“The Muppets” was originally scheduled to be released next Christmas Day, but has now been moved-up to Wednesday November 23rd, Thanksgiving Eve.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Disney Pres. of ditribution Chuck Viane says, “Disney has had incredible success opening films over the Thanksgiving weekend, and thanks to “Tangled”, we have the top three Thanksgiving openers of all time.”
I think this is a great decision. Sure Christmas Day sounds like the obvious choice, but when you factor in that kids (and parents) have more free-time over Thanksgiving to go to the movies it really makes sense. And, Christmas next year is on a Sunday, which really would’ve hurt the box office.
Plus, now the movie won’t have as much competition. Originally “The Muppets” was going to have to face the animated “Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn” (Dec.23, 2011), and “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked” (Dec.16, 2011). But now the main battle will be between “The Muppets” and Aardman and Sony Pictures Animation’s “Arthur Christmas”, which will also open on Nov.23, unless that now gets moved. Either way I’m predicting both will be big hits.