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. U.S. returns (about 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 Nov. 20-22:

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The modestly budgeted “Rugrats” should bring in heaps from its theatrical release, as well as merchandising, home video and TV syndication. Unless it can effectively hold on through Christmas, Disney’s action entry “Enemy of the State” will be fighting to make money. Two smaller-budgeted films, Woody Allen’s “Celebrity” and the controversial “American History X,” are unlikely to break even.

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$$ Mega-Moneymakers

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions The Waterboy Disney 3 $23 $150 Rugrats Paramount 1 25 100

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$ Minor Moneymakers

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Box- Estimated office cost, in Movie title Studio rank millions Antz DreamWorks SKG 9 $45 I Still Know What You Did.. Sony 5 25 The Wizard of Oz Warner Bros 11 NA

Projected U.S. box-office receipts, Movie title in millions Antz $90 I Still Know What You Did.. 45 The Wizard of Oz 17

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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 Pleasantville New Line 7 42 40 Enemy of the State New Line 2 85 80

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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 Meet Joe Black Universal 4 $90 $50 I’ll Be Home For Christmas Disney 7 16 12 The Siege Fox 6 63 45 Celebrity Miramax 10 16 7 American History X New Line 12 11 6

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Notes: Cost estimates are for production only. Only half of box-office receipts come back to the studio. NA = not applicable.

Researched by RICHARD NATALE

If you have information or comments about the chart, call (213) 237-2001 or send e-mail to company.town@latimes.com. Send faxes to (213) 237-7837.

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