Daily Podcast Why Did Steven Spielberg S West Side Story Underperform At The Box Office

Daily Podcast: Why Did Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story Underperform At The Box Office?

By Peter Sciretta/Dec. 13, 2021 4:32 pm EST

On the December 13, 2021 episode of /Film Daily, /Film editorial director Peter Sciretta is joined by /Film news desk writer Ryan Scott to discuss this weekend’s box office, and more specifically the financial failure of Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story.”

Opening Banter: Ryan introduces himself. In The News:

Ryan: West Side Story Box Office Is Not Music To The Film Industry’s Ears

Ryan runs down weekend box office

Can award buzz save it?

This is not the end: (2017’s “The Greatest Showman” debuted to 8.8 million, the soundtrack went trending and ended with $436 million globally)

Why do you think it underperformed? Why weren’t people interested in this one?

Hannah thinks its bad marketing despite great reviews?

Are movie musicals on a decline? (this year “Dear Evan Hanson,” “In The Heights”)

Is it just the pandemic?

Older audiences

Are younger audiences not interested in stories about forbidden interracial romance?

Has Spielberg lost touch with what audiences want? (“The BFG,” “Ready Player One,” “Crystal Skull,” “Tintin”)

On the other side of the coin: Disney’s “Encanto” came out a few weeks ago and “WSS” barely beat that this weekend. That’s another musical, skewing younger and it hasn’t hit big Disney numbers.

“Encanto” Hits Digital Just In Time For Christmas, Blu-Ray Early Next Year

Also mentioned:

Hannah: Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” Set To Bomb With $10.5 Million Opening Weekend

Ryan Scott’s Favorite Movies Of All Time

All the other stuff you need to know:

You can find more about all the stories we mentioned on today’s show at slashfilm.com, and linked inside the show notes.

/Film Daily is published every weekday, bringing you the most exciting news from the world of movies and television as well as deeper dives into the great features from slashfilm.com.

You can subscribe to /Film Daily on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the popular podcast apps (RSS).

Send your feedback, questions, comments and concerns to us at peter@slashfilm.com. Please leave your name and general geographic location in case we mention the e-mail on the air.

Please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts, tell your friends and spread the word!

Thanks to Sam Hume for our logo.

Opening Banter: Ryan introduces himself.

In The News:

Ryan: West Side Story Box Office Is Not Music To The Film Industry’s Ears
Ryan runs down weekend box office
Can award buzz save it?
This is not the end: (2017’s “The Greatest Showman” debuted to 8.8 million, the soundtrack went trending and ended with $436 million globally)
Why do you think it underperformed? Why weren’t people interested in this one?
Hannah thinks its bad marketing despite great reviews?
Are movie musicals on a decline? (this year “Dear Evan Hanson,” “In The Heights”)
Is it just the pandemic?
Older audiences
Are younger audiences not interested in stories about forbidden interracial romance?
Has Spielberg lost touch with what audiences want? (“The BFG,” “Ready Player One,” “Crystal Skull,” “Tintin”)
On the other side of the coin: Disney’s “Encanto” came out a few weeks ago and “WSS” barely beat that this weekend. That’s another musical, skewing younger and it hasn’t hit big Disney numbers.
“Encanto” Hits Digital Just In Time For Christmas, Blu-Ray Early Next Year