Hollywood’s Holiday Box-Office Problem: Too Many Family Movies

This year’s holiday movie line-up features an overabundance of family films, big name dramas, and possibly the first ever R-rated comedy to open up on Christmas Day, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Seth Rogen’s The Interview, which has been highly anticipated for its plot and subsequent condemnation by North Korean leaders, will open up alongside two musical adaptations.

The two adaptations of Broadway musicals: Annie, from Sony, and Disney’s Into the Woods, starring Meryl Streep, are expected to grab family viewers, as well as Fox’s newest installment of Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, starring Ben Stiller and the late Robin Williams, in his final role. 

DreamWorks Animation’s Thanksgiving release of Penguins of Madagascar will also still be showing in theaters for Christmas. That leaves a lot of options for both children and adults, and some insiders are wondering which children’s films will get left out in the cold. 

It was a rough summer for most big Hollywood studios, with ticket sales down by four or five percent. But with plenty of options for all ages this holiday season, things are likely to pick up, depending on which films create the most buzz. 

Other major films to be released in time for Christmas are Tim Burton’s Big Eyes, Mark Wahlberg’s The Gambler, and Angelina Jolie’s drama Unbroken. 

With these films all sporting awards aspirations, other releases might have to be competitive for the remaining ticket sales. It should be an entertaining holiday season for both potential moviegoers and major Hollywood studios.