I think Pixar films should be released on the same day world wide, instead of these silly staggered release dates. If the film was a worldwide release Disney would be able to release every Pixar film as a blockbuster events, like with the Harry Potter and Star Wars movies and the like. Also it would maybe curb piracy of their films. I don’t think I would ever download a Pixar film for the purpose of watching it because I want the first time to be in a cinema in excellent quality, but frankly I don’t blame others who choose to do this because their country isn’t getting a Pixar film until months later. I have to wait until September now because Disney once again pulled the rug from under me and delayed the release date, 3 years in a row as a Pixar fan. As far as I’m aware, it’s because they wait until the US is finished with the used movie reels, then they send them down here.
So, should Pixar go for the worldwide release date or keep them staggered as they are?
Well, as someone who has to wait until October for Up, I concur that a worldwide release for Pixar films would be the best thing. But there must be a few reasons why there are staggered release dates in the first place (aside from the movie reel thing- although that might be a part of it, I wonder whether it’s the only reason)? Part of it might be to do with competition with other films and that sort of thing, but Pixar films have always done well even when released alongside other big films, and I can’t see how that would have a massive impact.
Wait, isn’t Up presented in Disney Digital 3D, hence using digital projection, thus the reel production excuse can’t fit in?
I completely agree with Rachel (and I’m all for the reduction of piracy!) about these separated releases playing a role in piracy, and how it’s not economically beneficial having different release dates.
It could also be argued that piracy could also be reduced by bringing the dates together because it reflects the DVD release dates - those that have already seen the movie want the DVD can’t get it, so they get a pirated version. Example: Me, in Down Under, watches Up. It’s October. I want the DVD. The DVD is out already in the US. It’s either: a. I could spend $50 getting it from Amazon (most of the cost from shipping), or I could (hypothetical!!!) buy a pirated version locally.
I am more than willing to pay a premium for a more unified release date worldwide. What’s up with these separated continental releases?
I think I’ve made it quite clear how I currently feel about the UK release date for Up!
Pixar have ruined both My Summer and Christmas in having pushed the Summer release into a Fall Release and then they’ve shown their idocracy in putting it in the cinema’s a week earlier than they should have… Not the UK Half Term which Disney has done and will do for all of its movies… Hence Hannah Montana: The Moive’s May 19th UK release- UK Half Term apparently!
I pray that Toy Story 3 doesn’t suffer this 6 Month delay… It is probably the better candidate for World Wide Release… and failure to do so… or at worse give me more than a month delay… Will might result in some SERIOUS action on my part…
I live in America so I can’t complain about the staggered release dates. But seeing tat people all over the world have to wait to watch it, that must be realy hard. I guess for you guys, I would be happy if it was released around the same time.
I find this staggered dates very silly sometimes. I agree with you people. I only have to wait until half August, , but they dub (horribly) the films here (you go to the cinema to see them dubbed (horribly) or you can’t see them in there), although the films with world wide releases also are dubbed (horribly) so that’s not excuse. They also did this August14th thing last year with The Dark Knight (WALL·E was luckily released the 6th lol)
The October release date seem pretty ridiculous and let’s not talk about Japan… I won’t download this film because I want to see it in 3D (never seen a single 3D film xD).
I think that making the films staged longer and longer apart is wrong because people get to see what it looks like before the movie theatres have it but…
The ability to widen the space allows people to get excited about the movie. This way Japan gets time to build up excitement. Plus; if the movie fares poorly and actually is rejected the film can be reduced.
I never did understand the thinking behind staggered release dates for any movie, really. I guess it’s just a thing, you know, the country who makes it gets to see it first or whatever. I cant think of any reverse instances right off the top of my head though (where a movie was released in another country before it came to America, I mean)
I know of movies that have been made in the UK, for example, that have been released in America before in the UK. It doesn’t happen often, but it’s especially annoying when it does. Either way, a worldwide release system would avoid all of that stuff.
I was looking at the Birch Carrol and Coyle/Greater Union website the other day at upcoming film release dates. I can see why Disney moved Up now, however unfortunate it is.
Up was set for June 04 in Australia… now look at what’s around it
June
4th - Terminator Salvation Rating TBC
24th - Transformers 2 Rating TBC
25th - Hannah Montana G
July
1st - Ice Age 3 Rating TBC
15th - Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince Rating TBC
August
6th - Coraline Rating TBC
And Finally September
3rd - Up Rating TBC
I guess Disney figured that since Terminator is due out also on June 04, people will go see that instead, and although it’s a family movie, it’s Terminator and has the power of a sequel and a reboot. Then on June 24 Transformers 2, another sequel. Although families with younger kids would go see Up, you’ve still lost the crucial older movie going demographic of 15-25, who would all go see T4 and T2. Then on June 25 you have Hannah Montana. Disney isn’t going to put two of its own movies up against itself, I’d just rather they put Up there and moved Hannah Montana. Although more reasoning on that soon.
July is mostly out too with Ice Age 3 and then Harry Potter, both have the power of sequels and being wildly popular. Toy Story 3 we may see a worldwide release as it has the power of a sequel.
August we have Coraline. Although both relatively unknown, I think Disney have figured that they could put it in September, close to Australian holidays and make more money there than they traditionally have elsewhere with kids films. The 15-25 age demo will go see a movie any time of year really, so its catering for the ones that go on school holidays when trying to entertain the kids.
I do think we will see a worldwide or close to worldwide release date with TS3 though…I hope i don’t jinx it
Yeah, I got all the release dates of upcoming movies down too (it’s all in my diary! I’m such a film-nut) and was thinking along the same reasoning, bawpcwpn. I agree with your observation that Pixar would stand a better chance outside the crowded summer season… but the U.S. premieres Up a week after Terminator and Night at the Museum 2 (a family flick), while Singapore does this a week succeeding Terminator and Monsters vs Aliens (another family flick).
The problem is, Australia always has the short end of the stick when it comes to theatrical releases, probably due to geographical proximity or distributor issues or I dunno what excuse. If they plan their release dates properly (and if Disney had more guts to go with a worldwide release), then it would be possible to fit Up into the May 28th slot (same as U.S.) or June 18th (where it would be up against, oh, The Proposal? Or Year One?). Or it could do it Singapore and U.S. style and have Terminator a week before Up, so the families who don’t take their kids to see T4, ‘compensate’ by bringing the tykes to Pixar’s more kid-friendly movie.
In a nutshell, I guess Up will have better luck during the mid-session holiday breaks. But until Oz (and other countries) get earlier release dates (and there’s no reason now with non-reel based Digital technology), people are gonna be turned off from waiting for the cinemas when they can turn on BitTorrent and get a ‘camshot’ version faster.
