CRUELLA, which launches the summer of 5/28 with A QUIET PLACE 2, is the horror sequel’s perfect companion.
Where Paramount/Platinum Dunes’ R rated thriller had the last pre-pandemic premiere, Disney’s live action PG-13 spinoff of 1961’s animated 101 DALMATIANS had the first post-pandemic premiere (pictured – Emma Stone at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre 5/19). Originally, CRUELLA was to open on 12/23/20. But in August 2019, well before COVID, Disney made multiple release schedule changes and CRUELLA went to 5/28/21.
The two films are well suited to share Memorial Day weekend since AQP2 is resonating best with men while CRUELLA’s strongest appeal is to women. Both films have tracked well for weeks and together send a strong message of hope to exhibitors just as pandemic restrictions are easing across the U.S.
Friday’s tracking showed both titles with matching strong average first choice scores (more than 3 times norm). AQP2’s strongest demos are -25M (4 times norm) & +25M (3 times norm). CRUELLA’s top demos are -25F (more than 5 times norm) & +25F (more than 4 times norm). Between them, it should be clear that moviegoing is alive and well again.