A popcorn bucket is photographed during the world premiere of the ‘Taylor Swift: The Elus Tour’ concert film at AMC The Grove in Los Angeles on October 11, 2023.
Valerie Macon | AFP | Getty Images
Taylor Swift fans had just eight hours to buy tickets for Thursday night’s last-minute preview of her Ellas tour concert film.
As a result, ticket sales reached $2.8 million.
While this number is low compared to Marvel, DC, and Star Wars blockbusters, it reflects the fact that the film was not originally scheduled for a Thursday release. In fact, fans were not informed that the screening would be available as early as late Wednesday night, and tickets for the 6pm screening were not available for purchase until 10am local time on Thursday.
Box office analysts don’t think Thursday night’s weak box office numbers are an indication that Swift’s film will be a success.
“There’s a storm brewing,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at ComScore. “11th Availability for Thursday night’s pre-show was announced an hour in advance, resulting in an early box office hit that belied the film’s true potential. Pre-sales and incredible fan enthusiasm portend a blockbuster-style weekend. ”
Swift is expected to win between $40 million and $60 million on Friday and up to $150 million in the weekend’s opening draw. If it grosses over $96 million over the weekend, it will surpass 2019’s “Joker” and become the highest-grossing October opening.
“It would be foolhardy to try and predict this,” said Sean Robbins, principal analyst at BoxOffice.com. “It all depends on the average ticket price plus how much walk-up business she can bring in outside of the die-hard fans who are already buying tickets weeks in advance.”
Swift’s film is on pace to be released in about 3,850 theaters, making it the widest domestic release for a concert film. It also had the best opening weekend for a concert film, surpassing 2008’s Miley Cyrus’ “Best of the World Concerts,” which grossed $31.1 million in its domestic debut, according to ComScore data. He plans to record it.
If the film tops $263 million worldwide during its limited theatrical run, as many box office analysts predict, it will surpass “Michael Jackson’s This Is It.” , which would go on to become the highest-grossing concert film in the world.
AMC Entertainment, which is distributing the film, reported last week that advance theatrical sales for the full run of Swift’s film have already exceeded $100 million.
Swift’s box office success is supported by average ticket prices, which are more than 40% higher than regular releases this year. Base prices for standard format tickets start at $19.89 for adults and $13.13 for children. The number reflects Swift’s birth year and lucky number 13. Tickets for premium format screens like IMAX and Dolby are expensive.
In addition, movie theaters are expected to see a significant increase in concession sales. Signature popcorn buckets, drinkware and boutique cocktails are sure to grab the attention of moviegoers. Many locations are also planning to set up friendship bracelet making tables and other in-person events to make the occasion bigger and more memorable than just a movie night.