After the Coronavirus crisis that also affects the commercial movie theaters, everything seems to indicate that the segment has recovered, and even exceeded the figures of 2019. The Cinema Foundation recently reported that the number of releases in 2023 was more than 40% higher than in 2022 and is close to the number of launches in 2019.
And although many assured massive closures of cinemas due to the pandemic, the number of commercial theaters has only decreased by 5.25%. This further reaffirms that going to the movies remains affordable, as today’s average ticket price, despite a clear trend of audiences leaning towards digital formats, costs less than the average ticket price adjusted for inflation from years ago.
In this report, Prensario analyzes the distribution figures for feature films in the United States, the impact of the pandemic, and where this vital line of business is headed.
The exhibition business
One thing this report makes clear is that domestic and global screen numbers remain strong as some exhibitors simplify and others grow: Globally as of this date, OMDIA and EMarketer reported 212,590 theater screens, an increase of 5, 8%, compared to 2019 (200,949), although markets such as the United States saw the closure of commercial theaters, the truth is that box office share for both 3D films and Premium formats such as IMAX, rebounded after the pandemic between 3 and 6%.
The Cinema Foundation even reported that representatives of exhibitors from nearly 20,000 screens in North America expressed plans to add more Premium theater formats; improve of sound systems; projector upgrades; seat renewal, among other improvements to the commercial consumer experience.
On the commercial side, the industry was seen to continue to recover good results in the big releases between 2021 and 2022: With Spider-Man: No Way Home, in December 2021, audiences returned to theaters on a regular basis and the business it recovers. During 2022, 71 feature film titles were released in more than 2,000 commercial theaters in the USA, although the figure is still lower than in 2019, with 112 premieres, it is a positive mark taking into account the delays in productions, the cancellations of many others and the rebound of the Covid-19 at the beginning of the year. However, so far in 2023, 107 premieres have been reported, attesting to the strong wave of productions around the world.
Among the large studios that had more presence in theaters from 2022 to 2023, Universal/Focus stands out, which released 23 titles; followed by Sony with 19, Disney/20th Century Fox/Searchlight with 14, and Lionsgate and Warner Bros. with 12 features each.
One of the strategies to promote local production and summon people to commercial theaters was National Cinema Day, celebrated for the first time on September 3 of last year in the United States. The initiative drew approximately 8.1 million moviegoers of all ages to theaters across the US.
It was performed at more than 3,000 participating locations and grossed $23.8 million at the box office that day, with an admission price of $3.
This strategy follows countries like France, which since 1985 celebrates a day dedicated to national cinema, which began with a single day, and extending to 4 days today. The concept was a fixed promotional rate of 4 Euros for all films in all cinemas and 99% of commercial cinemas and large national studios have been participating.
In addition to France and the USA, these national events continue to be promoted in Latin America: In 2022, Mexico experienced an increase of more than 100% in attendance in its 5 main circuits with the National Film Days from September 5 to 7.
Also, due to the results in the USA, India celebrated its first National Film Day on September 23, 2022 with the participation of 4,000 screens and 6.5 million admissions. It was the biggest movie day in the country in 2022.
