TOTAL LICENSING
Anticipate Big Things from 2019 Movies... Disney looks set to dominate once again this year, but there are several contenders for top licensing sales
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2019 looks set to be a year of blockbusting sequels, franchises and remakes. Not that this is surprising, as we have noted here for several years, sequels are popular both with the movie studio and the audience. Investment, from production dollars right down to retail, is far more likely to be ploughed into a known entity, and people are often more likely to go and see, invest time, and ultimately merchandising choices, in things that have been in their lives for a long time. Star Wars Episode 9, out this year, is an example of one of the longest running and most successful film lines, and ultimately licensing programs, of all time. And speaking of Disney, the
powerhouse has three live-action remakes due for release this year, and Toy Story 4 – as well, of course, as the much-anticipated Frozen 2, capitalizing on the unexpected success of the first movie. How this will also translate for the licensing industry remains to be seen but if it anything like 2018, major retailers will again see domination from Disney product. 2019 also sees the release of further Disney-owned franchises – Avengers 4, and Captain Marvel. Competing for the blockbuster status this year will also be How to Train Your Dragon 3, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, as well as The Secret Life of Pets 2, and Angry Birds 2. The lat-
ter’s first iteration was the second most successful film of all time that had its roots in a video game.The Lego Movie, with its irreverent humour and subtle dig at similar blockbuster movies, was a massive financial and critical success for Lego. Of course, we are looking at theatrical releases here – but what about the rise and rise of Netflix, Amazon and other streaming options? Netflix has ramped up its Netflix Originals in the last few years, and the way that the world is changing, and the viewership of content rapidly evolving, perhaps by this time in, say, 2029, some of the biggest licensing programs might be coming from a very different source.