Box Office Boom

The Box Office Boom

By: Kylie Smallwood

Going to the movies is something that nearly everyone has done at least once in their life but in recent years movie theaters all over were no different than a ghost town in a western period film.

Movie theaters have been a common way of entertainment and source of media since the 1920’s. Movies were seen as the picture perfect first date, a fun experience with friends or a nostalgic memory with family. 

But virtually a century later the business saw the largest dip in numbers there had ever been and surprisingly it wasn’t a revolt because of the insanely overpriced candy and slushies. In 2019 the box office made a whopping 11.2 billion dollars and only 2.1 billion in 2020. The cause can be blamed on COVID-19, though this easily was only 1 of the thousands of businesses affected by it. 

2023 seems to be the start of the movies making a comeback in peoples lives, with the Box office making 8.9 Billion and as of last year 8.6 Billion. 2026 is expected to be a good year for the business with the several long awaited movies being released by franchises like Marvel, Disney Princesses, Pixar, Super Mario Bros, and so many more. “The last time I went to the movies was in October I think,” said Madison Middaugh, a junior at Liverpool High School. 

It's predicted that the Box office will make 9 Billion for the year of 2025 though it's possible for them to make up to 35 Billion (yet not likely). 

The question is why will people be headed to the movies more than they would in the previous years? And the answer to that is simple, the movies planned to release are sought after. A lot of the movies planned to be released are a part of series and draw people in using nostalgia, like the 5th Toy Story, yet another Avengers movie, and a 4th Tom Holland Spiderman Movie. “I want to go see the new Spiderman one.” Said a Liverpool Highschool Junior, Brandon Kha.

There's something comforting and nostalgic about movie theaters in themself not just the movies they play. Part of the reason is the immersive feel that a movie theater has on the people in them, this can be due to the extremely large screens and the surround sound system that movie theaters contain. A second reason is that movie theaters block out any distractions, you can't focus on the dirty laundry in the basket that you know you need to wash because you can see it in the corner of your view. “I like the seats in the movie theater.” Said Chuck Keegan.

The increase in the use of streaming services has also caused a gradual decline in the amount of movie goers. Streaming services are not expected to get rid of the movie theater industry entirely though, because movie theaters can offer things most people's homes and TVs cannot.