Last month, I noted that The Simpsons Movie had grossed more in its opening weekend than any Pixar film — indeed, more than any animated film that was not a sequel to Shrek (2001) — so I figure it is only fair to post an update on that film’s situation.
Put simply, it looks like The Simpsons Movie will become the first movie ever to gross over $70 million in its opening weekend and not gross over $200 million before it leaves North American theatres. Pixar’s Ratatouille, on the other hand, crossed the $200 million line in North America just this past weekend.
Ah, but here’s where things get interesting. Jim Hill reports today that Ratatouille is still seen as an underperformer, at least by Pixar standards. It took the film 65 days to cross the $200 million line, whereas every other Pixar film since 1999’s Toy Story 2 did it in 44 days or less. And whereas every previous Pixar film, going back to 1995’s Toy Story, was in the Top 5 for its year, it looks like Ratatouille might not even make the Top 10 for 2007.
Add to this the fact that Ratatouille is said to have cost twice as much to make as The Simpsons Movie, as well as the fact that The Simpsons Movie has done much, much better overseas than Ratatouille has, and… well… perhaps The Simpsons Movie really is doing better than Pixar after all, at least with respect to Pixar’s current offerings. Worldwide, The Simpsons Movie has earned $469.4 million so far, whereas Ratatouille has earned $373.4 million, and last year’s Cars came to a halt at $462 million.
Make of all that whatever you will.
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