Paddington Bway Transfer Possible? - Page 2

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 12/1/25 at 10:49am

inception said: "It could take a very long time to recoup in North America. Last year's film Paddington in Perus did very well in the UK but only grossed $45.8 million in North America. It dropped out if thectop ten at the American box office in its sixth week according to Wikipedia.

Disney should just steal the puppet tech & do a Winnie the Pooh show."

To be fair, it had a very bizarre release schedule, premiering in the States three months after its release in the UK with very little fanfare. I remember seeing all the press coverage when it opened in the UK and then continually wondering about its US release until it came and went with, what felt to me, barely (bearly?) any promotion. 
 

Update: it actually looks like Paddington in Peru made more than Paddington 2 in the US, proving everyone’s point that it’s just not a super popular property here. 

Updated On: 12/1/25 at 10:49 AM

[Kad]

Posted: 12/1/25 at 10:53am

It may not be as beloved an IP here, but I do think the feat and spectacle of the bear itself could be a major draw. And unlike other examples, it’s something that can leave the theater and go onto talk shows and social media and events and become its own selling point and spokesbear. It’s essentially star casting without a star. 

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 12/1/25 at 10:57am

If anything it should have a short run on Broadway to see if it has a positive reception there, with extensions built in if it gets good reviews 

[binau]

Posted: 12/1/25 at 11:22am

witchoftheeast2 said: "If anything it should have a short run on Broadway to see if it has a positive reception there, with extensions built in if it gets good reviews"

This isn't how the economics work for these large shows, the only way to make it financially viable would be to plan a long run. 

 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/1/25 at 11:23am

Kad said: "It may not be as beloved an IP here, but I do think the feat and spectacle of the bear itself could be a major draw. And unlike other examples, it’s something that can leave the theater and go onto talk shows and social media and events and become its own selling point and spokesbear. It’s essentially star casting without a star."

I agree. I think the hype, plus the show would sell it very well and it would be an instant family staple. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 12/1/25 at 11:25am

witchoftheeast2 said: "If anything it should have a short run on Broadway to see if it has a positive reception there, with extensions built in if it gets good reviews"

I don't understand how that would make any sense.  i would assume that he upfront investment for the same quality production to run three months would be the same as to run for years...maybe a little difference re advertising, but the physical production, rehearsal costs, etc., would be the same, wouldn't they?

I have to admit that I am in the camp that doesn't think this would be a slam dunk.  Paddington is not part of the culture here the way it is in England.  At the projected budget, it needs to do capacity business for a long time (couple of years?)  at full prices.  It may be my bias, but seeing a musical about the Paddington bear doesn't hit my 'gotta get tickets right away' buttons, great reviews or not.

[Observation]

Posted: 12/1/25 at 11:48am

I hope this transfers.

I think people are craving a well produced, directed, and written feel good show. 

[DaveyG]

Posted: 12/1/25 at 11:54am

inception said: "Yup I can't see it working long term in NY. It will be like Stranger Things. It might start strong but won't stay there long term."

IMHO, the colossal difference between Stranger Things and Paddington: Stranger Things is a terrible play with some cool effects. Paddington is absolutely wonderful. Yes, Paddington will cost a fortune to mount on Broadway but I think it has a shot to run for years. 

Updated On: 12/1/25 at 11:54 AM

[justherehanging]

Posted: 12/2/25 at 4:36am

I had the opportunity to see this show.  It was truly a magical show, I felt like the writing of the songs was so fresh and the songs kept the plot going unlike a lot of musicals lately where they’re just throwing in a song for throwing a song in if that makes sense. 
 

Every single character was well developed. All the actors were incredible.  Great costumes and sets!  It had just a great message and it’s been a long time that I was actually that surprised on how much I love a show.

I truly felt like it was an uplifting experience of the theater that have not felt in a long time, I was impressed from start to finish, and it wasn’t just about the bear costume.  I know that sounds strange, but after a moment, you really forget, it’s just a person in a costume because the story was so well developed. It just felt very natural.

I hope it comes to New York, but I agree I don’t think they’re going to rush.  

[malcs98]

Posted: 12/8/25 at 2:20pm

Kad said: "It may not be as beloved an IP here, but I do think the feat and spectacle of the bear itself could be a major draw. And unlike other examples, it’s something that can leave the theater and go onto talk shows and social media and events and become its own selling point and spokesbear. It’s essentially star casting without a star."

Kad, I was gonna comment on one of your earlier post but you’re ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, it is an extremely effective marketing tool. I mean already they did that adorable video with British Vogue and a duet with the show’s composer Tom Fletcher of “The Explorer & The Bear” on Strictly Come Dancing (which of course made me tear up). If they keep it up with this tactic, there’s no doubt in my mind that investors and producers will take notice and get it to transfer to New York sooner than we think. Maybe it takes the St. James by Fall 2026? 

Updated On: 12/8/25 at 02:20 PM

[Timon3]

Posted: 12/8/25 at 7:53pm

Guys it is going to happen, Sonia Friedman doesn’t do small scale.

Can you imagine a billboard with Paddington on it, with the caption ‘Paddington arrives on Broadway’ or ‘Paddington lands in New York’ or ‘New York Please take Care of this Bear’ or Tom Fletcher with Paddington on the Stephen Colbert show. There was no buzz about Paddington until the first performance and Paddington as the character with a reporter on the news, then it went mental.

Finally on the downside and that is the shrinking media coverage in Journalism, the days are gone that Ben Brantley went to London and reviewed, those op-eds sealed the deal for Billy Elliot, Matilda and Groundhog Day.

Updated On: 12/8/25 at 07:53 PM

[SingingEachtoEach]

Posted: 12/8/25 at 8:51pm

My Neighbor Totoro hasn't come to the US despite glowing reviews in London and playing in a couple theaters there (they do treat the puppets as a spoiler).  I took my kid to see that one on a trip to London. So I'm not sure it will transfer.

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/9/25 at 12:12am

I know "who" Paddington is. I have never seen the movies or anything associated with the character, however, that performance on "Strictly..." got me, and if I have the chance, I will see the musical.

Updated On: 12/9/25 at 12:12 AM

[binau]

Posted: 12/9/25 at 2:20am

" There was no buzz about Paddington until the first performance and Paddington as the character with a reporter on the news, then it went mental."

It's wild to think - and you're so right. There was barely any buzz. It was easy to get a ticket before performances started, no one was really sure if this was something to be excited about or not. I wonder if the producers were actually a bit nervous about it. Then suddenly 1 performance and it's a massive viral hit. 

[OhHiii]

Posted: 12/9/25 at 6:14am

Sonia Friedman is nothing if not a *smart* producer. She’s smart enough and has complained enough about the costs to open a show this big on NYC to say there’s a 80/20 chance she keeps this on London. Paddington is a distinctly British IP and it would be a massive risk on Broadway. 

After Cursed Child floundering pre-pandemic when it was 2 parts at risk of not recouping and Stranger Things losing hundreds of thousands of dollars week in and week out, I’d put my money on this staying in London. 

[shomeika]

Posted: 12/9/25 at 6:16am

I loved the first Paddington film, didn't catch the second, but I read the third film - at least in the States - didn't burn up the boxoffice like the predecessors -- bringing in somewhere in the 40 mil range.  It sort of came and .....went. Reviews were decent, and it's still in my "queue".

I want to see this show, somewhere, but my question is -  IS this franchise as popular here in the States as elsewhere?  I don't have kids, so I don't know!

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/9/25 at 7:44am

The first film is wonderful. The second film is perfect and the third film is less so, but still great. I can’t wait for the fourth one in a couple years. 

I’m not going to say one way or another how this would do in the states. I could say (having seen it) it’s extremely British and written to be an ode to London with MANY references to cockney rhyming and things specific to London/Britain. And I know how this conversation goes - “Well they can just change those few things/people can look it up/it’s not a big deal/etc etc” so I’m not even going to try to go into my thoughts on how it would do stateside. 

But no, Paddington is nowhere near as popular in the states as it is in the UK.

And the musical is absolutely wonderful. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/9/25 at 7:57am

Broadway hasn't had a big hit family musical in a long time. So I think Paddington would do well over here if they can adjust the script/writing for US audiences.

[Ensemble1711444445]

Posted: 12/9/25 at 8:04am

I think the show is good enough to stand on its own. Word of mouth is so strong, it will come over with some Oliviers and the IP is enough to have some awareness already. The question will be how much it costs to run and is it Harry Potter or Stranger Things? Can it make money here? Good for them for creating something so universally loved by critics and audiences. 

[CJRochester]

Posted: 12/9/25 at 3:38pm

This is so cute. I hope they bring it over. I think the show would do well in the states. 

Paddington and Tom Fletcher team up for a musical performance of "The Bear in the Ballroom" on BBC Strictly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndl0bmi45gw

[Timon3]

Posted: 12/9/25 at 4:06pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Paddington isn’t a cultural phenomenon in America like it is in the UK. It would be very interesting to see how something like this fares in America."

Okay but was Roald Dahl and Matilda a cultural phenomenon, I don’t remember it at high school?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/9/25 at 5:09pm

Everyone I know read Matilda and other Dahl books in elementary school.  Im not arguing anything for this show one way or another, I literally said “I’m not going to say one way or another how this would do in the states.”

 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 12/9/25 at 5:14pm

Timon3 said: "Jordan Catalano said: "Paddington isn’t a cultural phenomenon in America like it is in the UK. It would be very interesting to see how something like this fares in America."

Okay but was Roald Dahl and Matilda a cultural phenomenon, I don’t remember it at high school?"

I feel like... everyone grew up with Roald Dahl books? And the movies adapted from them? How old are you?

[Fireplace]

Posted: 12/9/25 at 5:51pm

Paddington won’t do well on Broadway.  Nobody knows or cares about him. 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 12/9/25 at 5:52pm

Fireplace said: "Paddington won’t do well on Broadway. Nobody knows or cares about him."

Well, Flash, if you say it, it must be true!!!!!!!!!!!!