Few things drive sales of licensed toys, apparel, etc., like a blockbuster movie. And at $208.8 million in North America and $524.1 globally, no film has ever grossed more in its opening weekend than Universal’s Jurassic World. Within days of Jurassic World’s June 12 opening, FX networks picked up the TV rights to the dino-sized hit.
Of course, all of this is music to the ears of Jurassic World’s licensees, including Hasbro, LEGO Group, Centum Books, Rubie’s Costumes and Dreamtex, to name a few. But while things look very promising, big box office is not always followed by retail success. Exhibit A is Jurassic World’s own 22-year-old predecessor, Jurassic Park, a box office smash that generated mediocre-to-disappointing licensed sales.