‘Frozen 2’ Heating Up Frigid B.O. Marketplace With $117M-$130M, Still Best Opening For November Animated Pic
FROZEN 2: To say that Frozen 2s social media universe was on fire is an understatement with RelishMix reporting that the sequel counted 900.7M before opening on its way to 1 billion across Facebook, Facebook views, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube view. That’s far and above the average family pic which is typically around 338.5M and even ahead of Aladdin (736M opening SMU) and about to surpass The Lion King (925M at open).
Says RelishMix about the sequel’s social chatter, “Fans are discussing theories, expectations and songs related to the sequel. Those who adored the original Frozen have different reasons why – the characters, the songs, the animation style, the time of year of release and more are mentioned as to why this film tugged at their heartstrings. Their expectation is that part 2 will do the same, and from the materials they’ve been enjoying, their expectations are justified.”
Frozen 2‘s viral video rate of materials is at a strong 19:1, ahead of the family genre rate of 18:1. Frozen’s official Facebook page, which was the same as the 2013 film, is earning over 10K new fans daily. “This rate is certainly in a handful of the highest of movies this year. Finally, the movie’s top clips on YouTube are earning over 61K daily views on average, once again far exceeding the genre average 28.5K,” reports RelishMix.
It doesn’t end there, there’s Kristen Bell with 15.5M followers plus Idina Menzel who brings the Broadway crowd with close to 4M and they are out there promoting nonstop. “Bell has been doing a great job on the talk show circuit recently, sharing all her experiences of making this sequel from Ellen to GMA. And, she’s using her social reach to share these BTS moments and ‘secrets’ with fans, too,” continues RelishMix. Bell’s husband Dax Shepard even hysterically promoted Frozen 2 on Conan with a clip “because we live in California which is a community property state which means anything she acquires during our marriage is half mine. So, we have the same exact stake in Frozen 2.”
And the soundtrack is another awesome piece of power Disney wields in tubthumping Frozen 2. Their YouTube Disney Music VEVO page counts over 16.5M subscribers with such hot hits from the sequel being Panic at the Disco’s take on the song “Into the Unknown” (1.4M views), as well as Menzel’s original of the song which is clocking 2M views. “Subsequently, fans have ripped and re-posted the clips, sometimes as lyrics videos, other times as ‘how to’ play on the piano, etc… and it’s all built toward Frozen 2‘s opening,” says RelishMix.
Back in February, Disney dropped the first trailer to Frozen 2 which became the most viewed for an animated pic ever in its first 24 hours with 116.4M, besting Incredibles 2 record of 113.6M (those are for organic and purchased views). “Disney, to its credit, has amassed one of the largest social media footprints of all studios, especially when tallying in the Disney, Pixar and other tangential organizations under the umbrella, as they are typically all engaged to support films like Frozen 2 that have a lot of anticipation. That said, the overall strategy of a very early teaser followed by another couple of trailer drops interspersed with big, event-worthy social materials – and capped with a final month of heavy, diverse social media clips and fun has worked for Maleficent 2, The Lion King, Toy Story 4 and now Frozen 2. All of these films had tremendous brand partners, sharable soundtracks and social media materials that kept the fire well fueled leading to open,” says RelishMix.
A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
“This film has a run a standard campaign and not over-complicated its message that, if you’re looking for a feel-good, family friendly film this holiday season, look no further than Neighborhood,” says RelishMix, “but cast activation (on social) is one of the film’s weaknesses.” Tom Hanks despite having 16M on Twitter, hasn’t promoted the pic, which is similar to his other pics. Social Media universe was OK at 109.1M with a higher viral video at 15:1. Still conversation has been upbeat with potential moviegoers saying they cried during the trailer, or “in from the start” with even fans of the Focus Features doc on board to see this feature narrative with Hanks as Mister Rogers. With 96% certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, Beautiful Day is the best reviewed movie out of this weekend’s wide entries, even higher than Frozen 2‘s 75% Certified Fresh.
21 BRIDGES
Despite having a good social media universe of 82M, video viral rate of materials were low at 8:1. Social media chatter was mixed with naysayers griping, “that this cop/action genre doesn’t seem cinema worthy. They feel like they’ve seen the shoot-em-up, cops action extravaganza before, and that 21 Bridges is played-out. Some are also discouraged by the mixed reviews trickling in, which surely play a part in the decision to holiday moviegoers who have so many choices this time of year,” adds RelishMix. That said, those who bought tickets weren’t totally turned off by the Chadwick Boseman movie at 4 Stars and a B+ Cinemascore.