Company Town Film Profit Report

The report is based on projections of total U.S. box-office gross from a consensus of industry sources and studio financial models. The U.S. returns (approximately 55% of gross) represent only 20% of a film’s final revenue, which includes overseas theatrical, video and TV income. The industry marketing average of $30 million per film is factored into these profit equations, as is the relative strength of specific film genres in foreign markets. Results for the weekend of March 5-7:

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The comedy “Analyze This” looks to be modestly profitable, as does the teen drama “Cruel Intentions.” But “8 MM” is fading away too quickly and appears unlikely to recover.

$$ Mega-Moneymakers

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions She’s All That Miramax 10 $9 $65 Life Is Beautiful Miramax 11 11 40

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$ Moneymakers

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Payback Paramount 5 52 85 Shakespeare in Love Miramax 9 42 80 Analyze This Warner Bros. 1 45 65 Cruel Intentions Sony 2 10.5 35

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? Tossups

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Message in a Bottle Warner Bros. 8 55 60 October Sky Universal 6 22 22 My Favorite Martian Disney 7 45 40 The Other Sister Disney 4 32 30 Blast From the Past New Line 12 32 28

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Money Losers

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions 8 MM Sony 3 48 40

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Notes: Cost estimates are for production only. Only half of box-office receipts come back to the studio.

Researched by RICHARD NATALE.

If you have information or comments about the chart, call (213) 237-2001 or send e-mail to [email protected]. Send faxes to (213) 237-7837.

For weekly box-office listings, see Calendar section on Tuesdays.