The doomsayers were wrong about moviegoers being reluctant to return to theatres and they’re also wrong about the streaming killing exhibitions.
Moviegoers are back in force as summer’s recovery gains momentum with BLACK WIDOW (pictured) breaking opening records set in May & June by A QUIET PLACE 2 & F9. Audiences haven’t hesitated to show up whenever studios put event films in theatres and support them with enough marketing money to create awareness.
From the doomsayers’ perspective, streaming technology will end moviegoing because it’s a more convenient & cheaper way to see new movies. They don’t understand that going to the movies involves more than just going to a theatre and that the cost of having multiple streaming subscriptions adds up. Moviegoing’s a social activity that resonates with millions of people who’ve spent the past year at home while COVID ravaged the world.
Streaming movies was great then because it was better than watching cable. What people want to do now is escape for a few hours to unwind with friends and forget their problems — and cinemas with their big screens, booming sound & jumbo popcorns are the way to do it!