Why do some movies get released widely and some limited?

Question

You would think they would want to release them widely to attract more movie goers and more money. It's frustrating to those who can not fly to a major city like New York or L.A. to see a movie they have been wanting to see, but discover that it will not be possible. Why do they do that?

Answer 1

Because it costs the producers of the movie MONEY to make the extra prints to release it widely... and if they're not sure of the film's appeal, that would be money down the drain !!

I also believe the studios pay a fee to the theater to show the movie... quickly recouped if sales are good. But again, if the movie doesn't have a wide appeal... more money down the drain.

THAT is why many movies go into a Limited release... then Nation Wide...

Answer 2

What Robert S said plus toward the end of the year if a studio has a film they think has Oscar potential, they'll open it in limited release so it's eligible for nomination. Then they promote the heck out of it to the Academy and when the film gets some nominations there's more potential box office draw, so more theaters will run it.

It's all about the money - the big studios have it and the indies wish they did.

Answer 3

in the event that they do nicely in the limited launch, if adequate human beings bypass see it, then the studio makes a decision a much broader launch date. i do no longer think of there's a particular time-physique like: if this is launched and does nicely this is launched everywhere else 3 wks later. yet, besides, if in ordinary terms some human beings bypass see it it makes the studio think of that if this is positioned out for extensive launch no longer alot of ppl will bypass see it and that's going to be a waste of money, so as that they do no longer. Which sucks if there's a action picture which you somewhat decide to work out that doesn't do nicely and does not get extensive launched. and oftentimes each and every time something says the launch date it will say "extensive launch date: */*/**" in parenthesis.

Answer 4

budgets warrent the release openings and their numbers. if a film does ok more are released to help make more money back to pay for the film.

Answer 5

it depends on how much they bring in at the box office. making movies is expensive so if they dont make enough enuff while showing them at first they stop because it cost money to keep them playing in theaters.

Answer 6

some are independant films while others are more blockbuster-type movies