How to order a movie?

How important is it for a Hollywood movie to be successful overseas in order to cover its investment costs?

• Movies with themes like american football and baseball (assuming Cuba is not a big market, but maybe some interest in Japan) usually do not garner huge interest in overseas markets since viewers aren't familiar with those games, hence they lack a certain universal appeal. Can those movies cover their investments solely on domestic revenues? In the same vein I assume a UK movie about cricket probably wouldn't do well in the US market. What are some other topics that are hard sells to foreign markets?

• Answer:

  According to a recent MPAA report (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/global-box-office-china-international-growth-326-303324 ) almost 69% of box office revenue is derived from foreign markets, so I would say Hollywood is now extremely dependent on doing well internationally, especially on big budget popcorn flicks. Here is a great article in the Economist covering the topic: http://www.economist.com/node/18178291 I think one trend you will see is less and less comedies being produced, because comedy does not travel well internationally. What is funny in America, isn't funny in China.