ThePaddingtonfranchise has generally been very successful, but the recently releasedPaddington in Perucontinued a worrying trend that has me concerned for the next movie in the series. When the firstPaddingtonmovie was released in 2014, it would have been hard to predict that a film based on a children’s book character would lead to such a major cinematic franchise. However, that is exactly what has happened, andall threePaddingtonfilmshave been received incredibly well by audiences and critics.
Even though many regard the recently released third movie as the worst film in the series,reviews forPaddington in Peruhave still been incredible, with Screen Rant’s own Simon Gallagher giving the film a score of 8 out of 10. Before the release of the third film, it was revealed thatPaddington 4is in development. This means that the adventures of Paddington and the Brown family will continue beyond theending ofPaddington in Peru. While this is great news,the franchise’s unfortunate box office trend has me worried forPaddington 4.
After Paddington In Peru, Every Paddington Movie Has Made Less Than Its Predecessor
Paddington In Peru Made Significantly Less Than The First Two Movies
Even though Paddington has become a much more popular character in recent years because of the movies, all the films in the franchise have made less than their predecessors. The firstPaddingtonmovie got the franchise off to a good start by making $326 million, thenPaddington 2made a respectable $290 million. Even thoughPaddington 2made less than the first film, there isn’t a noticeable gap in the box office hauls and the sequel was still applauded by fans and critics. However, as seen in the table below,Paddington in Perumade much less than the second film.
$326,088,587
96%
80%
$290,132,513
99%
89%
Paddington in Peru (2024)
$162,601,891
93%
91%
WhilePaddington in Peruwas not a box office flop by any means, its $162 million haul is significantly less than the previous two movies.Paddington in Perumakes it clear that the franchise has been trending downwards at the box office ever since the release of the first movie.This concerning trend suggests that the upcomingPaddington 4will make less thanPaddington in Peruat the box office, which would not be ideal.
Why The Paddington Movies Are Declining At The Box Office
There Was A Long Gap Between Paddington 2 & 3
The quality of the movies is definitely not why thePaddingtonfranchise is declining at the box office. After all,Paddington 2received overwhelming praise and was actually the highest-rated movie on Rotten Tomatoes for years. As seen in the above table,thePaddingtonfilms all have amazing critic and audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes, which suggests that the upcoming fourth film will also be highly rated. However, it is clear that there has been some drop in interest since the release of the first movie.
Paddington in Peruhad to find a new director and even had to replace Sally Hawkins, who played Mary Brown in the first two movies.
While there was only a three-year gap between the first and second film,Paddington in Peruwas stuck in development hell for many years.Paddington in Peruhad to find a new director and even had to replace Sally Hawkins, who played Mary Brown in the first two movies. Because of these significant changes,there was a seven-year gap betweenPaddington 2andPaddington in Peru. This long gap is probably why the third film made significantly less money, as a lot of people likely lost interest in the franchise while waiting for the third movie.
Paddington 4 Looks Like A Bigger Risk Thanks To The Paddington Franchise’s Box Office Decline
Paddington 4 Might Make Less Than Paddington In Peru
It is amazing that StudioCanal had the confidence to confirmPaddington 4before the release ofPaddington in Peru. However,after the third film’s underwhelming performance at the box office,Paddington 4now seems like a bigger risk. This is especially the case since thePaddingtonfilms aren’t necessarily cheap to make. The firstPaddingtonmovie had a budget of $65 million, whereas the second film had a lower budget of $40 million. However,Paddington in Perucost $90 million to make, making it the most expensive movie in the series.
I Love The Paddington Franchise, But It Needs To End With Paddington 4
Paddington in Peru is the third Paddington film, and it perfectly sets up what I believe should be the final entry in this already iconic franchise.
It makes sense thatPaddington in Peruhad the highest budget in the series, since it is set in the jungles of Peru, rather than in London. However,the third movie’s box office means thatPaddington 4may have to have a lower budget. The plot ofPaddington 4is not currently known, but it’s likely that it will be set primarily in London, just like the first two movies. Even thoughPaddington in Perucontinued a disappointing box office trend, hopefully excitement for the fourth film builds over the next few years and it can finally break this streak.
