After 35 years of waiting, Blade Runner fans were finally treated to a sequel and it didn't disappoint. The critically acclaimed film delivered on just about everything including story, visuals, and score, creating a nearly perfect Blade Runner sequel in the form of Blade Runner 2049.
Sadly, the movie didn't perform well at the box office. The sci-fi sequel came in at a disappointing $31.5 million, even though it took the top spot at the box office it's below expectations. The movie was made on a $150 million budget (rumors suggest that it may actually be closer to $200 million) and was expected to rake in about $50 million but it didn't come close.
So, why did a movie that is being praised as one of the best sequels ever made and one of the best movies of 2017 flop? Well, there are a few different reasons. The first of which is the runtime. 2049 is 2 hours and 43 minutes long, it's a major time commitment. The film is also rated R, meaning no one under the age of 17 can go see this movie without an adult so you're eliminating an entire audience. The lengthy runtime could push some viewers away and it also decreases the number of times a movie can be played per day in one theater, leading to fewer tickets being sold.
Another reason is that it's a sequel to a movie that was a movie that was critically panned upon release and has achieved cult status over time. While it has been promoted as a standalone film, some people may be driven away from the fact they've never seen the original.
The last reason that could have contributed to it failing at the box office is the fact that no one knew the plot of the movie going in. The marketing kept almost everything, including the most basic plot elements, under wraps. It was great to actually be surprised when watching the movie but some people want to know what they're getting before they put down $20+ and nearly 3 hours of their time.
Blade Runner 2049 could succeed in the following weeks due to lack of competition and great word of mouth but only time will tell.
Blade Runner 2049 is out now and you can click here to read our glowing review.
[CNN]
