what movies were out in december 2017

Pretty Owners

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09-12-2024

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December 2017 at the Box Office: A Retrospective Look at the Holiday Blockbusters and Underdogs

December 2017 offered a diverse range of cinematic experiences, from family-friendly animations to gritty dramas and action-packed adventures. While box office numbers ultimately dictate commercial success, the month's releases provided something for almost every taste. This article will explore some of the major and minor releases of December 2017, analyzing their reception and impact, without relying on specific data from ScienceDirect (as it's not a database focused on film release information). Instead, we'll leverage widely available information from reputable sources like IMDb and Box Office Mojo to paint a comprehensive picture.

The Big Blockbusters:

Several major studios unleashed their holiday tentpoles in December 2017, vying for the attention (and dollars) of the festive moviegoing audience. These films often boasted massive marketing campaigns and star-studded casts.

• Star Wars: The Last Jedi (December 15th): This highly anticipated sequel in the Star Wars saga dominated the box office in its initial release. The film, directed by Rian Johnson, continued the story arc from The Force Awakens, featuring the return of familiar characters alongside new faces. While critically divisive, with some praising its bold narrative choices and others criticizing its departures from established lore, The Last Jedi undeniably shaped the subsequent direction of the sequel trilogy and sparked significant online discussion and debate for months. Its box-office performance cemented its place as a major cultural event.

• Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (December 20th): A reboot/reimagining of the 1995 Robin Williams classic, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, offered a fun, self-aware adventure. The film cleverly updated the premise, transporting its characters into the game's world rather than having the game literally infiltrate the real one. This smart approach, coupled with a charismatic cast including Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan, resulted in a massive critical and commercial success, proving that reboots can be both financially and creatively viable. The film's success spawned two sequels, showcasing the enduring appeal of the franchise.

• Pitch Perfect 3 (December 22nd): The third installment in the Pitch Perfect franchise continued the story of the Barden Bellas. While not achieving the same critical acclaim as its predecessors, the film still appealed to the established fanbase and enjoyed moderate box office success. Its release during the holiday season showcased a strategy of targeting a specific demographic with a familiar brand.

Beyond the Blockbusters:

While the big-budget releases dominated headlines, December 2017 also showcased a selection of smaller films that offered a refreshing change of pace. These included:

• The Disaster Artist (December 1st): This comedic biographical drama chronicled the making of the notoriously bad cult classic The Room. The film, starring James Franco and Dave Franco, garnered significant critical praise for its meta-narrative and comedic approach. Its success demonstrated an audience appetite for films that celebrated the process of filmmaking, even when dealing with material considered to be inherently flawed. This became a significant indie hit, showcasing the potential of unique stories to reach wider audiences.

• Downsizing (December 22nd): Alexander Payne's satirical science fiction comedy explored the concept of shrinking humans to solve overpopulation. Starring Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig, the film received mixed reviews, with some praising its ambition and others criticizing its pacing and tone. Its theatrical performance highlights the unpredictability of even critically acclaimed films, especially when dealing with complex themes and unconventional narratives.

• Molly's Game (December 25th): Aaron Sorkin's directorial debut, Molly's Game, focused on the true story of Molly Bloom, a former Olympic-class skier who ran a high-stakes poker game for Hollywood's elite. Featuring Jessica Chastain in the lead role, this drama showcased Sorkin's sharp wit and knack for dialogue. While the film's relatively smaller scale and subject matter might have seemed less appropriate for the holiday blockbuster season, its critical success and award nominations confirmed its cinematic merit.

Analyzing the December 2017 Release Slate:

Looking back, December 2017’s film releases demonstrated a trend common to the holiday season: a mix of big-budget, high-concept films aiming for mass appeal and smaller, more specialized films catering to niche audiences. The success of The Last Jedi and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle underscored the continued importance of established franchises and recognizable stars during the peak moviegoing period. Conversely, the performance of films like The Disaster Artist and Molly's Game highlighted the space for independent and critically acclaimed films, which could find their audience even amid the competition from Hollywood behemoths.

The diversity of the releases also showcased the evolution of the film industry. The inclusion of reboots, sequels, original scripts, and documentaries reflects a constant effort by studios to offer a variety of content that engages a wide range of demographics. The critical and commercial success of some of these titles ultimately influences future projects, shaping trends in filmmaking and distribution.

Further Exploration:

To further explore the landscape of December 2017 cinema, one could delve deeper into specific aspects: the marketing strategies employed by studios, the critical reception and audience reviews, and the films' lasting cultural impact. Analyzing the box office numbers and comparing them to similar releases in other years would also provide valuable insights into market trends and the evolving dynamics of the film industry. Considering the broader socio-political climate at the time of release and how the movies reflect or challenge those trends would also add another layer to the analysis.

This overview offers a starting point for understanding the diverse and compelling cinematic landscape of December 2017. While box office numbers can indicate commercial success, the true measure of a film’s impact often lies in its lasting influence on popular culture and its ability to provoke thought and discussion long after its theatrical run.