Movie Theaters Betting on Re-Releases, Exclusive Merch to Boost Summer Ticket Sales
By Movieguide® Contributor
From exclusive merchandise to IMAX showings, movie theaters are planning creative new ways to bring audiences in this summer.
“People are seeing a trip to the theater as a special treat, so enhancing these premium experiences could be a key differentiator for theaters in today’s landscape,” Ray Subers, a researcher for NRG Film, told CNN.
CNN reported that chains like AMC and Regal are “betting big on re-releases” with events like “Regal Forever Favorites” and AMC’s “Halfway to Halloween” festival. The latter event saw AMC partner with horror production company Blumhouse to put hits like THE PURGE and SPLIT back on the big screen.
Sony and Marvel are also getting in on the action. This month, the studios are putting all eight SPIDER-MAN movies back in theaters, including AMC and Alamo Drafthouse locations.
AMC and Regal have even started offering exclusive merchandise, from GHOSTBUSTERS toys to popcorn buckets for DUNE: PART TWO and TAYLOR SWIFT: THE ERAS TOUR.
Theaters are also encouraging moviegoers to see epic movies on the largest screens possible with IMAX.
Variety reported that both OPPENHEIMER and DUNE: PART TWO “earned roughly 20% of their ticket sales from IMAX.”
“I strongly believe that the future of cinema is linked with IMAX,” Denis Villeneuve, DUNE’s director, said. “It just conveys a level of quality.”
Another way theaters are hoping to get people excited about going to the movies? Offering unexpected content like live sports.
Earlier this year, NBC announced they would “extend its daily live daytime coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics to AMC Theatres as a ticketed event throughout the United States from July 27-August 11.”
The announcement continued, “Beginning the day after the Opening Ceremony, select daytime hours of NBCUniversal’s live coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics on NBC will be shown in approximately 160 AMC locations nationwide, allowing fans to gather and experience the competitions, moments, stories, and emotion of the Olympics on the big screen as they unfold live in Paris.”
Movieguide® previously reported on the upcoming event:
For the first time, Imax has announced that it will show live coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremonies.
NBC Olympics President Gary Zenkel said, “We look forward to providing our Opening Ceremony coverage to audiences at IMAX locations across the country, sharing in this historic moment as the world regathers to witness the spectacular beginning of 16 days of athletic greatness against the backdrop of one of the most beautiful cities in the world.”
“The Olympic Games always provide a wonderful, shared experience, and this summer communities across the country will have the opportunity to cheer for Team USA or their own hometown hero in local AMC Theatres,” Zenkel added. “The afternoon broadcasts on NBC will offer many of the most compelling live moments from Paris, and we believe these gatherings will fuel overall enthusiasm for the Games.”
AMC Theaters CEO Adam Aron expressed, “We are excited to extend NBC’s daily live coverage of the Paris Olympic Games to AMC Theatres across the country, allowing fans to gather and watch the drama, intrigue, and spectacle of the Summer Games this July.”