The State of Theaters

 


In this space on Thursdays at this time last year, I regularly wrote about the Fantasy Movie League, a weekly fantasy competition handicapping the Box Office haul. The game was suspended in mid-March 2020 as theaters around the nation began to close in response to the COVID pandemic. Now, nearly a year later, many still haven't re-opened. And it's fair to wonder when, if ever, the movie theater experience will return to something close to normal.

The hope was, as we moved into a new year, we'd start to see movie releases return. In some places, such as where I live, theaters are open. The problem is, there's not much to show right now. And the question is when, or if, that will change.

Prior to the new year, Warner Brothers announced it would continue its wide releases as scheduled, but they would debut on HBO Max as well as in theaters. The first of these was Wonder Woman 1984, which bowed on Christmas Day. It's worldwide Box Office suggests many opted for the streaming option. And while they'll release a few more films over the coming months, my guess would be that many will opt for the streaming option again. The next big litmus test will be Godzilla vs. Kong, which debuts under that same formula on Friday, March 26.

Other studios have begun delaying releases, yet again. The new James Bond film, which was originally set to debut in April, 2020, and delayed to the Fall, then again to April, 2021, has pushed to the Fall of 2021 in hopes that it will be better conditions. Many others have followed suit to the point where it's fair to wonder if we will lose another Summer movie blockbuster season, or if more studios will look to streaming as an option.

Currently Black Widow (May 7), Free Guy (May 21) and F9 (May 28) are still on the schedule to launch the Summer movie season. However, many believe those films will move. If they do, it's possible that Top Gun: Maverick (July 2) could become the first big theater only release. That's if it doesn't move, too.

It's still January, and the vaccine is beginning to circulate. It will likely be some weeks before these decisions have to be made, and movie fans everywhere will be watching. I look forward to the day when I will, again, write about the Box Office competition on Thursdays. 

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