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In unusual numbers, we’ll be singing and dancing this fall — at least onscreen

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In unusual numbers, we'll be singing and dancing this fall — at least onscreen

As a long-time movie enthusiast who has witnessed the ebb and flow of various genres throughout the decades, I must say that the current resurgence of musical films is nothing short of enchanting. Having grown up with classics like “The Sound of Music” and “West Side Story,” it’s heartening to see these timeless stories continue to captivate audiences today.

Among the exciting highlights of the upcoming movie season are several musical productions set to hit theaters: “Joker: Folie à Deux” starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, produced by Warner Bros. (October 4); Netflix’s melodramatic crime drama “Emilia Pérez,” available in limited release starting November 1; Universal’s screen adaptation of the Broadway musical “Wicked,” scheduled for November 22; Netflix’s princess adventure “Spellbound,” also set for November 22; Disney’s sequel to the animated hit “Moana,” due on November 27; and a CGI prequel, “Mufasa: The Lion King,” coming December 20.

This extensive list doesn’t cover all the music-related films currently circulating in fall film festivals that could secure release dates soon. These include Pablo Larraín’s biopic about Maria Callas titled “Maria” featuring Angelina Jolie, Joshua Oppenheimer’s apocalyptic film “The End”, Anderson .Paak’s Korean-based story “K-Pops”, and Rebel Wilson’s directorial venture, “The Deb.

Over just three months, there’s been an unusual abundance of musical genres with a blend of cartoon tales, live-action movies, kid-friendly content, and more unconventional choices. Interestingly, only one is a rendition of a popular stage production (even though it will be divided into two parts with the films being released a year apart for “Wicked”).

In unusual numbers, we'll be singing and dancing this fall — at least onscreen

It seems that an abundance of musicals and dance-centric films have been released this year, similar to how “Chicago” in 2002 found success following the Sept. 11 attacks and “La La Land” in 2016 provided solace after Trump’s election victory. This genre has been particularly attractive during or after exceptional circumstances. Given our current situation – such as a global pandemic, economic recession, and a significant presidential election – these films might provide audiences with the emotional resolutions they are seeking on screen.

Desirée J. Garcia, a professor at Dartmouth College and author of ‘The Movie Musical,’ points out that when society experiences tough times with economic difficulties and societal strife, making us feel fragmented, music can offer a harmonious message of optimism and strength. She explains that this genre often concludes with unity and resolution, providing a way for people to overcome any disagreements or discord.

But just because characters suddenly belt out lyrics doesn’t mean their stories are all escapist entertainment. “Movies like ‘Gold Diggers of 1933’ that were in response to the Great Depression, or ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and ‘Cabaret,’ which were released during the 1970s — they really spoke to the dark side of humanity,” Garcia adds. “These musicals made a real comment on what the world had become and reflected society back to itself in a very real way. And it’s precisely the cynicism and disillusionment of such times to which the musical has historically ministered.”

In unusual numbers, we'll be singing and dancing this fall — at least onscreen

Despite the unpredictability of the current cinema landscape, musical films continue to make a splash at the box office. For instance, “The Little Mermaid” and “Wonka” were among the top-earning movies in 2023, with “Wish” and “Trolls Band Together” also raking in over $200 million globally.

Kevin Goetz, founder and CEO of Screen Engine/ASI, points out that musicals often have the ability to become huge box office successes due to their capacity to attract a multitude of families. Goetz explained to The Times that in contrast to films of the past which strove to cater to all four demographics (male and female audiences, as well as those aged under 25 and over), modern titles must captivate the majority of eight audience segments: boys, girls, mothers, fathers, teenage boys, teenage girls, adult males without children, and adult females without children.

He notes that “Wonka” was an outstanding hit, appealing to a wide range of audiences, particularly six or seven different groups. This is why it garnered $632 million worldwide. He explains that the film’s charm, combined with its release during the holiday season—ideal for family movies—made it an ideal choice for everyone: “Someone in my family really wants to see it, it looks fun enough, I’ll go see it with them.” This broad appeal drew audiences from all eight demographics, ultimately leading to its exceptional success.

In unusual numbers, we'll be singing and dancing this fall — at least onscreen

Similar to “Wonka” and “The Little Mermaid,” the four musicals set for theatrical debut this year can be considered more as continuations of popular stories rather than groundbreaking artistic innovations, according to Karie Bible, a film historian and box office analyst at Exhibitor Relations. They aren’t likely to take major risks since they are all derived from cherished intellectual properties, ensuring they already have a dedicated fanbase.

It’s logical that the two unique musicals of this season – “Emilia Pérez,” a Mexican crime title about gender transition, which won awards at Cannes earlier this year, and “Spellbound,” an animated fantasy with songs by the duo behind “Tangled” – will be premiering on Netflix. This is because streaming platforms have the capability to precisely target audiences that would find these shows appealing.

In unusual numbers, we'll be singing and dancing this fall — at least onscreen

In today’s context, it’s becoming increasingly challenging for productions, whether musicals or otherwise, to captivate theater audiences. As Goetz points out, there are more people attending theaters now than before, but they’re watching fewer films. So, if you’re asking audiences to spend money on tickets, concessions, and parking at a theater, your production needs to be something truly special – one of the few movies they decide to watch in a year.

This year’s movies that have exceeded expectations – such as ‘Deadpool & Wolverine,’ ‘Twisters,’ and ‘It Ends With Us’ – are highly anticipated events for their respective audiences. These film productions are so captivating that people are eagerly rushing to cinemas to watch them. To me, some of these musical movies hold the potential to be real events, and there lies a great deal of opportunity for the perfect one.

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2024-09-07 14:05

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