Moviegoers Grow More Comfortable with Returning to Cinemas

According to a poll by NRG, moviegoers have grown more comfortable returning to movie theatres since cinemas first closed nearly a year ago.

Theatres have taken an enormous hit since first closing almost a year ago because of the coronavirus pandemic. While several theatres were permitted to reopen over the summer, cinemas have strived to bring in audiences ever since, and primary film studios have chosen to either shift their movie releases back or have a limited theatrical run and pilot to streaming early.

Over the last year, many prominent production houses shifted their releases to OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, etc.

Long-anticipated blockbuster holdings like Black Widow and No Time to Die have encountered various release changes. However, the studios are still determined to give them theatre releases. As the COVID-19 vaccines have started rolling out, the industry is aspiring to get back on its feet this year.

The domestic box office has been at a constant low; however, moviegoers might be ready to return to cinemas soon.

With the reopening of halls, moviegoers’ relief in returning to cinemas has hit an index high of near 50%.  The data exceeded poll findings from the September-November 2020 duration when the faith in returning to theaters was last at a considerable degree. Prior to this, the moviegoers’ confidence degree was at “very or somewhat comfortable” with cinemas.

Reportedly, as of now, 47% of the 5,900 cinemas in the US and Canada are open. Mississippi and Utah head the most receptive states with 80%, followed by Arizona with 77% and Alabama and Georgia with 70%. Following a seven month-shutdown, Governor Cuomo permitted movie theatres to reopen in New York outside New York City around October. California Governor Gavin Newsom is anticipated to declare reopenings on February 23.

Six rural counties in Northern California, i.e. Alpine, Del Norte, Mariposa, Plumas, Sierra, and Trinity are reopening their theatres. Winter storms couldn’t benefit the already broken exhibitors last weekend, which totaled up to $12.6M over the 4-day Presidents Day box office, down 92% from a year ago when Sonic the Hedgehog steered the holiday frame per Comscore.

The domestic Box Office from Jan 1 through Monday, Feb 15 summed up to $98.2M, off 92% from the same duration a year ago.

NRG polls show that the relief in returning to theatres is most significant among teens and males under 25 years of age. A record 82% of moviegoers say they expect to be “very or somewhat comfortable” once the vaccine is more extensively accessible.

Though there aren’t many releases presently, major films are predicted to come out this summer and fall, which will hopefully observe a time for moviegoers to feel comfortable enough to return to theatres.