Movie theaters are closed down and hurting across the globe. The theater business has taken major hits everyday because of the coronavirus. Theater owners will receive a helping hand from the federal government’s relief plan, but still, irreversible damage has been done. Too many theater employees are out of work. The question is, when can remaining theater employees and mass audiences return to theaters? The big boss at AMC Theaters, Adam Aron, believes audiences “will be enjoying summer movie season again.”
Summer Movie Season
Summertime is when business booms most for theaters. With all the major releases coming out, it’s when tickets and popcorn are selling out fast. However, most of the major summer movies, especially in May and June, have been delayed already. Studios aren’t taking the risk, especially on titles such as Black Widow. Despite the lack of major titles now coming out this upcoming summer season, the CEO of AMC Theaters, Adam Aron, is confident that after three months, theaters will reopen. He told CNBC’s Squawk Alley the following (via Deadline):
“The summer has always been one of the biggest movie seasons of the year, the summer and Christmas. I would love to think that America will be enjoying summer movie season again.”
Home Video Versus Theater
Right now, streaming is at an all-time high. Theaters are releasing their latest films on streaming platforms to rent. Theater owners aren’t exactly happy about it, especially about the upcoming Trolls World Tour, but some have seen the transition to streaming as a sign of the times.
Will more studios simply release their movies to rent online instead of in theaters? For less expensive movies, it’s now a viable option, but Aron isn’t worried about that. The AMC Theaters boss believes audiences more than ever are craving the theatrical experience, to enjoy movies with their communities. He’s right:
“I’ve been reading for years about a perception that there was going to be a switch towards home entertainment. I think if we learned anything in the last two weeks is people just so want to get out of their houses. I think we’re all feeling cooped up and want to get out and have life return to normal, but that’s not going to happen in the next few days, the next few weeks…. We need to get on the other side of this virus as a country. The country is going to come back, how quickly, nobody knows.”
Latest Summer Movie Update
Sony recently joined other major studios in pushing back their entire summer slate. The new Ghostbusters movie and Morbius have been pushed back until next year. Ghostbusters, which was scheduled to come out in July, will now open next March. As for the Jared Ledo-led Morbius, it’s coming out March of next year as well. The long-awaited Uncharted movie, which has yet to shoot, has been postponed as well. With Ghostbusters and Morbius now off the calendar this summer, that means there’s even less movies for theaters to show once they open back up for business.
What Movies Could We See This Summer?
Most major films have been scratched off the calendar this summer. The new Spongebob movie, which is set to come out Memorial day weekend, is one of the last major titles in May on the calendar. There are a few other titles that audiences may get to see this summer in theaters, including Christopher Nolan’s Tenant and Wonder Woman 1984. Warner Bros. has no plans to reschedule those movies. In the meantime, if you want to help support theaters, buying gift cards is a good option. Hopefully, we’ll all see each other at the movies this summer and be reminded of how lucky we are to be healthy, together, and to enjoy a communal experience together.
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