Movie Theaters Reduce Hours Due to Fall Blockbuster Delays
By Cooper Dowd, Staff Writer
With Hollywood studios delaying major blockbuster releases such as Marvel’s BLACK WIDOW and DC’s WONDER WOMAN 1984, U.S. theaters that recently reopened their doors lack the incentive to keep them open.
Despite a few bright spots over the course of late August and September with the domestic releases of Christopher Nolan’s TENET in theaters and Disney’s MULAN over the streaming service Disney+, the next projected release dates are not until November 20. Those releases include the next James Bond installment NO TIME TO DIE and Pixar’s SOUL.
Although the hope is that these movies will kickstart a possible box office recovery, their release dates still leave the month of October in dire straits regarding ticket sales.
AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas and Cinemark, which make up the three largest chains in the U.S., are preparing to withdraw and reduce showtimes to cut down on costs.
“Cinemark’s reopening plan was thoughtfully and strategically designed with multiple contingencies in place to ensure we are able to be nimble and react as needed to the ever-changing environment,” a Cinemark spokesman told The Hollywood Reporter. “That said, we will evaluate opportunities to align with demand, including reducing operating hours while we await new studio content to encourage theatrical moviegoing.”
Movieguide reported that “Although theaters are reopening with the help of Christopher Nolan’s TENET, the possibility that there will be no new blockbuster movies to show could result in no improvement for exhibitors or the market as a whole.”
October will be a challenge for both the larger chains, which have spent millions of dollars on safety precautions and marketing to increase attendance, and the smaller independent theaters.
The Hollywood Reporter recently reported: “Without Los Angeles and New York, Christopher Nolan’s Tenet fell to $3.4M from 2,850 locations in its fourth weekend of play for a subdued North American total of $41.2 million.”
Jeff Bock, a box office analyst with Exhibitor Relations, said, “As we’ve seen with the lackluster TENET debut—New York and L.A. are the sun and moon of the box office solar system.”
Although the movie did well overseas, making around $300 million, there were no new blockbusters to supplement the release, and MULAN bypassed a theatrical release altogether. As a result, many theaters will inevitably retreat until November.
According to the media company Comscore, 3,453 out of roughly 6,000 North American theaters were operating at reduced capacities to comply with COVID-19 era safety requirements over the weekend of Sept. 18-20. That number has already dropped to 3,350, and others are expected to follow suit.
However, many are hopeful for opening the two largest markets in the U.S.—New York and Los Angeles—which would have an undeniable effect on box office revenue.
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.
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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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