Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
04-22-14, 09:59 AM
#26
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Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
04-22-14, 10:03 AM
#27
Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
Just think how much better this story would be if you'd actually done it--and had pictures to boot!
04-22-14, 11:14 AM
#28
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
This is Spinal Tap
My brother and I went to see it at a matinee and there was one other group of 3 guys in the theater. On the way out, it seemed as if they were not aware it was a parody.
My brother and I went to see it at a matinee and there was one other group of 3 guys in the theater. On the way out, it seemed as if they were not aware it was a parody.
04-22-14, 11:24 AM
#29
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Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
As I recall, Austin Powers 2 made more money in it's opening weekend than the first film made in it's entire box office run. Prior to that, the "rule of thumb" for sequels was that they made about 80% of what the prior film pulled in.
04-22-14, 11:57 AM
#31
Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
Actually it was HBO where it bacame a hit.
I will add Blade Runner, me and my buddy were the only two in the theater when I saw it when it opened.
The Thing only came to our Drive-In. That wasn't a good sign in our town.
I will add Blade Runner, me and my buddy were the only two in the theater when I saw it when it opened.
The Thing only came to our Drive-In. That wasn't a good sign in our town.
Last edited by d2cheer; 04-22-14 at 02:53 PM.
04-22-14, 02:01 PM
#32
Moderator
Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
Donnie Darko - not really became a hit, more 'cult' status - but yeah, opening day ... not a soul there. kind of odd and creepy
04-22-14, 02:24 PM
#34
Moderator
Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
The only movie where I was the only person in theater was Savini's remake of Night of the Living Dead.
04-22-14, 02:54 PM
#35
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
I recall the opening weekend showing of The Big Lebowski being pretty well attended...in northern Kentucky, no less. It got a great reception, too.
The Shawshank Redemption attendance, however, was pretty sparse. A buddy and I were driving back from out west and went to see it somewhere in Wisconsin when we stopped for the night, which I'm pretty sure was on a Friday.
Similarly, there were maybe six of us in the theater for the opening weekends of The Usual Suspects, Dark City, and Equilibrium, although I'm not sure the latter two are considered hits now.
The Shawshank Redemption attendance, however, was pretty sparse. A buddy and I were driving back from out west and went to see it somewhere in Wisconsin when we stopped for the night, which I'm pretty sure was on a Friday.
Similarly, there were maybe six of us in the theater for the opening weekends of The Usual Suspects, Dark City, and Equilibrium, although I'm not sure the latter two are considered hits now.
04-22-14, 03:04 PM
#36
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Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
I arrived a bit late to the opening night premiere of Uwe Boll's Postal, and they actually had to turn on the projector just for me. Obviously I was the only person in the theater for that initial showing, but it wouldn't surprise if I found out I was the only person to watch it all in that particular theater. I'm pretty sure it did get a very, very limited theatrical showing and the movie didn't become a hit (deservedly so), but I still find it funny that I was the only one there. Not really sure why I even went.
04-22-14, 03:13 PM
#37
Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
The only movies where I was the only one in the theater:
THE REF (1994)
DIGIMON THE MOVIE (2000)
Although I can't vouch that either became a hit later.
There was hardly anyone at SPEED RACER when I went to see it, but a few dudes sprinkled in as it played. One jerk came in in the middle and sat two seats away from me (in the back row) in a nearly empty theater and started to laugh and cheer at everything that happened, as if he'd been there all along. At some point I moved away to the other side of the row to get away from him.
THE REF (1994)
DIGIMON THE MOVIE (2000)
Although I can't vouch that either became a hit later.
There was hardly anyone at SPEED RACER when I went to see it, but a few dudes sprinkled in as it played. One jerk came in in the middle and sat two seats away from me (in the back row) in a nearly empty theater and started to laugh and cheer at everything that happened, as if he'd been there all along. At some point I moved away to the other side of the row to get away from him.
04-22-14, 03:38 PM
#38
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Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
came across this old thread while looking for something else.
thought it might be interesting...
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/movie-talk/...y-theatre.html
thought it might be interesting...
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/movie-talk/...y-theatre.html
04-22-14, 03:49 PM
#39
Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
Others mentioned:
Tron
Boogie Nights
Pulp Fiction-Saw this in it's Fall release. The box-office returns were obviously small by this time, but it was already a huge hit with the critics. Besides being a Palm D'or winner, it was the first movie that I ever saw get an "A+" by Owen Gleiberman (Back when I had an E-Weekly subscription)
04-22-14, 04:06 PM
#40
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
Does Idiocracy count? Since it was barely released in theaters at all, it never had a chance to be a hit or a dud, although I'm guessing it wouldn't have done very well.
04-22-14, 04:29 PM
#41
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
Blade Runner
Dune
Office Space
Dredd
And I think these two may count - Big Trouble in Little China & To Live & Die in LA
Dune
Office Space
Dredd
And I think these two may count - Big Trouble in Little China & To Live & Die in LA
04-22-14, 04:33 PM
#42
Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
In choosing between Blast From the Past and Office Space to see in theaters (which my Grandfather was taking me to), I chose the former. Not the best choice, but I kind of liked it. Unfortunately, I didn't see Office Space until years later.
04-22-14, 06:18 PM
#44
Suspended
Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
When I was in I wanna say high school my girlfriend and I saw the movie Go and there weren't many people in the theater. I think i even felt her up while we were making out under the shirt boob touching. Oh, my awkward teenage years.
04-23-14, 02:14 AM
#45
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
04-23-14, 03:13 AM
#46
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
Let's see:
Tron
Earth Girls Are Easy
UHF
No Holds Barred (kind of a cult hit)
Tron
Earth Girls Are Easy
UHF
No Holds Barred (kind of a cult hit)
04-23-14, 11:25 AM
#47
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Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
That would have been fantastic. Or even better yet. Go in the KISS getup and see a chick flick.
04-23-14, 11:33 AM
#48
Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
On this board in particular, I'm pretty sure like 60% of us saw Dredd, so it doesn't seem like a niche thing, even though I know it didn't do well.
04-23-14, 11:36 AM
#49
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Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
Tank Girl (1995)
Fish Tank (2009)
The Tanks are Coming (1951)
The Woman in the Septic Tank (2011)
Think Tank (2006)
Tank Force (1958)
Tank Battalion (1958)
Tank Commandos (1959)
Yank Tanks (2002)
Tanks a Million (1941)
Stop That Tank! (1942)
The Battle of the Ancre and the Advance of the Tanks (1917)
Four Tanks and a Healer (2011)
Tank on the Moon (2007)
7 More Day s in the Tank (2006)
Tank (1984)
Tanks (1942)
Fish Tank (2009)
The Tanks are Coming (1951)
The Woman in the Septic Tank (2011)
Think Tank (2006)
Tank Force (1958)
Tank Battalion (1958)
Tank Commandos (1959)
Yank Tanks (2002)
Tanks a Million (1941)
Stop That Tank! (1942)
The Battle of the Ancre and the Advance of the Tanks (1917)
Four Tanks and a Healer (2011)
Tank on the Moon (2007)
7 More Day s in the Tank (2006)
Tank (1984)
Tanks (1942)
04-23-14, 11:48 AM
#50
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Movies that tanked but later became hits: Were you there in the empty theater?
came across this old thread while looking for something else.
thought it might be interesting...
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/movie-talk/...y-theatre.html
thought it might be interesting...
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/movie-talk/...y-theatre.html