Entertainment

5 Reasons Why ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ Misfired at the Box Office With $70 Million-Plus Loss – TheWrap

By Shivam Sharma

On paper, “Terminator: Dark Fate” seemed to have everything going for it. But instead of a being a sure-fire hit, the sixth installment of the Arnold Schwarzenegger franchise is, well, being terminated at the box office. Unless the film holds more strongly than expected in coming weeks, box office experts said the studio should expect to take a big loss on the theatrical release — between $70 million to as much as $100 million.

While pre-weekend projections were set around $40 million, “Terminator: Dark Fate” has only earned a domestic opening of $29 million and a global launch of $101.9 million, numbers that aren’t great for a film that cost $185 to make before marketing. And with this early pace set, it is likely that this box office run will finish in the red.

All of this comes as somewhat of a surprise, considering the original film’s core team of James Cameron, Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger were all involved, and “Deadpool” filmmaker Tim Miller was directing. While “Dark Fate” wasn’t expected to be a huge hit, reviews were better than those of past “Terminator” sequels with a 69% Rotten Tomatoes score. Combined with its aforementioned pedigree, it was expected to do better.

So what happened?

Also Read: 6 Major Ideas ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ Copied From Previous ‘Terminator’ Movies

1) “Joker” is still going strong

“Joker,” despite its adult content, is still a major force at the box office with $14 million grossed in its fifth weekend. It has gained cross-demographic appeal that has pulled away potential moviegoers for other films, especially a film like “Terminator: Dark Fate” that relies so heavily on male Gen X audiences.

Now just $66 million away from becoming the first R-rated film to gross $1 billion worldwide, “‘Joker’ has become the must-see film of the fall, so much so that it is making it harder for other films that have come out since to gain traction,” comScore analyst Paul Dergarabedian told TheWrap. “It’s encroaching on the core audiences of completely different movies.”

Also Read: ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ Wipes Out With $29 Million Box Office Opening

2) Is it too much like “Judgment Day”?

The general consensus within pop culture is that “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” was the last truly great “Terminator” movie. It was the last one in which Hamilton, Cameron and Schwarzenegger were all involved, and lines like “Hasta la vista, baby” that have given “Terminator” its cultural immortality.

But in its attempt to draw favorable comparisons to “T2,” did “Dark Fate” go too far? Even in positive reviews for the film, critics noted that “Dark Fate” copies a great deal of the narrative beats of its 1991 predecessor, including the subplot of Hamilton’s Sarah Connor learning to move past her mistrust of Schwarzenegger’s T-800 and learn to fight alongside him.

Combine that with other elements that the film lifted from past “Terminator” installments, and some moviegoers may have felt like “Dark Fate” was too much like a rehash to buy a ticket for, even if it was a well-received one.

Also Read: ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ Film Review: Linda Hamilton Is Back, and So Is the Franchise’s Mojo

3) Timeline confusion

While “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” has left a large pop culture footprint, it is a film that came out more than 25 years ago. For those who aren’t hardcore “Terminator” fans, the decision to again tinker with the series timeline after “Terminator: Genisys” already played with it may have been confusing. Even for those who understood this was a direct follow-up to “T2,” it may have been a long time since they saw that film.

“Blade Runner 2049” suffered that fate two years ago when it fell below box office expectations. One explanation suggested that many casual moviegoers were no longer familiar with the original 1982 film, leading them to stay away from theaters out of the belief they wouldn’t understand the plot without having seen the first film.

Also Read: 5 Reasons ‘Blade Runner 2049’ Failed to Boot Up at Box Office

4) What happened to [SPOILERS]?

For hardcore fans, on the other hand, there’s something that happens in the first five minutes of “Terminator: Dark Fate” that may have put off many of them. To discuss this, we’re going to get into spoilers, so consider this your warning if you haven’t seen “Dark Fate.”

Several months ago, “T2” star Edward Furlong confirmed that he would be returning as Sarah Connor’s son and future leader of the human resistance, John…but only for a very small role. This led some “Terminator” fans to fear that John Connor would be killed off in “Dark Fate”; and not only does that happen in the film’s opening scene, it comes at the hands of a T-800 played by Arnold Schwarzenegger that looks exactly like the one that protected and befriended John in “T2.”

Bringing back a beloved character just to immediately kill them off can alienate any fanbase. Getting rid of John Connor may have cost “Terminator: Dark Fate” support from devoted fans who are critical for any franchise to gain the word of mouth needed to build interest.

Also Read: ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ – Let’s Talk About What Happened With John Connor

5) “Terminator” may just be past its prime

Ultimately, after three poorly received sequels and a short-lived TV series, is “Terminator” past its expiration date with audiences, not just in the U.S., but globally? While Gen X and millennial audiences may be nostalgic for Arnold and “I’ll be back,” Generation Z has not grown up with “Terminator” the way it has with Marvel and “Star Wars.”

“There’s a certain point with a franchise where after several bad sequels, it no longer has good will from the audience even when it puts out good films again,” Dergarabedian explained. “It’s been so long since ‘Terminator’ had a film that everybody loved that much of the global moviegoing audience seems to have moved on.”

That’s not a good sign for Paramount, which is in great need of reliable tentpoles. While Tom Cruise has provided success with “Mission: Impossible” and will provide the studio with a boost in 2020 with “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Dark Fate” is the second big misfire for Paramount in the past month after “Gemini Man” flopped at the box office. Even “Transformers,” Paramount’s longtime moneymaker, wasn’t able to find new steam with the release of “Bumblebee” last winter.

After a 2018 in which the leadership of CEO Jim Gianopulos gave Paramount a much-needed surge in box office grosses, including two $150 million-plus domestic grossers, Paramount has yet to release a film this year that’s made over $100 million in North America. It’s a reminder that if this studio is to return to the success it enjoyed at the start of this decade, there’s still a long way to go.

30 Highest Grossing Animated Movies of All Time Worldwide


  • A look at top animated moneymakers as of September 2019, from “The Lion King” to “Zootopia.” The numbers are not adjusted for inflation.



  • 30. “Kung Fu Panda” (2008) 

    Worldwide Gross: $631,744,560

    The success of Jack Black’s 2008 martial arts-meet-spongy mammal movie set into motion its inevitable — and even more profitable — sequel. 

    Dreamworks Animation Studios


  • incredibles 2

    29. “The Incredibles” (2004) 

    Worldwide Gross: $633,019,734

    In 2004, Brad Bird’s first Pixar outing wowed audiences with complicated animated action scenes, cross-generational comedy and superhero mayhem.

    Pixar Animation Studios


  • sing

    28. “Sing” (2016) 

    Worldwide Gross: $634,151,679

    Illumination’s animal-karaoke musical crooned its way onto the list.
     



  • moana

    27. “Moana” (2016) 

    Worldwide Gross: $643,331,111

    Disney’s Hawaii-set movie scored two Oscar nominations, for Best Animated Feature and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s song “How Far I’ll Go.”
     

    Disney


  • 26. “Big Hero 6” (2014) 

    Worldwide Gross: $657,818,612

    Disney’s 2014 robot tale combined anime aesthetics, superhero action and Pixar’s heart. 

    Disney Animation Studios


  • 25. “Ice Age: The Meltdown” (2006) 

    Worldwide Gross: $660,940,780

    Fox’s 2006 prehistoric romp proved the success of the first was no fluke. 

    Twentieth Century Fox


  • kung fu panda 2

    24. “Kung Fu Panda 2” (2011) 

    Worldwide Gross: $665,692,281

    With the franchise’s skills proven, DreamWorks Animation gave the world another hit of comedy with this animated martial arts sequel in 2011. 

    Dreamworks Animation Studios


  • 23. “Up” (2009) 

    Worldwide Gross: $735,099,082

    The 2009 fan favorite demonstrated that original ideas with big emotions could make big money. 

    Pixar Animation Studios


  • 22. “Monsters University” (2013) 

    Worldwide Gross: $744,229,437

    Ten years after the release of “Monsters Inc,” Pixar sent fans back to school in a 2013 prequel.

    Pixar Animation Studios


  • Madagascar 3

    21. “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” (2012) 

    Worldwide Gross: $746,921,274

    DreamWorks Animation’s “Madagascar” series kept the studio afloat with a string of breezy successes, including 2012’s third installment.

    Dreamworks Animation Studios


  • Fiona, Donkey, Shrek, Lord Farquaad are shown in the 2001 film "Shrek" from DreamWorks.

    20. “Shrek Forever After” (2010) 

    Worldwide Gross: $752,600,867

    The big green ogre’s final chapter dropped in 2010.    

    Dreamworks Animation Studio


  • shrek third

    19. “Shrek the Third” (2007) 

    Worldwide Gross: $798,958,162

    Made  in 2007, this sequel proved there was still some gas left in this fantasy mash-up comedy franchise. 

    Dreamworks Animation Studio


  • coco

    18. “Coco” (2017) 

    Worldwide Gross: $807,082,196 

    Directed by Lee Unkrich, this animated film captured everyone’s hearts and even won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2018.

    Disney/Pixar


  • 17. “Inside Out” (2015) 

    Worldwide Gross: $857,611,174

    Disney Pixar hit the home run again with this animated feature film about the emotions inside your head, starring Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling and Bill Hader. 

    Disney/Pixar


  • secret life of pets

    16. “The Secret Life of Pets” (2016) 

    Worldwide Gross:$875,457,937

    Universal/Illumination’s story of dogs seeking out adventure while their owners are away charmed its way onto the list.



  • 15.  “Ice Age: Continental Drift” (2012) 

    Worldwide Gross: $877,244,782

    Profits abound for this 2012 fourth installment in the chilly prehistoric franchise, followed just behind it’s predecessor.

    Twentieth Century Fox Animation


  • 14.”Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” (2009) 

    Worldwide Gross: $888,805,671
     

    While other films have made bigger waves in the States, international sales have always returned big money for Fox’s “Ice Age” franchise, proven again by the 2009 entry. 

    Twentieth Century Fox Animation


  • Shrek 2

    13. “Shrek 2” (2004) 

    Worldwide Gross: $919,838,758

    DreamWorks Animation proved to be worthy Pixar competition with its successful “Shrek” franchise.

    Dreamworks Animation Studio


  • finding nemo animated pixar

    12. “Finding Nemo” (2003) 

    Worldwide Gross: $940,335,536

    “Finding Nemo” was something of a second-wind for Pixar, solidifying the company’s place as the titans of modern animation. 

    Pixar Studios


  • lion king animated

    11. “The Lion King” (1994) 

    Worldwide Gross: $968,483,777

    Can you feel the love tonight for this Disney animated classic?

    Disney Animation Studios


  • despicable me 2 animated

    10. “Despicable Me 2” (2013) 

    Worldwide Gross:  $970,761,885

    Illumination’s sequel managed to make more money than its predecessor and put the upcoming “Minions” spin-off into motion.

    Illumination Studios


  • zootopia

    9. “Zootopia” (2016) 

    Worldwide Gross: $1,023,784,195

    Disney charmed audiences in 2016 with its cop thriller pairing a rookie rabbit cop and a wily fox informant.

    Disney


  • Finding Dory box office breaks record

    8. “Finding Dory” (2016) 

    Worldwide Gross: $1,028,570,889

    The sequel to “Finding Nemo” swam right back into audience’s hearts.

    Pixar


  • Despicable Me 3

    7. “Despicable Me 3” (2017) 

    Worldwide Gross: $1,034,799,409

    Illumination’s follow-up — featuring Gru’s blond-haired brother — became the franchise’s biggest grosser.



  • Toy Story 4 Forky Woody

    6. “Toy Story 4” (2019)

    Worldwide Gross: $1,061,928,660

    Disney


  • 5. “Toy Story 3” (2010) 

    Worldwide Gross: $1,066,969,703

    Built on Pixar’s critical and commercial goodwill, the third installment in the mega-franchise brought in big profits.

    Pixar Studios


  • "Minions"

    4. “Minions” (2015) 

    Worldwide Gross: $1,159,398,397

    The little yellow helpers crossed the $1 billion mark at the end of August, raking in more money then “Despicable Me” and “Despicable Me 2” for Universal Pictures. 

    Universal Pictures/Illumination Entertainment


  • does incredibles 2 have a post-credits scene

    3. “Incredibles 2” (2018) 

    Worldwide Gross: $1,242,805,359

    The superpowered family sprung back into action a full 14 years after the original — but far surpassed the original film’s box office haul.
     

    Disney/Pixar


  • Frozen-Highest-Grossing-Films

    2. “Frozen” (2013) 

    Worldwide Gross: $1,276,480,335

    Disney’s 2013 smash-hit takes the box office top spot. And then there was merchandising, video on demand and home video that audiences just couldn’t let go…

    Disney Animation Studios


  • The Lion King

    1. The Lion King (2019)

    Worldwide Gross: $1,631,724,000

    Whether the film is animated or live-action has been up for debate, the new “Lion King” was computer animated, so we’re putting it on the list. 

    Disney



1 of 31

Cartoon characters that cleaned up at the global box office, from “The Lion King” to “Incredibles 2”

A look at top animated moneymakers as of September 2019, from “The Lion King” to “Zootopia.” The numbers are not adjusted for inflation.

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