Iron Man May 2nd, 2008 is the perfect release date. Here is why.

[TheVileOne]

For most of the 90's and early 00's, I'd say one of, if not the best release date for a big summer blockbuster would be the first week of May.

I think it's usually at this time, people are starving and hungry for a big summer experience. They are ready for the summer movie season to start them off properly, so it gives a big studio release a chance to cement itself.

What's great about this release date is that it's the headstart, it's the sprint. The movie in the first week of May is the first movie out of the gate. That means it has the lead over everything else. It's not being released in a crowded summer amidst a bunch of other high profile releases.

Let's take a look at some of the summer films released in early May or first week of may:

1995 - Crimson Tide
1996 - Twister
1997 - Austin Powers (OK, c'mon guys this is where it all started!)
1998 - Deep Impact
1999 - The Mummy
2000 - Gladiator
2001 - The Mummy Returns
2002 - Spider-man
2003 - X-men 2
2004 - Van Helsing

OK so of the above, I listed 10 years, 10 movies. Of those 10 movies, 8 grossed over $100 million US domestic BO. 6 grossed over $150 million US domestic BO. 4 grossed over $200 million US domestic BO, three of which came out in CONSECUTIVE years (2001-2003).

The waning years:

2004 - Van Helsing
2005 - Kingdom of Heaven
2006 - MI:3

Now for the last three years here's what's come out in early/first week of May. While some of these might've done well, they were for the most part BO disappointments/underperformers, though all three still grossed a lot of money from overseas sales (Van Helsing - $180 million foreign; KOH - $165 million foreign; MI:3 - $205 million foreign as of now). I kind of feel these movies were lacking what the biggest success stories in the past 10 years had.

And I feel when Spider-man 3 comes out next year, it will re-energize this release date again. Iron Man will hopefully continue that trend.

2002 - Spider-man, May 2nd
2003 - X-men 2: X-men United, May 2nd

2007 - Spider-man 3, May 4th
2008 - Iron man, May 2nd

The Marvel power week/month is coming back! In addition, Iron Man now shares a release date with BOTH Spider-man and X-men 2, among the most successful of the Marvel Comic book franchise movies. IMHO, two of the best as well.

I think that's good company to be in for a release date.

This may seem a little ranting, or rambling, but I kind of wanted to just type it out and put it down.

In short, May 2nd, perfect release date for Iron Man.

 

[Tissues]

Yeah, it's an awesome date, but I'm pretty sure Spider-Man came out May 3rd.

 

[TheVileOne]

Eh, so I was a day off.

 

[Kmack]

I think May PERIOD is the best time to release a potential summer blockbuster

 

[Ironman24]

I agree, it seems to be the best time to release a bi movie. I just saw Spider Man 3 teaser,very nice, makes me think Iron man's teaser trailer will come out at the same time next year, since, Spider Man is a year away on nearly the same date as Iron Man in 2008.

 

[socalsam]

it is a great date what a way to kick off the summer with a great superhero

 

[kedrell]

I just hope that they can avoid getting bumped by some big existing franchise that decides they want that spot and don't think IM will provide much competition. I'd like to see them stay there, although anytime in May is good. Actually, the weekend before Memorial Day is the best weekend of the year. You get your big opening weekend, and the next is a holiday so the drops are less and then it's only 1 month until Independence Day weekend. 2 holiday weekends + the opening weekend. If they got bumped to that spot I wouldn't worry, but it probably won't happen since lots of others try for that spot as well. The big boys are going to try to intimidate Marvel/Paramount into moving to late July or August. I hope they hang tough.

 

[TheVileOne]

I just hope that they can avoid getting bumped by some big existing franchise that decides they want that spot and don't think IM will provide much competition. I'd like to see them stay there, although anytime in May is good. Actually, the weekend before Memorial Day is the best weekend of the year. You get your big opening weekend, and the next is a holiday so the drops are less and then it's only 1 month until Independence Day weekend. 2 holiday weekends + the opening weekend. If they got bumped to that spot I wouldn't worry, but it probably won't happen since lots of others try for that spot as well. The big boys are going to try to intimidate Marvel/Paramount into moving to late July or August. I hope they hang tough.

They won't get bumped because they've already taken and cemented the spot. The only thing that would bump them is if for some reason they had to push the movie back like Spider-man 2 was pushed back 2 months later in 2004.

And early May really is the best .

 

[kedrell]

I agree, but FF4 moved back because they didn't want to open so close to War of the Worlds. It's kind of a game of chicken. There's no law that says another film can't choose that date as well. I just want it to stay in May.

 

[BT18]

I sort of wish Marvel would do a Gambit-starring movie for 2008 to get that "5.2" release date, move Iron Man up to Memorial Day. But that won't happen.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

It is a great release date.

 

[TheVileOne]

I agree, but FF4 moved back because they didn't want to open so close to War of the Worlds. It's kind of a game of chicken. There's no law that says another film can't choose that date as well. I just want it to stay in May.

That's different. That was the middle of the summer over July 4th.

There's no room to have another summer release date before May 2nd. It AIN'T happening.