Shares of DreamWorks Animation (DWA) surged as much as 10% Monday thanks to the surprise box office success of “Home” — which features the voices of Jim Parsons as an alien and “Umbrella” singer Rihanna as the little girl who befriends him.
“Home” grossed $54 million in the United States during its opening weekend and another $47.5 million overseas according to movie industry site Box Office Mojo.
DreamWorks needed “Home” to be a hit. The studio, run by legendary Hollywood mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg, has had huge hits but also some notable duds in the past few years.
Its inconsistency is in stark contrast to Disney’s Pixar unit, which has churned out one success after another, and Disney (DIS) Animation Studios, which has its mojo back with “Frozen” and “Big Hero 6.”
The goal for DreamWorks now is to turn “Home” into a true franchise, joining Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How To Train Your Dragon.
Don’t bet against RiRi and J. Lo. Although the movie didn’t get fantastic reviews, it seems like critics underestimated the appeal of cute aliens. (I saw “Home” with my son. It’s not “Toy Story.” But it was amusing and well-done.)
It’s also worth noting that so many animated movies have white protagonists. So having a black heroine was refreshing.
That — plus music from Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez (who was the voice of Rihanna’s mom) — also probably helped bring in a lot more young girls and their parents. (Steve Martin and the guy who played Badger in “Breaking Bad” are also in the movie. I kid you not.)
DreamWorks Animation has definitely found a winner in “Home”, thanks to the star power of Rihanna and Jim Parsons. The success of the movie has breathed new life into the studio, which has seen its fair share of ups and downs in recent years. With the box office numbers looking strong, DreamWorks is now aiming to turn “Home” into a franchise that can stand alongside their other popular series like Shrek and Madagascar.The appeal of “Home” lies in its unique story and diverse cast of characters. Having a black heroine as the lead was a refreshing change from the usual white protagonists seen in animated movies. This, coupled with the infectious music from Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez, helped draw in a wider audience of young girls and their parents.Critics may not have been blown away by “Home”, but it’s clear that the movie struck a chord with audiences. The charming story of a young girl befriending a lovable alien resonated with viewers, making it a hit at the box office. And let’s not forget the supporting cast, including Steve Martin and a familiar face from “Breaking Bad”, who added their own flair to the film.As DreamWorks continues to ride the wave of success with “Home”, the studio is undoubtedly looking towards the future. With plans to expand the “Home” universe and create new adventures for its characters, the studio is banking on the enduring appeal of RiRi and J. Lo to keep audiences coming back for more.For the latest updates on DreamWorks Animation and other entertainment news, be sure to follow us for more insightful content. Stay tuned for more updates on upcoming projects and exciting developments in the world of animation.
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