Company Town Film Profit Report

The report is based on projections of total U.S. box-office gross from a consensus of industry sources and studio financial models. The U.S. returns (about 55% of gross) represent only 20% of a film’s final revenue, which includes overseas theatrical, video and TV income. The industry marketing average of $30 million per film is factored into these profit equations, as is the relative strength of specific film genres in foreign markets. Results for the weekend of Sept. 11-13:

$$ Mega-Moneymakers

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Box- Estimated office cost, in Movie title Studio rank millions Something About Mary 20th Century Fox 1 $25 Saving Private Ryan DreamWorks 3 65 Armageddon Buena Vista 11 150

Projected U.S. box-office receipts, Movie title in millions Something About Mary $160 Saving Private Ryan 190 Armageddon 198

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$ Minor Moneymakers

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Box- Estimated office cost, in Movie title Studio rank millions Armageddon Disney 9 $150 Saving Private Ryan DreamWorks SKG 4 65 Something About Mary 20th Century Fox 2 25

Projected U.S. box-office receipts, Movie title in millions Armageddon $200 Saving Private Ryan 190 Something About Mary 165

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? Tossups

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Box- Estimated office cost, in Movie title Studio rank millions Snake Eyes Paramount/Disney 8 $70 How Stella Got Her... 20th Century Fox 10 25 54 Miramax 11 15 Rounders Miramax 1 22 Simon Birch Disney 5 21

Projected U.S. box-office receipts, Movie title in millions Snake Eyes $55 How Stella Got Her... 38 54 18 Rounders 24 Simon Birch 21

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Money Losers

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Why Do Fools Fall... Warner Bros. 12 18 13

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Notes: Miramax’s “Rounders” is a modestly budgeted star vehicle for Matt Damon that should cover its costs but doesn’t appear to be a break-out hit. Based on its limited opening, Disney’s “Simon Birch” got off to a good enough start to potentially break even or possibly eke out a profit when it goes into wider release in weeks to come.

Cost estimates are for production only.. Only half of box-office receipts come back to the studio.

Researched by RICHARD NATALE

If you have information or comments about the chart, call (213) 237-2001 or send e-mail to company.town@latimes.com. Send faxes to (213) 237-7837.

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