TOP 10 DOUBLE FEATURES & MARATHONS THAT WOULD MAKE MONEY IN 2017

Average Movie Fans can't always attend Red Carpet premieres for major films, but they can go opening night either at 7pm or Midnight. But what's better than opening night?: Marathons. Hard core fans love to flock to the major events released by studios and so do I. That being said, I'd like to propose some Double Features and Marathons that I'll bet will make money. This is the TOP 10 Double Features & Marathons that would make money in 2017.

*KEEP IN MIND THESE ARE MY PERSONAL OPINIONS AND ALL FILM IS SUBJECTIVE*

10. THE TRANSFORMERS MARATHON

Despite critical reviews of the ongoing "Bay-hem" that is the Transformers Saga, each film has it's audience and they tend to quadruple their budget every time, even having the last 2 films gross over $1 Billion dollars world wide. That said, the marathon remains at number 10 because of critical reviews, but you could wide release or have select locations show the marathon. It would of course play 'Transformers' [2007], 'Revenge of the Fallen' [2009]. 'Dark of the Moon' [2011], Age of Extinction' [2014], and conclude with the premiere of 'The Last Knight' [2017].

9. PROMETHEUS/ALIEN: COVENANT

The audience of 'Prometheus' [2012] was without a doubt split 50/50, but with that 50% 'Alien: Covenant' [2017] is pulling the original Alien fans back in with grittier set designs and the promise of the true Xenomorph everyone loves to fear. I'm positive you can get Prometheus fans to attend a double feature leading to the premiere of the sequel they've been waiting for. I think a relatively wide release will do well, but there is the Rated-R factor. Prometheus fans will attend, and the rest will just see Alien: Covenant any other time. Win Win.

8. BLADE RUNNER DOUBLE FEATURE

Fans have raved for a sequel to the classic Ridley Scott Sci-Fi 'Blade Runner' [1982] and the time has come. Showing it back to back with it's sequel, 'Blade Runner 2049' [2017], would be a major success to fans eagerly anticipating where the story goes. The question everyone has to ask is what version do you show? From Workprint to Theatrical Cut to International Cut to Director's Cut to Final Cut, Blade Runner has so many variations on the film, viewing it in different light. The proper move to watch would be the version that best fits the sequel, but to avoid potential spoilers, the smart move would be the Theatrical cut. Other than the previous R-Rated point with Alien, a Blade Runner Double Feature could fill seats with Sci-Fi nerd is a flash. Wide Release would work well.

7. KINGSMAN DOUBLE FEATURE

'Kingsman: The Secret Service' [2014] knocked everyone's socks off. It did to Spy films what 'Deadpool' [2016] did for Superhero films. It was funny, charming, classy, witty, stylish, and so awesome while also paying tribute to previous spy films in the best way. It's one of the best comic book films in the last few years and a double feature would be successful leading to the eagerly anticipated 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle' [2017]. Wide release success guaranteed.

6. -RISE-DAWN-WAR-

PLANET OF THE APES MARATHON

'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' [2011] was a welcome surprise, reviving the love for Planet of the Apes after the one before with director Tim Burton years prior. Then when 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' [2014] came along (which double featured already with rise) it was a true Empire Strikes Back feel that audiences and critics loved. Now with 'War for the Planet of the Apes' [2017] on the horizon, it's the perfect time to unite at the cinema and watch some "Damn Dirty Apes!" It was a solid turn out at the Rise/Dawn Double Feature so with hype generating for the third film, I think this marathon won't let anyone down. Wide release.

5. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN MARATHON

Say what you will about 2-4, the Pirates saga have huge fans of the franchise. Much like Transformers, the Pirates Saga has grossed over $1 Billion twice and close to that each time after the first film lit the fuse. I believe children, teens, and adults who grew up with this series over the past decade will jump right online and reserve tickets to sail with Captain Jack again and again... especially considering they have for 5 films now. The clear wide release would kick off with 'The Curse of the Black Pearl' [2003], continuing with 'Dead Man's Chest' [2006], 'At World's End' [2007], 'On Stranger Tides' [2011], and conclude with the premiere of 'Dead Men Tell No Tales' [2017].

4. MARVEL MARA-THOR-N

Marvel Studios. Sold. The most successful franchise to date, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has knocked it out of the park time after time for 14 films as of 'Doctor Strange' [2016]. With the much anticipated 'Thor: Ragnarok' [2017] hitting theaters this November, fans of the "God of Thunder" will no doubt sell out every showing of this marathon. Marvel has done this with Thor already, as well as with Iron Man, Captain America, the Avengers Double Feature, and the limited released 27.5 hour Marvel Cinematic Universe Marathon from 'Iron Man' [2008] to 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' [2015]. With the bonus of re-releasing the Avenger films and the fact our current Hulk was only in both Avengers, you have an epic lead up to Ragnarok that will make every Marvel fan happier than Thanos with an Infinity Gauntlet.

3. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

DOUBLE FEATURE

'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' [2017] poster's tagline says it all. Now that you heard the Marvel Cinematic Universe's success, this is the clear choice for a double feature. Other than the fact the films take place months between one another, Guardians has built up so much popularity that it's insane. They made a talking tree and raccoon plausible in a universe with gritty 'Netflix's Daredevil' [2015]! It be a shame to not see this and a crime not to wide release it. As Stan Lee would put it: "Nuff Said."

2. DAWN OF THE JUSTICE LEAGUE

[DCEU MARATHON]

It's no secret the DC Extended Universe has had ups and downs. They kicked off with 'Man of Steel' [2013] at 50/50 with audiences and each sequel gets more and more divided. But there are true blue fans of the DCEU and the box office has reflected this. Everyone is hopeful that 'Wonder Woman' [2017] will be a smash hit. 'Justice League' [2017] looks great so far. Most of all I feel doing this would be almost as successful as when Marvel did the same for Avengers. It would be fantastic to experience the visually stunning DCEU back to back leading to Justice League. I believe it could happen with a mostly wide release.

And now, probably the biggest opening of 2017...

1. STAR WARS

THE FORCE AWAKENS/THE LAST JEDI

Was there any doubt in your mind? This couldn't be topped. Financially, anyway. The Star Wars Saga returned to the big screen with the premiere of 'The Force Awakens' [2015] with Episodes I-VI joining along for 1 amazing night and day and night (Marathon began at 1am). This year with confirmation that 'The Last Jedi' [2017] will pick up where Force Awaken's cliffhanger left off, it seems perfect to watch them back to back almost as 1 epic with an intermission. While I propose a double feature, could we do a full saga marathon again? Would audiences stand for it? Would you only do I-VIII or do you include 'Rogue One' [2016] between III and IV? Rogue served as an excellent gap between III and IV, with it seamlessly tying together right into 'A New Hope' [1977]. That marathon, with Rogue One, would be almost as long as the 27 hour Marvel Marathon. While I would love to do that, a double feature is the smarter and probably more profitable approach. But let's face it, Star Wars will be sold out every time. Wide release? I think yes.

What did you think about this? Do you agree with my list? What other franchises would you go with? Maybe a series that doesn't have a sequel this year? Let me know on Twitter or on YouTube and maybe give this a share. I'd love to get theaters and studios attention. Let's make it happen!

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