r/boxoffice • u/SanderSo47 A24 • Apr 17 '23
Original Analysis CinemaScore Analysis – 2020 Edition
Link to the other editions:
1980s: 1982 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
1990s: 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999
2000s: 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009
2010s: 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019
2020s: 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023
In this post, I kept track of every 2020 movie's CinemaScore (at least, the ones that got it). I plan to post for each subsequent year, one year per weekend. My intention is to see the evolution of each year and how the grades can either help or damage a movie's legs.
I plan to delve into each year and each movie that got a grade. While CinemaScore was founded in 1979, we didn't get a grade until 1982 and we didn't get full information until 1986.
Before starting, some notes:
This list is based on multipliers/legs. In this case, domestic total/domestic opening weekend = multiplier/legs.
If a movie opens on Saturday or Sunday (like on Christmas Day), I will use its first full weekend (Friday through Sunday).
The opening weekend is based on its first wide release (600+ theaters).
If a movie never makes it past 600 theaters, then its biggest weekend number will be used.
The figures are all taken from The Numbers and Box Office Mojo.
In 2020, 36 movies received CinemaScores (2019 had 127), which is the lowest in history. How did it go?
Well, this year had some obvious changes and that was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meant that movies had to be postponed and those who managed to keep their releases, had their legs cut short. So this is an anomaly of a year.
A
4 movies (11.11%) managed to get the grade. A step down from the rare A+, but it still indicates strong word of mouth. These movies averaged a 3.23x multiplier. In comparison, 2019 had 22 movies with a 3.62x average multiplier.
| No. | Movie | Date | Studio | Domestic Opening | Domestic Total | Budget | Weeks in theaters | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Croods: A New Age | Nov/25 | Universal | $9,724,200 | $58,568,815 | $65M | 30 | 6.02x |
| 2 | Bad Boys For Life | Jan/17 | Sony | $62,504,105 | $204,417,855 | $90M | 9 | 3.27x |
| 3 | Sonic the Hedgehog | Feb/14 | Paramount | $58,018,348 | $146,066,470 | $90M | 5 | 2.52x |
| 4 | I Still Believe | Mar/13 | Lionsgate | $9,103,614 | $10,410,004 | $12M | 26 | 1.14x |
A−
2 movies (5.55%) managed to get the grade. Generally, word of mouth will be good and indicates audiences like the movie, their expectations were met and nothing more. These movies averaged a 2.04x multiplier. In comparison, 2019 had 27 movies with a 3.62x average multiplier.
| No. | Movie | Date | Studio | Domestic Opening | Domestic Total | Budget | Weeks in theaters | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Call of the Wild | Feb/21 | 20th Century | $24,791,624 | $62,342,368 | $150M | 4 | 2.51x |
| 2 | Onward | Mar/6 | Disney | $39,119,861 | $61,555,145 | $175M | 2 | 1.57x |
B+
10 movies (27.77%) managed to get the grade. This is where things get interesting. Generally, it indicates average word of mouth. The audience didn't love it, but didn't hate it. For some niche movies, this should be a fine score. But for IP-driven movies, this should be concerning as fans are more biased to the movie itself. These movies averaged a 4.17x multiplier. In comparison, 2019 had 25 movies with a 2.77x average multiplier.
| No. | Movie | Date | Studio | Domestic Opening | Domestic Total | Budget | Weeks in theaters | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Promising Young Woman | Dec/25 | Focus Features | $719,305 | $6,460,965 | $10M | 18 | 8.98x |
| 2 | Fatale | Dec/18 | Lionsgate | $918,112 | $6,306,897 | N/A | 12 | 6.87x |
| 3 | The War with Grandpa | Oct/9 | 101 Studios | $3,623,880 | $21,277,892 | $38M | 36 | 5.87x |
| 4 | News of the World | Dec/25 | Universal | $2,250,430 | $12,668,325 | $38M | 18 | 5.63x |
| 5 | The Gentlemen | Jan/24 | STX | $10,651,884 | $36,471,796 | $22M | 21 | 3.42x |
| 6 | Wonder Woman 1984 | Dec/25 | Warner Bros. | $16,701,957 | $46,801,036 | $200M | 20 | 2.80x |
| 7 | Birds of Prey | Feb/7 | Warner Bros. | $33,010,017 | $84,158,461 | $82M | 6 | 2.55x |
| 8 | The Invisible Man | Feb/28 | Universal | $28,205,665 | $64,914,050 | $7M | 3 | 2.30x |
| 9 | The Photograph | Feb/14 | Universal | $12,181,865 | $20,578,185 | $16M | 5 | 1.69x |
| 10 | The Way Back | Mar/6 | Warner Bros. | $8,170,315 | $13,590,514 | $21M | 2 | 1.66x |
B
7 movies (19.44%) managed to get the grade. Another step down, which indicates word of mouth to be below average or middling. It could still hold on pretty well, but it's not guaranteed. These movies averaged a 3.14x multiplier. In comparison, 2019 had 16 movies with a 2.76x average multiplier.
| No. | Movie | Date | Studio | Domestic Opening | Domestic Total | Budget | Weeks in theaters | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tenet | Sep/3 | Warner Bros. | $9,353,090 | $58,504,105 | $200M | 32 | 6.25x |
| 2 | The Broken Hearts Gallery | Sep/11 | Sony | $1,126,401 | $4,066,487 | $8M | 10 | 3.61x |
| 3 | Dolittle | Jan/17 | Universal | $21,844,045 | $77,047,065 | $175M | 9 | 3.53x |
| 4 | Half Brothers | Dec/4 | Focus Features | $700,160 | $2,241,980 | N/A | 8 | 3.20x |
| 5 | Like a Boss | Jan/10 | Paramount | $10,011,272 | $22,169,514 | $29M | 6 | 2.21x |
| 6 | Emma | Feb/21 | Focus Features | $4,805,785 | $10,055,355 | $10M | 4 | 2.09x |
| 7 | Bloodshot | Mar/13 | Sony | $9,176,695 | $10,021,787 | $45M | 1 | 1.09x |
B−
3 movies (8.33%) managed to get the grade. Word of mouth is now extremely below average and indicates audiences are more disliking it. These movies averaged a 3.07x multiplier. In comparison, 2019 had 14 movies with a 2.59x average multiplier.
| No. | Movie | Date | Studio | Domestic Opening | Domestic Total | Budget | Weeks in theaters | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Come Play | Oct/30 | Focus Features | $3,119,875 | $10,475,990 | $9M | 18 | 3.36x |
| 2 | Let Him Go | Nov/6 | Focus Features | $4,000,470 | $9,358,025 | N/A | 9 | 3.34x |
| 3 | Freaky | Nov/13 | Universal | $3,600,355 | $9,030,855 | $6M | 13 | 2.51x |
C+
2 movies (5.55%) managed to get the grade. This is where generally horror movies get their ratings. For non-horror movies tho, you better hope it has a compelling premise or it will heavily drop. These movies averaged a 1.55x multiplier. In comparison, 2019 had 9 movies with a 5.22x average multiplier.
| No. | Movie | Date | Studio | Domestic Opening | Domestic Total | Budget | Weeks in theaters | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Rhythm Section | Jan/31 | Paramount | $2,715,384 | $5,437,971 | $50M | 3 | 2.00x |
| 2 | The Hunt | Mar/13 | Universal | $5,304,455 | $5,812,500 | $14M | 1 | 1.14x |
C
Only one movie (2.77%) managed to get the grade. Even worse word of mouth, but these movies had some middling to outright terrible response. This movie averaged a 2.47x multiplier. In comparison, 2019 had 4 movies with a 2.29x average multiplier.
| No. | Movie | Date | Studio | Domestic Opening | Domestic Total | Budget | Weeks in theaters | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Underwater | Jan/10 | 20th Century | $7,008,297 | $17,291,078 | $80M | 9 | 2.47x |
C−
3 movies (8.33%) managed to get the grade. The future is not bright here. These movies averaged a 2.27x multiplier. In comparison, 2019 had only one movie with a 1.90x average multiplier.
| No. | Movie | Date | Studio | Domestic Opening | Domestic Total | Budget | Weeks in theaters | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gretel and Hansel | Jan/31 | United Artists Releasing | $6,154,007 | $15,347,654 | $5M | 7 | 2.49x |
| 2 | Brahms: The Boy II | Feb/21 | STX | $5,823,006 | $12,611,536 | $10M | 4 | 2.17x |
| 3 | Fantasy Island | Feb/14 | Sony | $12,310,420 | $26,441,782 | $7M | 5 | 2.15x |
D+
Only one movie (2.77%) managed to get the grade. Even for horror movie standards, this is outright toxic word of mouth. This movie averaged a 2.29x multiplier. In comparison, 2019 had 2 movies with a 2.20x average multiplier.
| No. | Movie | Date | Studio | Domestic Opening | Domestic Total | Budget | Weeks in theaters | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Empty Man | Oct/23 | 20th Century | $1,310,326 | $2,995,698 | $16M | 10 | 2.29x |
D
Only one movie (2.77%) managed to get the grade. The feeling of hate grows. If your movie is advertised as something it isn't, you're doomed. This movie averaged a 1.79x multiplier. In comparison, 2019 had no movies with this grade.
| No. | Movie | Date | Studio | Domestic Opening | Domestic Total | Budget | Weeks in theaters | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Downhill | Feb/14 | Searchlight | $4,622,018 | $8,287,061 | N/A | 5 | 1.79x |
F
2 movies (5.55%) managed to get the grade. The most dreaded grade. Word of mouth is completely dead and this will drop like a rock. These movies averaged a 2.04x multiplier. In comparison, 2019 had no movies with this grade.
| No. | Movie | Date | Studio | Domestic Opening | Domestic Total | Budget | Weeks in theaters | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Turning | Jan/24 | Universal | $6,950,045 | $15,472,775 | $14M | 6 | 2.23x |
| 2 | The Grudge | Jan/3 | Sony | $11,404,113 | $21,216,148 | $14M | 8 | 1.86x |
2020 DOMESTIC TOP 10
Because of the very limited amount of releases, I downgraded from Top 25 to Top 10.
| No. | Movie | Date | Studio | Domestic Opening | Domestic Total | Budget | Grade | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bad Boys For Life | Jan/17 | Sony | $62,504,105 | $204,417,855 | $90M | A | 3.27x |
| 2 | Sonic the Hedgehog | Feb/14 | Paramount | $58,018,348 | $146,066,470 | $90M | A | 2.52x |
| 3 | Birds of Prey | Feb/7 | Warner Bros. | $33,010,017 | $84,158,461 | $82M | B+ | 2.55x |
| 4 | Dolittle | Jan/17 | Universal | $21,844,045 | $77,047,065 | $175M | B | 3.53x |
| 5 | The Invisible Man | Feb/28 | Universal | $28,205,665 | $64,914,050 | $7M | B+ | 2.30x |
| 6 | The Call of the Wild | Feb/21 | 20th Century | $24,791,624 | $62,342,368 | $150M | A− | 2.51x |
| 7 | Onward | Mar/6 | Disney | $39,119,861 | $61,555,145 | $175M | A− | 1.57x |
| 8 | The Croods: A New Age | Nov/25 | Universal | $9,724,200 | $58,568,815 | $65M | A | 6.02x |
| 9 | Tenet | Sep/3 | Warner Bros. | $9,353,090 | $58,504,105 | $200M | B | 6.25x |
| 10 | Wonder Woman 1984 | Dec/25 | Warner Bros. | $16,701,957 | $46,801,036 | $200M | B+ | 2.80x |
See you next weekend for the 2021 Edition.
3
u/russwriter67 Apr 17 '23
Crazy that in such an empty year, two movies were able to get F CinemaScore.
1
u/MightySilverWolf Apr 24 '23
It's very interesting that because of the unique circumstances, we see some of the best legs for movies in years (mainly those that were released as cinemas were reopening and competition was scarce) as well as some of the worst legs for movies ever (mainly those that were released just before the pandemic forced cinemas to close).
5
u/baribigbird06 Studio Ghibli Apr 17 '23
I’m going to miss this when it’s over!