[ELI5] How do film studios stay in business with so many bombs?

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I saw an article that the movie “I.S.S.” made 1.2 million this opening weekend. I’m no movie expert but I’m guessing it cost a lot more than that to make.

Not trying to make an argument about whether they’re good or not, but it seems that the last 4 or 5 WB/DC Super Hero movies bombed hard, too. How does WB continue to make movies if each one makes less than it cost??

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Anonymous 0 Comments

A lot of “bombs” failed to make money on paper because when it became apparent they weren’t going to be blockbusters the studio tacks on every possible cost for the studio to make the loss as bad as possible for tax breaks. Utilities, office staff, advertising that doesn’t just cover the movie, airfare, security in the lots, warehousing… The list goes on and on. They’ll do similar accounting to avoid paying contracts based on profits. You can make movies with billion dollar box office totals seen like they’re perpetually just about to break even.

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