Universal Pictures has announced plans for a third "Trolls" movie. The as-yet-untitled film will be released in theaters on November 17, 2023.
In particular, the next installment in the family animated franchise is deviating from the release pattern of its predecessor, which unexpectedly rocked the movie exhibition industry last year. Universal planned to release "Trolls World Tour" in March 2020, just before COVID-19 forced movie theaters around the world to close. Rather than delay the film until theaters could reopen, the studio decided to put it on the digital rental service the same day it debuted in theaters. However, almost all multiplexes (except for select drive-ins) were closed, so the only option for the public was to watch "Trolls World Tour" at home. Needless to say, the theater operators weren't thrilled.
Directors: Tim Heitz, Colin Jack
Stars: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Rolando Davila-Beltran
It wasn't until Universal CEO Jeff Shell later touted the lucrative on-demand revenue, suggesting the company would go ahead with simultaneous releases in post-pandemic times. In response, AMC and Cinemark, two of the largest movie theater chains, have vowed to boycott Universal movies. Since then, Universal and the major movie circuits have struck a deal to shorten the theater window and bring movies home more quickly.
With its entire movie slate, Universal can put new movies on digital platforms in as little as 17 days. However, titles that generate at least $50 million in opening weekend ticket sales will have to run exclusively in theaters for 31 days, or five full weekends. Universal's theatrical window is considerably shorter than its rivals, most of which plan to keep movies in theaters for 45 days before moving to online rentals.
“Trolls World Tour” grossed $47 million at the international box office (during COVID-19) and another $100 million on streaming platforms in its opening weekends. Although Universal will likely not report the final number of digital transactions, it was evidently more than enough to warrant another stellar turn for the plastic, furry dolls. The first film, 2016's "Trolls," brought in $350 million at the worldwide box office and earned an Oscar nomination for Justin Timberlake's hit "Can't Stop the Feeling."
For families with young children who can't wait until 2023 to see more of Poppy and Branch's adventures, NBC premieres "Trolls Holiday in Harmony," an all-new special featuring the voices of Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake. It will air on Friday, November 26 at 9 p.m. Eastern/Pacific. In the holiday-themed episode, Queen Poppy is planning the inaugural Trolls Kingdom Secret Christmas Gift Exchange. But things take an unexpected turn when she and Branch draw each other's names.
Theater owners criticized Universal for opting for a PVOD release for Trolls World Tour and urged that the decision be a one-off and not a new normal for Hollywood. Exhibitors argued that a film's home entertainment potential rested on an initial theatrical run, a model Universal seems to be returning to with Trolls 3, where home entertainment will not be a substitute for an exclusive release. in theaters.
The original film in the Trolls franchise was released in 2016 and grossed nearly $350 million at the worldwide box office.
“Trolls” has become a major property for Universal because beyond the movie franchise, it benefits from all the fringe benefits—video games, lunch boxes, toys, sleeping bags, and concert tours—that lend themselves to a children's movie.
Watch Trolls 3 Movie 2023 Trailer
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