A quick look at similar movies that came out within months of each other. In some cases, both did just fine. Will the same hold true for next year's two Snow Whites?
Battle at the O.K. Corral:
"Tombstone" — Gunslinger and law enforcer Wyatt Earp moves to Tombstone and gets in a gunfight at the O.K. Corral with the outlaw Cowboys. Starring Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer. The Walt Disney Co.'s Buena Vista Pictures released it Dec. 25, 1993.
"Wyatt Earp" — Wyatt Earp becomes a broken-hearted widower and then moves to Tombstone, where as a gunslinger and law enforcer he shoots up the outlaw Cowboys. Starring Kevin Costner, Dennis Quaid and Gene Hackman. Time Warner Inc.'s Warner Bros. released it June 24, 1994.
The verdict: "Tombstone" sold $57 million at the U.S. box office. "Wyatt Earp" grossed less than half of that, $25 million, about six months later.
Fighting in Europe:
"Rob Roy" — The leader of a Scottish clan battles with feudal landowners in the 18th century. Starring Liam Neeson and Jessica Lange. United Artists released it April 7, 1995.
"Braveheart" — A Scottish rebel leads an uprising against English oppressors in the 13th century. Starring Mel Gibson. Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Pictures released it May 24, 1995.
The verdict: "Rob Roy" sold $59 million worldwide. "Braveheart" came out less than two months later yet grossed much more, $204 million.
Eruption of the volcanoes:
"Dante's Peak" — A dormant volcano in Washington state erupts, endangering a nearby town. Starring Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton. Universal Pictures, now part of Comcast Corp., released it Feb. 7, 1997.
"Volcano" — A dormant volcano under Los Angeles erupts and rains lava bombs on the city. Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Anne Heche and Don Cheadle. News Corp.'s 20th Century Fox released it April 25, 1997.
The verdict: "Dante's Peak" grossed $169 million worldwide, while "Volcano" grossed $120 million about three months later.
Destruction by space objects:
"Deep Impact" — A comet is on its way to destroy Earth, and 800,000 people are randomly selected to keep the human race alive. Starring Robert Duvall, Tea Leoni and Morgan Freeman. Paramount released it May 8, 1998.
"Armageddon" — An asteroid is on its way to destroy Earth and a team of offshore drillers is sent to plant a nuclear bomb that will knock it off course. Starring Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler. Disney's Touchstone Pictures released it July 1, 1998.
The verdict: "Deep Impact" sold $349 million worldwide and "Armageddon" grossed $555 million despite coming out just two months apart.
Tale of a princess:
Untitled Snow White Project — An exiled princess enlists seven dwarves to win back her birthright from an evil queen in an adventure comedy. Starring Julia Roberts, Lilly Collins and Armie Hammer. Relativity Media plans to release it March 16, 2012.
"Snow White and the Huntsman" — An exiled princess trains in the art of war with a huntsman dispatched to kill her and tries to overthrow an evil queen in an epic adventure. Starring Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron. Universal plans to release it June 1, 2012.
The verdict: Stay tuned.
Source: IMDb Pro