Do New Theater Hits Mean the Box Office Is Back?
By Movieguide® Staff
While different states maintain varying levels of COVID-19 precautions, movie theaters began reopening this year. Some even have offered available seating for full capacity.
This past weekend, which delivered Andy Serkis’s VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE, constituted the biggest box office weekend since the pandemic resulted in the closing of cinemas across North America.
MOVIEGUIDE® recently reviewed both of these successful films. Regarding the Andy Serkis-directed sequel to the 2018 monster flick, Movieguide® says:
VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE has strong character development, great direction, stunning visual effects, and engaging performances. It also has a strong moral worldview with implied and overt positive Christian content. The movie promotes marriage, light overcoming darkness and doing the right thing. Also, the climactic battle takes place in a church. MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution, however, because of lots of strong, intense action violence, some immoral and borderline behavior, and excessive foul language.
The success of VENOM 2 garnering over $90 million nationally, thus pushed its opening weekend box office accumulation to a figure that managed to be “less than 15 percent behind the comparable weekend in 2019,” The Hollywood Reporter said Monday. This, analysts report, is the first time such an equivalent figure has been reached since the pandemic’s outset.
Meanwhile, NO TIME TO DIE, the apparent culmination of Craig’s portrayal of the Bond persona, smashed international box office numbers in cinemas in the UK and Ireland, acquiring £25.9 million (or US $35.3 million) on its opening weekend.
The Movieguide® draws attention to its elements of drama, violence, and character development:
NO TIME TO DIE packs an emotional punch because of the personal stakes Bond faces. NO TIME TO DIE is packed with exciting action, though some action at the end could be trimmed. The story’s personal nature not only raises the stakes. It also strengthens the story’s moral, redemptive elements. That said, though the amount of foul language is limited, there are two “f” words and two strong profanities. Also, NO TIME TO DIE has intense action violence. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises strong or extreme caution, depending on age level.
Analysts look on optimistically, watching resurgent cinema-goers flock back to the theaters.
Eric Handler, an MKM Partners analyst, said, “The box office recovery takes a big step forward with a strong slate of releases waiting in the wings.” He further accentuated the fact that cinemas saw a sizable global turnout.
Handler said the movie theater industry has reasonable hope in recovering its audiences that were lost and otherwise diminished since 2020.
Another Wall Street analyst, Eric Wold, likewise voiced a certain optimism, suggesting Imax and Cinemark as good stock investments at the present.
Wold was also of the opinion that many moviegoers will not be halted by ongoing COVID-19 concerns such as the delta strain of the coronavirus.
The consensus regarding cinema’s renewed growth views this widespread resurgence as a trend that will carry the industry into 2022 and beyond.
Wold believes the next year could very well witness “pre-pandemic box office returns.”
Disney plans to offer selective theatrical releases for the rest of its films set to be distributed this year. That, and a consistent line-up of other movies to keep audiences engaged, presents a promising picture for the cinema industry.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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