 21): The action-horror sequel will focus on a new and younger generation of vampires and Lycans, who are locked in a seemingly never-ending battle between races. Returning cast members include Theo James, Kate Beckinsale and Charles Dance.

10 TRENDS | INSIGHTS NOVEMBER

Doctor Strange (November 4): From Marvel Studios/Disney. This is Marvel’s second film release of the year. After his career is destroyed, a brilliant but arrogant surgeon gets a new lease on life when a sorcerer takes him under his wing and trains him to defend the world against evil. Cast members include Rachel McAdams, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetwl Ejiofor and Tilda Swinton.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (November 18): From Universal Pictures, the J.K. Rowling novel follows the adventures of a writer in New York’s secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school. Stars Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, , Ron Perlman, and Samantha Morton.

Moana (November 23): An original animated Disney film set in the ancient South Pacific. A young woman uses her navigational talents to set sail for a fabled island. Joining her on the adventure is her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui. Voice cast includes Dwayne Johnson, Alan Tudyk and Auli’i Cravalho.

The Founder (November 25): A biopic from the Weinstein Company on the life of Roy Kroc who acquired and then turned McDonald’s into the successful fast food franchise. Cast members include , Nick Offerman and John Carroll Lynch.

DECEMBER

Rogue One: Star Wars Story (December 16): From Disney, the film takes place before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope. Although it will be a departure from the epic films, they will have elements familiar to the Star Wars universe. The storyline revolves around rebels who set out on a mission to steal the plans for the Death Star. Stars Felicity Jones, Alan Tudyk, Diego Luna and .

Assassin’s Creed (December 21): From Ubisoft, the film is based on the video game. Assassin’s Creed has sold over 73 million copies and launched several novels, comic books and short films. Cast members include , and Jeremy Irons.

Passengers (December 21): A sci-fi film about a spacecraft traveling to a distant colony planet and transporting thousands of people, has a malfunction in one of its sleep chambers. As a result, a single passenger is awakened 60 years early. Faced with the prospect of growing old and dying alone, he eventually decides to wake up a second passenger. Cast members include Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt, Michael Sheen (voice) and Laurence Fishburne.

Looking beyond 2016 expect more franchise films getting released. According to The Wrap, Disney will have more franchise films from Marvel, Pixar Animation and Star War coming out over the next five years. Warner Brothers will release a series of Justice League films from DC Comics featuring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Additionally, Fox will have three years of Avatar sequels. Many other major studios are also planning five year strategies for film franchises.

TRENDS | INSIGHTS 11 www.ComcastSpotlight.com