Home Alone’s 30-Year Record Was Broken by a Surprising Movie Very Recently

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As a movie critic who grew up during the reign of Macaulay Culkin in the ’90s, I must confess that it brings a twinge of nostalgia to see “Home Alone” finally dethroned after 33 years. However, I must acknowledge that Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” has truly outshone the competition with its record-breaking success.

In simple terms, the movie titled “Barbie” smashed previous records by earning a staggering $636.2 million in domestic sales, surpassing the long-standing record held by “Home Alone.” This figure is more than twice the amount that “Home Alone” made, which was $285.8 million. Not only did this movie break records, but it shattered them! The film also earned an additional $809.4 million internationally, bringing its global total to a breathtaking $1.446 billion. This incredible performance not only made “Barbie” the top-grossing film of 2023 but also the most successful comedy ever produced. Additionally, this movie set a new standard for female directors.

For over three decades, the iconic film “Home Alone” held sway in the realm of comedy, becoming a household name since its release in 1990. This beloved Christmas tale catapulted Macaulay Culkin’s career and generated an astounding $476.7 million worldwide, on a budget of just $18 million – a testament to its financial success. Remarkably, the comedy “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” has now eclipsed Home Alone’s domestic earnings, pocketing $294.1 million and securing the runner-up spot among comedies. Internationally, it has amassed an additional $157 million, bringing its total global earnings to $451.1 million.

Typically, comedy movies encounter distinctive hurdles in their box office performance compared to family-action flicks. Unlike the latter, humor tends to resonate more with particular age groups or tastes rather than a wide range of viewers. To achieve success, comedy movies must skillfully blend laughter and universal appeal, finding a sweet spot that works for all ages. Family-friendly content has often proven effective in this regard.

Barbie embodies this concept through characters that captivate a broad spectrum of viewers, boasting humor that resonates on various levels among kids and adults alike. The movie’s triumph was further bolstered by its association with a renowned toy line, catchy tunes courtesy of international pop sensations, and high-profile casting, with the lead actress Margot Robbie rumored to have banked an impressive $50 million from the production.

Despite consistently outperforming “Dune: Part Two” since its September debut, making it Warner Bros.’ top-grossing film of the year, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” still lags behind “Despicable Me 4” by approximately $60 million. The horror-comedy sequel has shown remarkable strength, earning a robust opening weekend of $100 million and maintaining steady returns that outweigh its production budget.

The movie has managed to rank among the top 70 highest-earning PG-13 films in history, surpassing both “The Sixth Sense” and “Inception”, but it hasn’t quite reached the box office successes of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” or “Man of Steel”. As its weekly earnings have fallen below $10 million and the film has exited the top 10, movie experts predict that its total global revenue will settle around $450 million.

The new order in the earnings structure of comedies, spearheaded by the remarkable performance of Barbie, suggests a transformation in the genre’s allure and the growing capacity for comedy movies to reach blockbuster level if they effectively connect with diverse age groups and demographics.

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2024-11-25 02:09