Box office figures are falling. Why do you think this is?

Box office figures are falling. Why do you think this is?

In 2014 US box office revenue was at it's lowest since 1995, with 1.26 billion cinema goers purchasing tickets in 2014. Ticket sales suffered a 6% drop from 2013, which had 1.34 billion tickets sold. One of the main reasons for 2014's box office failure was, despite its many box office 'hits', studios were overrun with flops and failures that fell short of audiences high expectations. 

Box office figures are falling due to the rise in popular alternatives, Netflix and Hulu offer unlimited films for a set price. In 2014 Netflix's net income was at its highest since its creation in 2011. The net income of Netflix in 2014 was $266.8 Million, this is 137% rise on 2013's net income, $112.4 Million. This is result of cinema's most unsuccessful year in history, cinema goers have taken the money they would spend on a cinema ticket and have, instead, given their money to Netflix. This is proof that the cinematic experience can be replicated elsewhere. 

Cinema is now the home of the blockbuster, franchises and big budget films have overtaken the box office. Audiences now go to the cinema for the spectacle, but are more than willing to stay at home and stream the more relaxed films on their TV. Going to the cinema has become a rare treat due to the rise in cost, in 2014 the British Film Institute reported that ticket prices have risen 26% over the course of the last five years. On top of this a recent YouGov study showed that the average cinema attendee spends, on average, £7.85 on top of their ticket price on snacks, drinks and parking. The rise in price has meant that families now only go to the cinema for franchise releases or blockbusters. 9/10 of the top ten grossing films of 2014 were franchises, this compared to 1998 when only 1/10 of the highest grossing films of that year were franchises. Studio's have become reliant on the safety net that franchises offer, therefore more franchises are released every year. Audiences are becoming deterred by the 'familiar' films and overwhelmed by the over-marketed approach that studios have taken in recent years. For example FOX Studios spent $100 Million, in 2009, on the marketing of Avatar. They released limited edition bottles and cans of Coca-Cola with the characters faces and a special logo, that when held in front of a webcam allowed the audience to interact with the website using 3D augmented reality technology. 

Another reason for the Box Office fall in prices, is the decline in star power. Films stars no longer have the pull they used to in the film world. Audiences are no longer attracted to film stars as much as they are attracted to the character they portray. For example, Samuel L. Jackson made an agreement with Marvel Comics to use his face for the design of Director Nick Fury in the Marvel Universe. This meant that no other actor could play this character and he fit into the role perfectly. It was Samuel L. Jackson playing a role is was Director Nick Fury. Film stars have been overtaken by the characters they play and the characters are who the audiences now identify with, this is down to the rise in franchises. 

** TV
**2015
**Disney- Star Wars- Marvel