
What do Wonder Woman and Game of Thrones have in common? They both took the world of print — a comic book and a fantasy series — and transformed them into two of the trendiest entertainment brands today. When it comes to blockbuster hits and primetime TV shows, there are few that have gained as loyal of fan bases as these two.
Wonder Woman’s premiere shattered box office expectations, bringing in 103.1 million dollars its debut weekend. Not only was this a massive success for DC Comics in general, the movie made history as the largest opening weekend for any female director. In a genre traditionally dominated male protagonists, director Patty Jenkins and actress Gal Gadot have proven that a strong female superhero is just as persuasive as male superheroes.
Meanwhile, more than 16 million viewers tuned into Game of Thrones’ season seven premiere across various platforms, eager to catch up with their favorite TV characters and action-packed plot. The show is HBO’s most popular production to date, followed by the legendary Sopranos.
So how did both Wonder Woman and Game of Thrones attract such a massive following?
It’s all about the story
Both feature masterfully crafted stories that capture the audience’s attention from the start, planting a seed of intrigue that builds as each progresses.
While both have faced controversy and hesitation regarding their ability to succeed, each has proven that a well constructed story is the most vital part of getting something to sell.
The Critical Acclaim Matches the Rave Audience Reviews
And it’s not just the massive following that validates their celebratory status. Both have received incredible critical acclaim as well.
Wonder Woman’s pulled through with an incredible 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Meanwhile, Game of Thrones has weighed in at 95% on Rotten Tomatoes — an almost unheard of approval rating among critics.
The HBO fantasy show has also garnered 38 Emmy wins to date.
They make us think about power… in two very different ways.
A fundamental component to building any loyal fan base is allowing the viewer to continue exploring the story even after they’ve seen it.
Wonder Woman and Game of Thrones do exactly that.
They invite their audience to explore relevant cultural themes and topics, with droves of fans sharing their opinions on message boards, comment threads, and discussion-based forums. Even better, they attract multiple viewings from dedicated fans eager to pick up on pieces they may have missed. Some internet users report having gone to see Wonder Woman up to ten ten times.
How do they get their fans talking?
Each offers layers of intrigue and a distinctive worldview that captures the attention of its audience, eager to find out what happens next and what new questions will arise.
Wonder Woman invokes the themes of love and justice, leaving its audience with a positive worldview of global unity worth exploring. Indeed, the movie has unified a large portion of the global population. Its opening weekend, the movie grossed $125 million in foreign viewings.
Meanwhile, Game of Thrones features some sordid dystopia elements, drawing some stark parallels to modern society and the fear of a post-apocalyptic world. The show asks some thought-provoking questions about whether our society is sustainable.
In both, Wonder Woman and Game of Thrones, the writers allow interaction between the audience and the story. They provide their fans with the freedom to explore themes of power and to question their own worldviews.
Who’s the target audience?
We know that Wonder Woman and Game of Thrones have some of film and TV’s most loyal fan bases. But who exactly are the fans?
Wonder Woman definitely attracted more females than most other films in the comic genre.
The interesting fact? 52 percent of Wonder Women’s audience identified as female, while 48 percent did not.
This means that Patty Jenkins was able to attract both genders to watch a film starring a female protagonist — a testament of the movie’s ability to defy Hollywood convention.
Meanwhile, nearly 82 percent of Game of Thrones’ fans identify as male, according to this survey. Turns out Wonder Woman has been more successful when it comes to appealing to a wider demographic.
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