Why Is 'Shawshank Redemption' Still Minting Money?

[OldDarth]

Interesting video report on the ongoing financial revenue streams the movie continues to generate.


https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/video/why-shawshank-redemption-still-minting-165802117.html

Twenty years after it was released and flopped, "The Shawshank Redemption" has turned in a money machine. Russell Adams reports on Lunch Break with Tanya Rivero. Photo: Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection.

Plus this article has some new tidbits - King returned Darbont's cheque uncashed and Bob Gunton says his daughter will continue to receive royalties after he has passed away.

The Shawshank residuals - Yahoo Finance Canada

Pretty amazing legacy brought about by a great movie, cast, creative crew, and the timing of Shawshank going to home video when that industry was a big revenue generator for the studios.

A story not likely to be repeated again.

 

[kingricefan]

There's not alot of movies that really touch the hearts of so many. Shawshank is one of them. There's a reason this film keeps showing up in the top ten lists of many, many critics and just regular folks.

 

[fushingfeef]

What an awesome article, thanks for posting! I intend to re-watch the movie (again) before heading to Mansfield this summer!

 

[Bryan James]

It's because it is terrific.

 

[GNTLGNT]

...I don't recall it "flopping" and it was a well written story, with a fabulously adapted script and acting...it is a visceral thing, the hope in that movie speaks to many in a myriad of ways...

 

[VampireLily]

in what world is 'Shawshank' considered a flop? (...OldDarth didn't use that term, the writer of the article did...)

it might not have bowled over the box office but it was nominated for several awards and was the darling of several critics.

'WaterWorld', 'Ishtar', 'The Love Guru', 'Catwoman'.....because they had no box-office returns and were made and acted poorly. THOSE are flops. How many times have you noticed any station running 'Istar' or 'WaterWorld'?

 

[OldDarth]

Flop in the very narrow view of financial terms of it's initial theatrical run. Movie was budgeted at $25 million and the Box Office was only $18 million. Movies as a rule need to return 2 to 3 times their budget before they start earning a profit.

 

[mstay]

in what world is 'Shawshank' considered a flop? (...OldDarth didn't use that term, the writer of the article did...)

it might not have bowled over the box office but it was nominated for several awards and was the darling of several critics.

'WaterWorld', 'Ishtar', 'The Love Guru', 'Catwoman'.....because they had no box-office returns and were made and acted poorly. THOSE are flops. How many times have you noticed any station running 'Istar' or 'WaterWorld'?

I'm pretty sure I've seen "Waterworld" on some cable station or other. Not often though. It was probably for a Kevin Costner marathon.

 

[VampireLily]

I'm pretty sure I've seen "Waterworld" on some cable station or other. Not often though. It was probably for a Kevin Costner marathon.

LOL! It would HAVE to be!

 

[GNTLGNT]

...compared to anything Adam Sandler makes anymore...Shawshank is a monster hit!....

 

[Wasp27]

...compared to anything Adam Sandler makes anymore...Shawshank is a monster hit!....

Bahahaahahaha! So true (although I secretly thought jack and jill was hysterical in its epic stupidity)

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Is Shawshank Redemption the most played movie on cable? Seems like it's always on on some channel.

 

[GNTLGNT]

 

[jchanic]

I read that Shawshank consistently ranks number one on the IMDB rating system, even beating out the Godfather movies.

John

 

[kingricefan]

I read that Shawshank consistently ranks number one on the IMDB rating system, even beating out the Godfather movies.

John

Good.

 

[Tim D.]

Shawshank wasn't a monster hit at the box office when it came out but it's legend began growing not long after. I remember reading that it was the most rented/purchased video cassette when it initially hit home video way back in those ancient times, and it has now cemented it's status as a bona fide cinema classic. But continuing to make money isn't unique to Shawshank. Most movies continue to get returns long after their theatrical run, from cable and network showings, dvd sales and rentals, etc.
I think I remember reading that Elizabeth Taylor's Cleopatra movie took thirty odd years to make money on it's gargantuan budget.

 

[Tim D.]

...compared to anything Adam Sandler makes anymore...Shawshank is a monster hit!....

Just you wait. One day Jack and Jill will takes it's place in the pantheon of the all time great movies.

 

[blunthead]

I think Shawshank endures because excellent art endures. I think artists are in the business of creating things that endure, that live on. I think artists are in the business of imitating life in this way.

 

[kingricefan]

I think Shawshank endures because excellent art endures. I think artists are in the business of creating things that endure, that live on. I think artists are in the business of imitating life in this way.

You may be right. Think about how the actual painter/sculptor was adored back in the day and who's works we can still see and cherish. Now we only have films that seem to have an actual impact on society. You just don't hear much about painters or other artists that have any kind of world wide impact anymore.

 

[blunthead]

You may be right. Think about how the actual painter/sculptor was adored back in the day and who's works we can still see and cherish. Now we only have films that seem to have an actual impact on society. You just don't hear much about painters or other artists that have any kind of world wide impact anymore.

There will always be artists who create things that will endure. We may never hear of any of them.