:mad: I no longer love you.
Uhh… isn’t the answer to the OP obvious?
There have been two Spider-Man films. Both were good films.
There have now been FIVE Batman films; in fact, we’re now on our fourth Batman. Some of them were truly atrocious, and none were really great.
When you get to Movie #5, after some real dogs, of course you’re not going to draw as many fans. If Spider-Man 3 and 4 suck donkey balls, how well do ya think “Spider-Man Returns” will do?
’
Harborwolf, with all due respect, it won’t matter of Nolan, Bale et al. return for another one. There’s no way in hell the SIXTH Batman movie in 15-16 years is going to do the kind of gangbuster box office the Spider-Man films have done. As a matter of fact, it’s unlikely the next Spider-Man movie will do as well as the previous two.
Sorry dear, but Spider Man will always be nearer and dearer to my quippy and geeky heart than the bat. Still friends, or does this plus the wasp thing just crush the whole dealy? 
Rickjay, I wouldn’t bet the farm. The batman franchise needed a fresh start and Begins supplied it. Business should pick up as long as the crew sticks around.
As for Spidey 3, it will at least do as well. After the first two, I don’t think a major studio will put anything truly big up against it for at least a week or two. It may be the last spidey film for Raimi and co. so expect a fair amount of “fond farewell” viewers. Raimi shows a lot of respect for the source material, so I doubt quality will go down. Plus my nerdly behind can be counted on for at least two viewings plus whatever family and friends I can drag along.
I agree: Batman and Robin never happened.
(Or was it the Adam West one you were leaving out? 
)
Five Batman movies, right?
Batman (1989)
Batman Returns (1992)
Batman Forever (1995)
Batman and Robin (1997)
Batman Begins (2005)
What would the other one be, if we excluded one?
Don’t you study the classics? Some batfan you turned out to be. 
Actually, there was also this one
Careful, you’re age is showing. 
And now we get to pretend that Batman & Robin and Batman Forever don’t exist. Wheeeee.
Don’t forget this one either. As good as Batman Begins imho.
Of course we’re still friends! It’s just that I’m female and find the Bat inherently more sexy.
Why do you like Spiderman better anyway? He got bit by a crazed spider. Batman built himself from the ground up!
Does that mean we have to count this as well?
It’s still loads better than the Schumacher films, but no. That was a direct to video whereas Mask of the Phantasm was released theatrically.
I’m a lot closer to Peter Parker in nature than Bruce Wayne, so I can identify with him better. I can appreciate the quips masking the self doubt more than I can the grim intensity.
Plus, while we were watching the first Spider Man movie, my daughter told me that Spider Man was the second coolest person ever, right behind me. Small amount of sentimentality there.
Did she get a treat? How cute!
I see what you mean about Peter Parker, although I kind of despised him a little when they came out with the Spiderman movie. He seemed very wishy-washy to me. However, it got a hell of a lot better in Spiderman 2.
And nobody has mentioned this little number yet.
Does this one count?
Only to ten, Mudhead.
Hey, I’m a whippersnapper. I know about it because my Dad’s a huge batman fan and bought the thing on DVD. I didn’t see much, but it made the 1960’s version look like high art.
(cough) see my post #3 (cough) :eek:
We can debate quality as much as we want, but the real reason is the one supplied by Tuckerfan. This is a horrible year for ticket sales, especially for the projected big earners.
–Cliffy
Well you don’t have to take my word for it.
Here is a news snippet from the IMDB.
Spideran appeals to both the kids and to the Young Adult crowd. (18-24) Not only does it appeal to kids but it also appeals the their parents. (25-45)
Shark Boy and Lava Girl appeals to the kids but not parents. Unlike Spy Kids, which had the sense to cast Antonio Banderras so the moms had something to watch.
Batman Begins is doing pretty good business. Comparing it to Spiderman is really not fit comparison. Sony went after a more younger skewed demo than Warners did for Batman Begins.
So I have a question.
Why is this even important? Why do you think that comparing the numbers for Spiderman and the numbers for Batman tells you anything that is meaningful.
I think maybe if you compare the numbers of say Spiderman and Spiderman 2 you might be able to draw some conclusions but not in this case.
For one thing, Spiderman opened on a holiday weekend (July fouth weekend) while Batman Begins did not.
How does this affect the box office take?
How many screens did Spiderman open on and how many did Batman Begins.
Did you take that into account? Did you compare and contrast the films that Batman Begins is competing with with what Spiderman was competing against?
Comparing the raw gross numbers is a fairly meaningless exercise.
I don’t collect comic books, but when I was little (80s), the two most popular heroes seemed to be Batman and Superman. I was suprised to see Spider-Man beating Batman nearly 2-1, despite conventional wisdom that this is an excellent Batman movie.
I guess I wanted more expert takes.
Ah – but “being an excellent movie” and “raking in the big box office” are NOT, repeat NOT necessarily connected.
Oh and for those who may feel they’re losing their minds: Five Batman Movies of the current generation (Batman, B. Returns, B. Forever, B. + Robin, B. Begins), four Batmans of the current generation (Keaton, Kilmer, Clooney, Bale). Plus, of course, West’s tour-de-force from the 60s. We’re just playing clever with the phrasing of the original observation.