Billboard now lists the soundtrack as #4 on the top soundtracks chart and #27 on the pop (top 200) chart.
That is last week's position before the film was released. It should be much, much higher this week when it's released on Thursday!
It came in third over the weekend with slightly over $46 million.
That's better that originally predicted, but not quite as high as some estimates that were being tossed around yesterday.
It's a great opening either way.
I'll be curious to see how word of mouth impacts it over the next holiday weekend.
Link
What are the chances that they could add more theaters?
Somebody just made the brilliant decision (I assume on Disney Records end) to offer the single disc version for only 7.99 on iTunes. The deluxe version is still #10 and I'm sure the 7.99 version will jump to the top 10 as well. Very smart decision. It would be amazing to see a Sondheim score become a very successful album.
Updated On: 12/28/14 at 01:43 PM
Disney feels they're reaching their target. And with only 38% making up family audiences.
In contrast, Disney’s “Into the Woods” got a lift from a star heavy crew that includes Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Emily Blunt, Chris Pine and Anna Kendrick. The $50 million production brought in $31 million from locations, securing third place on the box office charts. It has made $46.1 million since debuting on Thursday.
Its origins as a hit Broadway musical may have helped pack in older crowds for whom Stephen Sondheim is close to godliness, while Walt Disney Studios was also able to devise a fantastical marketing campaign to appeal to children. Adults comprised 51% of the opening weekend crowd, while families made up 38%.
The film’s dark hues were part of its appeal, noted Disney distribution chief Dave Hollis. The studio’s testing indicated that the second half of the film, the one that explores what happens after happily ever after, is what resonated the most potently with moviegoers.
“We went down the path of owning that,” said Hollis. “It wouldn’t have been as dark without it, but the complexion of the movie would be different and it wouldn’t be fueling the kind of conversation that’s driving business.”
Variety
I was perusing reviews on youtube, and this one warmed my heart. It appears the show is definitely IN with some children.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCSHj3VjjR4
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/2/10
I like the kids' opinions but the interviewer was a little pushy and doesn't seem to have much experience talking to kids...as she pretty much tried to tell them what to say and how to react. They were doing well enough on their own.
I'm going to see it for a second time with my friend next weekend. I was really happy when the box office estimates came out, just like LES MISERABLES, it's doing really well on it's own this holiday season.
Since I don't think anyone has said anything about it yet, I loved how the visually presented Cinderella at the Grave. I could listen to Joanna Riding all day long.
@StageManager2
Even before the Narrator is killed in the musical things were going nuts.
"Since I don't think anyone has said anything about it yet, I loved how the visually presented Cinderella at the Grave. I could listen to Joanna Riding all day long."
That was beautiful!
One thing I noticed was at the very end, during the reprise of 'Into the Woods', instead of filming a new clip of Cinderella saying "I wish", they just re-used a clip of her singing at her mother's grave from earlier in the movie.
That surprised me because I thought they'd show a new clip of her maybe at the Baker's house, or on a wooded path, or really anywhere else. Why recycle a clip from earlier in the film? That was just a little visually jarring to me. It makes the statement Sondheim seems to be making - that we never stop wishing for things, even when we should be satisfied - kind of nonexistent, since we see Cinderella back at her mother's grave at the beginning of the story, so it's really just a meaningless flashback. Anyone else have any thoughts?
One of my favorite ways that a stage production ended Into the Woods was with Cinderella saying "I wish" and all the other characters glaring at her like...ARE YOU SERIOUS?
I would guess reusing her at the tree is probably indicative of maybe she might have wished she hadn't had such a lofty wish. Maybe she should have wished for that "Middle" she spoke about with the Prince.
I loved the repeated shot of Cinderella at her mother's grave with "I wish."
It works so well for me because they flash back to that moment, and it makes me think ( as the audience), knowing what we know about how things worked out, if she could go back to that moment in time, would she do it all again and wish for it?
That's something you can't do in a stage production with such limited time. I loved that touch in the film.
I saw it again today, and I think I actually liked it more the second time. This is easily my favorite film adaptation of a musical since Chicago.
Dreamgirls was great, but gutted a little too much of the score for me, and Hairspray was great with the one misfire of Travolta playing Edna "legit" rather than a more campy Harvey/Divine spin. It took a lot of edge out of the overall tone. Both are damn good, though.
While Chicago departed greatly from the stage version, it was improved, IMO.
Into the Woods is wonderfully faithful to the stage production even with its trims and tucks. And the cast is so uniformly excellent. I really reveled in each of their performances again today.
So ... go, Rob Marshall and do what ever you want to do next. Yeah, Nine was a bit of a misfire (with some shining moments), but you have delivered my two favorite movie musical adaptations of the past 15 years.
*bows respectfully*
I'm going to have to see it agian. When I saw it, I was slightly tired. Though I enjoyed it, I think I'd enjoy it more if I wasn't so sleepy.
Already when I see the musical I get lulled to a relaxation that isn't boredom, just a comfort...like snuggling. That combined with my tired didn't mix well. I was nodding during the last 20 minutes. Never fell asleep, but wanted to.
There are so many things I enjoyed about the film that was because it couldn't be done on the stage...the flashbacks were interesting because that's not possible on the stage version as well as Agony with the river. Oh and the use of horses. I liked how the Princes rode past each other and then came back together. The witch teleporting here and there...liked that.
@best12bars, I agree with that all the way.
"I liked how the Princes rode past each other and then came back together."
That got one of the bigger laughs in my theater. The two princes riding right past each other, crossing, then exiting out of frame. A couple of beats later they ride back in toward each other. Very nice setup!
My favorite line was when a blind Lucy Punch told the Giant something like "I just saw him!" I honestly could not stop laughing.
One of the coolest comments I heard from a friend who loves movies but doesn't always dig musicals ...
He said, "When I was watching it, I forgot it was a musical."
He explained that because the songs were generally short and went in and out of dialogue a lot, it just felt like one seamless story.
I absolutely loved that observation. And I agreed with him. There were times when I forgot it was a musical, because the storytelling was always the focus, without a break or a calling of attention to the "now we're going to sing" moments.
I forgot it was a musical because they cut so much of the score.
KIDDING!
my husband who watched the filmed broadway version, and the regents park production and strongly disliked both was ecstatic when we left the theatre today, he thought it "fixed" the issues with the stage versions, namely the plodding nature of act two.
I'm hoping word of mouth on this is good and gets more butts into seats. That will be the real test. I'm glad it opened strong, but the next two weeks will really determine its box office success.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/24/11
"my husband who watched the filmed broadway version, and the regents park production and strongly disliked both was ecstatic when we left the theatre today, he thought it "fixed" the issues with the stage versions, namely the plodding nature of act two."
I feel sorry for your husband who missed the extreme glory of what is the greatest production of Into the Woods (and I love, love LOVE the movie), the Regents Park production. Though I saw it live, not on video (coincidentally though, they taped the production I saw) I'm sure it's brilliance comes through. I missed the Central Park production which was based on it.
@Sarahb22
The versions I've seen the Princes do that on foot pretending (or as it appeared they were) to be on horses by galloping. It stuck out in my mind as a great moment in the film. Which made me wish for the second Agony so bad...their brotherly chemistry was awesome during that song.
I did laugh at that. Through most of the funny parts I actually did laugh and sometimes I was the only one and that's cause I've seen it before and some of it was because I just thought it was funny. That play moves at such a pace that if you're not paying attention, you miss a lot of funny moments.
Whether or not it was appropriate I don't think the creators would mind. I think every moment (is a moment in the woods) has its own humor. It's own justice. I just love that musical so much. It is the only musical and play that I can see over and over again and would see every version possible. I was upset that I missed some of the high school productions this year.
Updated On: 12/28/14 at 10:22 PM
The Witch's transformation scene was excellently well done on a film-making standard, so was "Last Midnight".
Rob Marshall and Dion Beebe should get John Myhre and Colleen Atwood for FOLLIES, that would make my life complete.
Anyone else notice they played part of "Overture/Night Waltz" from 'A Little Night Music" when they panned over to the First Night of Prince Charming's Party.
Videos