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Were really happy to be back!
Guests were equally excited.
Thrilled to have you reopening!replied one fan.
Cant wait to seeNew Mutants!
said another, emphasizing that proximity to the theater was one of the reasons he moved to his neighborhood.
ItsTenetandNew Mutantssales were stagnant.
The theater would be closing its doors once again.
A month ago, Id say we only have to make it to Thanksgiving and well be fine.
But, looking at it now … who knows what will happen.
It wouldnt takelong to answer.
Shortly afterTenets lackluster release, Disney moved major films likeBlack Widowand Steven SpielbergsWest Side Storyto 2021.
Universal pushedCandymanfrom October andNo Time to Dieto April of next year.
Even Warner Bros. shiftedWonder Woman 1984to a Christmas date, and puntedDuneto 2021.
Theres currently no wide release from a major studio scheduled until PixarsSoulon Thanksgiving weekend.
The Future of Indie Theaters vs. National chains with more significant overhead face a similar conundrum.
Can Alternative Pandemic-Survival Tactics Work?
Absent a solution, theaters may not survive the impact of the pandemic.
In fact, the No.
Its at least driven enough revenue where we can continue to pay our bills.
Smittys Cinema has even tried indoor cornhole tournaments.
We just want to be able to survive 2020.
So, How Long Can the Movie Theaters Last?
When exactly those movies will come out is a question experts are less sure of how to answer.
You might as well ask a Magic 8-Ball at this point.
Its a frustratingly vague stance that has had far-reaching implications.
Viragh is more direct: Theyre killing the industry.
Distributors are not going to be releasing films without New York and L.A. Its just not going to happen.
The uncertainty weighs heavily on theater employees.
Two weeks later, they were cut even further.
Now shes making less than she was on unemployment benefits.
I have to spend the little money Im getting on doctor visits with no clear outcome in sight.
And the prospect of going back to work isnt very good either.
So what are the theaters to do?
NATOs Masher puts it bluntly: Repertory product is not the answer.
We really need to look to Hollywood to help us get through this.
Bock agrees, asserting that blockbusters are the lifeblood of the exhibition industry.
I cant tell [people] to go to a movie theater until I feel safe going to one.
Maybe [theatrical blockbusters will return] next summer.
All we can do is wait and see.
That could be deep into 2021.
Thats what were looking at in terms of how long the road to recovery will be.
