In recent years, Hollywood movies have collected high profits in India. The content of these movies has been highly appreciated by the Indian audience. A major portion of this is taken up by the superhero movies, which attract large number of audience from all age groups. Marvel, being the highest earning franchise in the world, is all set to break the records with its most awaited ‘Avengers: Endgame’. It is speculated to be the biggest Hollywood opener in India. Recently, the Hollywood franchises have grown bigger and bigger on the Indian box office.
The 22nd film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe also franchised by Disney has generated a lot ofinterest from movie lovers. Experts are pegging first day collection at over Rs 50 crores, given the high demand of tickets. The current record is also held by the Marvel franchised movie ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ which had a net gross of Rs 2.2 billion at the box office.
The COO of Viacom18 motion picture said, “In Hollywood, it’s been the year of Marvel characters. Whether you look at Avengers at the top-notch Rs 3 billion gross box office (GBO) or even other Marvel (character) films like Deadpool, Black Panther, Venom getting close to the Rs 500 million mark powered by younger viewers. Our Paramount franchise that’s been around — Mission Impossible — touched a new high at Rs 1.3-billion GBO. The third story in Hollywood segment is horror, in particular. The Conjuring Universe, where even a spinoff like Nun touched Rs 600 million GBO. So yes, franchises is the way forward for studios but you still have to deliver a great film.”
The reach and hold of Hollywood has increased in recent years, the highest earning animated Hollywood movie in India was the Incredibles 2 which had a net collection of 420 million. It is therefore easy to estimate that the new Marvel superhero movie will break the records on Indian box office. The rumours of the Avengers being the biggest opener of all time might turn out to be true. The tickets have been booked by audience in span of minutes, and all the theatres have pre-booked full house shows that will run on 26th April when the movie releases in India. The superhero movie will be released on 2,500 screens across India.
Frank Rittman, a veteran in the field of copyright in the film industry said that India is a major market for the Hollywood industry. The top 10 Hollywood movies of the 53 released in India in 2013 made a total of Rs 323 crore. The theatrical growth in India is estimated to be 12% per year.
Hollywood movies have now started to interest people way beyond the level it used to do some years back. It is important to mention the point that Avengers : Endgame grossing the biggest opening would come amidst the fact that no movies of the Khans have this year reached the Rs 2 billion mark. The base of this grand opening is credited to its prequel Avengers: Infinity Wars. If Endgame secures an opening of Rs 50 crore on the first day, it would surpass any Bollywood movie to be the highest opener of all time!
