Over the past year and a half, the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered everything: businesses, commerce, and our daily lives and routines. Likewise, the entertainment industry has also been forced to make significant modifications to their typical procedures. In 2020, a shockingly sparse number of only three hundred thirty-eight films were released into movie theaters. In contrast, almost three times as many movies were played in theaters in 2019.
Cinemas and movie theaters throughout the United States have faced bankruptcy scares and been forced to close down. With National lockdown orders in place, large-scale theater corporations including Regal, AMC, and Cinemark were unable to attract an audience. A tremendous percentage of 78% of Americans expressed hesitancy and safety concerns in theaters according to a poll conducted by the Morning Consult. To attempt to resolve this matter, cinemas installed newly enhanced filtration systems, enforced mask-wearing and social distancing within the theater, and by reinforcing proper sanitation procedures. But the efforts were not rewarded. The widely-known AMC was compelled to secure a new debt agreement after almost falling into bankruptcy.
Americans have discovered additional methods of streaming their favorite shows and movies as a result of stay at home orders and safety precautions. “Netflix” has increased their subscribers by nearly twenty six million customers. Numerous teens have also downloaded the app extension “Netflix Party,” a Chrome extension developed by Stephan Boyer, a Airbnb engineer. This extension allows users to watch Netflix movies and shows in sync with up to one thousand others at a time. Although the extension has been available for nearly three years earlier, installations peaked in the midst of 2020. This allowed for teenagers to connect safely while social distancing at their watch party.
Countless highly anticipated films scheduled for release were forced to be cancelled, delayed, or rescheduled. Many producers deemed the pandemic would be a detriment to the turnout, net profit, popularity, and potential awards. A few examples of movies whose schedules were altered is Fast and Furious 9, The Little Mermaid, Mulan, and No Time to Die. Additionally, movies were unable to be filmed while following the CDC’s guidelines such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and limit on amounts of people within certain areas.
Currently, recent predictions indicate that the film industry will undergo recovering stages following the year of 2020. Entertainment networks such as AMC have raised two billion dollars in funding from stock sales. CEO Adam Aron plans on using this money to reduce the debt they fell into during the pandemic, and to decrease interest costs. How has COVID-19 affected your movie binging and in-person theater attendance? Consider paying a visit to your local theater in support of the challenging pandemic year.
Written by Ellie Noh of Richard Montgomery High School
“Movie theater” by chidorian is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0