Well, if anyone has checked back at Box Office Mojo, Ratatouille’s number 2 at the box office, right below Transformers. That’s still impressive for an animated film. I’m not sure of Ratatouille’s budget (does anyone know?!!), but after 6 days, it’s made 72 million in the U.S. I still have faith that the film will be successful. After 6 days of release, Cars was up to about 78 million dollars, and it became a success. Please, if anyone knows the budget, tell me!
slyfence - Thanks for the info! So it didn’t beat Transformers…oh well! It’s still in a strong number two at least.
And no, I haven’t seen any budget info yet… 
slyfence and Bill - Thanks for the information! 
Well, I guess it’s doing fairly well. That’s alot of numbers, so I shouldn’t complain. Every time I go to see the film the theater is packed, so worry is something I’m not experiencing right now. (snigger)
Wow! Up to 80 million! On IMDB, it say’s the movie’s budget is around 100 million (which sound’s pretty accurate), so just 20 million more!
ROBONICS95 - Haha – my dad, sister, and I were one of the many attendees that browsed/stopped by the Soday Fountain Studio Store last Saturday. The have the coolest stuff (ie., original posters that go for $100+, dessert plates, silverware, aprons, books, mugs/cups, costers, plush toys, pins, and more…). It would have been a crime shame had I (or, my dad rather) not bought anything.
Thanks for the information, ROBONICS95!
I take it back…big time. The gross estimates for this film have hit the roof, and I’m not at all surprised! It deserves the recognition it’s getting, and thank goodness it’s getting it.
– Mitch
ROBONICS - Ah, yes. Here comes the word of mouth factor!
Thanks for the info.
Opening weekend numbers are overrated anyway.
Amen to that, rachel!
Too Early to “Write Off” Ratatouille?
Jim cracks me up…
Alright, here’s the deal: (Eheh – yeah, I’m mad now! Watch me explode…) Ratatouille was a great little film; the very fact that it is often described as small, yet fantastic, is, in itself, a great achievement on Pixar’s part. My only complaint on the matter is how much critics and various viewers seem to depend on box office estimates and grosses when it comes to the success of a film…
I’m gonna be honest here and say this: Who cares how much income a particular film makes…as long as the production itself is decent and of high-quality as far as story and character development goes? Who cares whether or not Ratatouille shovels one buck or a zilliion bucks into its furry coat pocket? Who…the heck…cares?? That’s what I’d like to know…and fast. Seriously, it’s not the quantity of the film that matters, but the quality: the heart; the soul; the message; the deliveration… Sheesh, dudes, does everything have to be about finances and eye-catching animation just to claim that a film is good siimply for those aspects and those details only? It makes no sense, dude!
I compare, with my tupperware, the fact of the matter, and the fact of the matter is that…is that everyone has different opinions. Heh – well yeah. Duh! That’s the obvious statement. The integral interrogation I want answered concerns that of the film itself: Why? Why quantity? Because the audience cares, that’s why. Why does the mass audience – the majority of viewers – go to see a noteable film week after week after solemn, work-loaded week? Because they appreciate good quantity and will only appreciate the quantity if it is partnered alongside a quality coworker.
Taking Ratatouille into consideration, you notice several differentiating (yet significant) aspects. You want a good story? Delivered! In need of a little sizzling flavor? Got it. Up to falling in love with a couple of characters that didn’t even exist some years back? Check…mate. Yeah, check mate indeed. I’ve got the check (that’s the cash that supposedly spells “success” upon a film – if it doesn’t do well at the box office, then what is it?) and the mate (a comparatively well-rounded and intimate story-line coupled with brilliant animation and candle-lit, mesmorizing settings). Is money an object? In many cases, that would be a “yes”, but I’d still go for the “mate” factor…
Think about this now: What would you rather see: Shrek the Third or Ratatouille? Heck, I would choose the clothes in Ratatouille over those in its computer animated competitor. I might even go far enough to say that Trasnformers faces competition, but we’re not gonna go there…
So yeah. Eheh. Money. Everything is about money. Thankfully, not everyone focuses on that (thank goodness). There are still a good handful of people out there that have great “taste”…
– Mitch
P.S./Edit - My gosh, I’m so sorry I “blew up” like that. I finally sparked a plug. Eheh… 
Don’t worry, Mitch. You were just being passionate.
To be honest, as long as Ratatouille gets a decent return (and I think it will), then Pixar will be happy. Pixar have to make a profit obviously, so they can continue making movies.
Everywhere I look, people are going crazy for this movie. And if you are going to mention Ratatouille’s under performance at the box office weekend without stressing that this is getting rave reviews, than you are a fool if you think people won’t notice that you are not giving credit where credit is due.
The only ones who really dwell on the supposed “box office failure” of Ratatouille, would be the suits at Disney, the shareholders, and critics (or people with blogs) with a vendetta against Pixar - I’m looking at you Jim Hill. Yet the critical acclaim Ratatouille is getting everywhere, is overlooked. A bit unfair, but it really does speak volumes about them and their priorities, rather than Pixar or Ratatouille.
What is more important to you: financial success or quality? More importantly, which one will stand the test of time?
And for those that stress the importance of Pixar’s earnings, I ask you this: In 50 years’ time, which of these movies do you think will hold up: Finding Nemo or Shark Tale? Shrek or Monsters, Inc.? Ratatouille or Shrek the Third?
Money cannot make up for sub-par films. The financial earnings that Pixar may end up losing out on, are insignificant to the fact that these movies are classics and will be enjoyed for many years to come. They will also cement Pixar’s place in animation. They are the new Disney.
Hopefully, in a few of decades people will tell their grandchildren of the first time they witnessed a Pixar instant classic in the cinema, and reminisce fondly with them. Or even better, they could pull out that “classic” Pixar movie, and enjoy it with them. Because these movies are milestones and will stay with us forever. To me, that is more important that the supposed “financial losses” of today.
It’s a Jim Hill article… I need not say more.
rachel - Yes, yes! (I’m gonna quote Skinner here…) Exactly!!
My point exactly. Everyone whom I’ve come in contact with who has seen Ratatouille gives the film praise and acclaim; plazas and major cities I have attended are littered with numerous posters advertising the production; Disney Store visitors – young and old – take their time to browse (and sometimes purchase) the merchandise that screams out “Rats!” without saying a word…
I agree in that a studio requires revenue to continue to make films, and I’ll say right now that Pixar is definitely earning the income it deserves. I really have no doubt that Ratatouille will continue to dazzle audiences for years to come, even if its initial box office gross is not spectacular. I love the film too much to care about anything but the quality…
– Mitch
Exactly! These DreamWorks films rely on pop-culture references to get the humor they need. This may work today, but much of it won’t work with future audiences. Why do you think Disney animated films have stood the test of time? They don’t rely on pop-culture references.
rachel - Exactly. Dreamworks makes small packages of candy - it’s great for a while, but no one’s going to remember it as a classic the way Pixar makes their movies.
Pixar’s too good not to make a classic all thier movies are (especailly cars 
)
l&gf4l - I completely agree.
Well everyone, (I hate to keep posting these things) but Ratatouille has broke the 100 million dollar mark in the U.S.! I think that about covers it’s budget. And Disney thought this movie would bomb…
I don’t think Disney thought this movie would bomb. Jim Hill had stated that certain Disney staff members would want this to bomb. Probably the same staff members that have helped the Walt Disney Company lose some of it’s focus on quality. John L. is there cleaning house now for the better and he’s bound to make a few simple minded folks very angry.
Bob Iger (Walt Disney Company CEO) did not expect this think to bomb…