Company Town Film Profit Report

This 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 represent only 20% of a film’s final revenue, which includes income from video, TV and overseas theatrical release. Typical industry marketing costs are factored into this profit analysis. Results for the weekend of Sept. 29-Oct. 1:

Highlights: “Remember the Titans” should be a solid profit maker for Disney. The only downside is its limited appeal overseas. “Beautiful” will not break even, though Destination should clear its $3.5-million investment for domestic rights once all ancillaries are counted.

$$ Mega-Moneymakers ($50 million or more in profit)

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Projected U.S. Box- Estimated box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Bring It On Universal 5 $10 $65

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$ Moneymakers ($10 million or more in profit)

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Projected U.S. Box- Estimated box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions What Lies Beneath DreamWorks/Fox 9 $100 $155 Space Cowboys Warner Bros. 11 65 92 Remember the Titans Buena Vista 1 30 65 The Exorcist Warner Bros. 2 1 40

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? Tossups ($5 million in profit or loss)

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Projected U.S. Box- Estimated box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions The Watcher Universal 6 $33 $30 Nurse Betty USA 7 24 25 Urban Legends 2 Sony 4 14 21

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Losers (more than $5 million in loss)

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Projected U.S. Box- Estimated box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Almost Famous DreamWorks 3 $60 $40 Bait Warner Bros. 8 35 15 Woman on Top Fox Searchlight 12 8 5 Beautiful Destination 10 9 4

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