Good Grief! 5 Reasons 'The Peanuts Movie' Hit a Home Run at Box Office

20th Century Fox

Can you hear “Spectre” backers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson of Eon Productions, and the brass at MGM and Sony Pictures issuing a collective “Arrrgghh!” right now?

They could easily be feeling angst akin to Charlie Brown after a strong $45 million second-place opening by “The Peanuts Movie” held “Spectre” to a domestic debut of $73 million, below analysts’ expectations and the $88 million 2012 debut of the most recent 007 film, “Skyfall.”

Since Charlie is hardly a Hollywood A-list star, how did the Paul Feig-produced “Peanuts Movie” put a hit on the world’s most famous super spy?

Also Read: James Bond's 'Spectre' Shaken by Charlie Brown at Box Office

“There is an inherent sweetness that comes with ‘Peanuts’ and you can see it in the way kids’ faces light up,” Chris Aronson, Fox’s president of domestic distribution told TheWrap.

“They really relate to the problems he faces, like insecurity, and worrying about what people think about him, and he perseveres. That message becomes universal because most of us deal with those issues as adults as well, and I think that’s why it resonated to the degree it did.”

There were other reasons Charlie Brown hit a home run at the box office. Here are a few factors:

Also Read: Daniel Craig on Reprising James Bond Role: 'I'd Rather Slash My Wrists'

Masterful Marketing
While “Peanuts” is beloved by millions, the comic strip ran from 1950 to 2000 and it hasn’t been active for 15 years. The challenge faced by Fox marketing chief Marc Weinstock and his team was just the opposite of most animated movies, with the older crowd largely in hand, the younger set had to be sold. Mission accomplished: 70 percent of the audience was family and 46 percent was under the age of 25.

Bond Shot Himself in Foot
There was a steady drumbeat of negative headlines surrounding “Spectre” leading up to its debut. With many films, bad buzz doesn’t matter to most moviegoers, but the news of the leaked script, budget overruns, Mexican tax dispute and star Daniel Craig‘s caustic comments reached a critical mass that didn’t help, and Saturday’s drop from Friday’s number showed it.

Pitch-Perfect Reviews
“The Peanuts Movie” is at 86 percent positive on Rotten Tomatoes, while “Spectre” has a 62 percent rating. That alone wouldn’t turn the tide normally, especially with a strong fan base like Bond’s. But coupled with the troubled run-up, the negative notices most likely hurt the 24th film in Hollywood’s most-storied film franchise. Despite seemingly divergent target demographic groups, both films played well with male and female, young and hold, so choices were made and the reviews probably played a role.

Also Read: 'The Peanuts Movie' Review: Charlie Brown Survives the Leap to 3D

Charlie Rallied for Rollout…
Movie theater owners showed a lot of faith in “The Peanuts Movie” and Fox was able to land it in 3,897 theaters, nearly as many as “Spectre,” which was in 3,926 locations. While 007 had the IMAX theaters, Snoopy and the gang were in 3D, which delivered 27 percent of its domestic grosses.

The Nostalgia Factor
Adults who grew up reading the comic strips and watching the TV specials including “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” couldn’t wait to see round-headed kid back in action.

“The Peanuts Movie” maintained enough subtlety and intelligence that grown-ups could be entertained, and younger moviegoers would get a laugh. And while some adult fans groaned about the movie’s CG animation, director Steve Martino (“Ice Age: Continental Drift“) kept with contemporary trends in animation, rendering the characters in computer-generated three dimensions. Strip creator Charles M. Schulz might not have approved of the CGI, but the treatment enticed young fans without putting off their parents.

30 Highest Grossing Animated Movies of All Time Worldwide

A look at top animated moneymakers as of May 2020, from "The Lion King" to "Zootopia." The numbers are not adjusted for inflation.
30. "The Incredibles" (2004)

Worldwide Gross: $633,019,734

In 2004, Brad Bird's first Pixar outing wowed audiences with complicated animated action scenes, cross-generational comedy and superhero mayhem.
Pixar Animation Studios
29. "Sing" (2016)

Worldwide Gross: $634,151,679

Illumination's animal-karaoke musical crooned its way onto the list.
28. "Moana" (2016)

Worldwide Gross: $643,331,111

Disney's Hawaii-set movie scored two Oscar nominations, for Best Animated Feature and Lin-Manuel Miranda's song "How Far I'll Go."

Disney
27. "Big Hero 6" (2014)

Worldwide Gross: $657,818,612

Disney's 2014 robot tale combined anime aesthetics, superhero action and Pixar's heart.
Disney Animation Studios
26. "Ice Age: The Meltdown" (2006)

Worldwide Gross: $660,940,780

Fox's 2006 prehistoric romp proved the success of the first was no fluke.
Twentieth Century Fox
25. "Kung Fu Panda 2" (2011)

Worldwide Gross: $665,692,281

With the franchise's skills proven, DreamWorks Animation gave the world another hit of comedy with this animated martial arts sequel in 2011.
Dreamworks Animation Studios
24. "Up" (2009)

Worldwide Gross: $735,099,082

The 2009 fan favorite demonstrated that original ideas with big emotions could make big money.
Pixar Animation Studios
23. "Monsters University" (2013)

Worldwide Gross: $744,229,437

Ten years after the release of "Monsters Inc," Pixar sent fans back to school in a 2013 prequel.
Pixar Animation Studios
22. "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" (2012)

Worldwide Gross: $746,921,274

DreamWorks Animation's "Madagascar" series kept the studio afloat with a string of breezy successes, including 2012's third installment.
Dreamworks Animation Studios
21. "Shrek Forever After" (2010)

Worldwide Gross: $752,600,867

The big green ogre's final chapter dropped in 2010.
Dreamworks Animation Studio
20. "Shrek the Third" (2007)

Worldwide Gross: $798,958,162

Made in 2007, this sequel proved there was still some gas left in this fantasy mash-up comedy franchise.
Dreamworks Animation Studio
19. "Coco" (2017)

Worldwide Gross: $807,082,196

Directed by Lee Unkrich, this animated film captured everyone's hearts and even won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2018.
Disney/Pixar
18. "Inside Out" (2015)

Worldwide Gross: $857,611,174

Disney Pixar hit the home run again with this animated feature film about the emotions inside your head, starring Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling and Bill Hader.
Disney/Pixar
17. "The Secret Life of Pets" (2016)

Worldwide Gross:$875,457,937

Universal/Illumination's story of dogs seeking out adventure while their owners are away charmed its way onto the list.
16. "Ice Age: Continental Drift" (2012)

Worldwide Gross: $877,244,782

Profits abound for this 2012 fourth installment in the chilly prehistoric franchise, followed just behind it's predecessor.
Twentieth Century Fox Animation
15."Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" (2009)

Worldwide Gross: $888,805,671

While other films have made bigger waves in the States, international sales have always returned big money for Fox's "Ice Age" franchise, proven again by the 2009 entry.
Twentieth Century Fox Animation
14. "Shrek 2" (2004)

Worldwide Gross: $919,838,758

DreamWorks Animation proved to be worthy Pixar competition with its successful "Shrek" franchise.
Dreamworks Animation Studio
13. "Finding Nemo" (2003)

Worldwide Gross: $940,335,536

"Finding Nemo" was something of a second-wind for Pixar, solidifying the company's place as the titans of modern animation.
Pixar Studios
12. "The Lion King" (1994)

Worldwide Gross: $968,483,777

Can you feel the love tonight for this Disney animated classic?
Disney Animation Studios
11. "Despicable Me 2" (2013)

Worldwide Gross: $970,761,885

Illumination's sequel managed to make more money than its predecessor and put the upcoming "Minions" spin-off into motion.
Illumination Studios
10. "Zootopia" (2016)

Worldwide Gross: $1,023,784,195

Disney charmed audiences in 2016 with its cop thriller pairing a rookie rabbit cop and a wily fox informant.
Disney
9. "Finding Dory" (2016)

Worldwide Gross: $1,028,570,889

The sequel to "Finding Nemo" swam right back into audience's hearts.
Pixar
8. "Despicable Me 3" (2017)

Worldwide Gross: $1,034,799,409

Illumination's follow-up -- featuring Gru's blond-haired brother -- became the franchise's biggest grosser.
7. "Toy Story 3" (2010)

Worldwide Gross: $1,066,969,703

Built on Pixar's critical and commercial goodwill, the third installment in the mega-franchise brought in big profits.
Pixar Studios
6. "Toy Story 4" (2019)

Worldwide Gross: $1,073,394,593

Nearly two decades after the last film, Woody and Buzz and the gang returned for the top-grossing film in the series (not adjusted for inflation, that is).

Disney
5. "Minions" (2015)

Worldwide Gross: $1,159,398,397

The little yellow helpers crossed the $1 billion mark at the end of August, raking in more money then "Despicable Me" and "Despicable Me 2" for Universal Pictures.
Universal Pictures/Illumination Entertainment
4. "Incredibles 2" (2018)

Worldwide Gross: $1,242,805,359

The superpowered family sprung back into action a full 14 years after the original -- but far surpassed the original film's box office haul.

Disney/Pixar
3. "Frozen" (2013)

Worldwide Gross: $1,276,480,335

Disney's 2013 smash-hit takes the box office top spot. And then there was merchandising, video on demand and home video that audiences just couldn't let go...
Disney Animation Studios
2. "Frozen II" (2019)

Worldwide Gross: $1,450,026,933

Though it failed to garner an Oscar nom for Best Animated Feature, this sequel still managed to outgross its predecessor.
1. The Lion King (2019)

Worldwide Gross: $1,631,724,000

Whether the film is animated or live-action has been up for debate, the new "Lion King" was computer animated, so we're putting it on the list.
Disney