@Mitch!
Studio Totem Pole as of 2004
1) Universal
Eddie Van Helsing has been Universal's biggest moneymaker this year.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, released last Christmas, is still running in a lot of second run theatres.
2) DreamWorks
DreamWorks' biggest hit of the year has been on the small screen;
The New Ren and Stimpy Adventures. Look for
Shark Tale in theatres later this year.
3) Revolution
50 First Dates,
What's With Andy? and
Hellboy have been Revolution's biggest hits this year. Can
Christmas with the Kranks be number 4 for Revolution? Stay tuned.
4) Disney
The Aviator has reverted back to Hyperion after a messy, aborted attempt to put the film in turnaround at Republic Pictures. The bad taste that the botched transaction left in the mouths of everyone involved could signal Barry Diller's ouster.
Spider-Man 5 is the studio's biggest hit this year. At this point, Leonardo DiCaprio is well on his way to becoming a billionaire. Later this year, look for
National Treasure with Nicolas Cage. Also coming up is
Blade Trinity with Wesley Snipes. Plus
Les Miserables. After six quiet years, the
Star Wars saga will add another chapter with
Rogue Squadron next year. Also coming next year is
Herbie: Fully Loaded with Will Ferrell.
5) Columbia-Tristar
Batman/TMNT shocked Hollywood with such an enormous box office turnout.
6) Paramount
The Simpsons Movie has been Paramount's biggest hit so far this year. Look for
Without a Paddle and
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow later this year.
7) United Artists
The Spongebob Squarepants Movie is expected to lift UA higher on the pole into the next year.
8) RKO Radio Pictures
What was Chuck Norris thinking??? Putting a teeny bopper movie like
Sleepover up against friggin
Hellboy??? Fortunately, there's
King Kong to look forward to in 2005.
9) Lionsgate
Saw could be LGF's next cash cow later this year.
10) 20th Century Fox
Dodgeball put plenty of butts in the seats, but they're gonna need another grand performance from Ben Stiller down the line.
11) Grand Diamond
After Rachel Stone bids farewell to Steven Universe, it can only be down from here.
12) Warner Bros
Any day now, Mr Feige
Tied for 13) Trimark, Hemdale and New Line
An extremely rough year for all three studios. The Life Aquatic with
Steve Zissou should get Hemdale back on track later this year. New Line is coming out with
Harold and Kumar, but are in search of a new director for
Rush Hour 3. Trimark doesn't even know what the hell they're doing.
14) Republic Pictures
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are barely setting up shop so let's cut them a little slack.
15) Touchstone Pictures
Whose bright idea was it to cast Seth MacFarlane as Bobby Darin in
Beyond the Sea?