SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Before COVID-19, Americans purchased roughly 1.2 billion movie tickets annually. That number has dipped over the years. But summer releases are still bringing people together at movie theaters.
According to a recent industry analysis, U.S. box office revenue is expected to reach about $8.8 billion this year, still well below the $11.4 billion generated in 2019. But the bigger story is attendance.
“There’s kind of waves and seasons for if studio releases. Some people refer to ‘superhero summer,’ winter as a ‘fiction winter,'” said Derek Walter, Manlius Cinema general manager.
No matter the time of year, Gerry Orlando notes that watching a film with someone else is one of the best shared experiences one can have.
Orlando said that being with the ones you love creates the best memories.
“It’s the communal experience of watching a film with a group of people. Movies were intended to be watched with a group of people,” said Gerry Orlando, former president of Syracuse Cinephile Society.
It’s places like the Manlius Cinema, which has been around for since 1918, that have been keeping these experiences alive.
This summer, the box office is set to see “Toy Story 5,” “Spider-Man Brand New Day,” Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” and many more summer releases that will dominate the box office.
As movie theaters continue to adapt to changing viewing habits, community theaters remain a place where audiences can come together and share the experience of watching a film on the big screen.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: A 108-year-old CNY cinema is set for a big summer
Evan Harrington/Reporter: According to a recent industry analysis, U.S. box office revenue is expected to reach about 8.8 billion this year, still well below the 11.4 billion generated in 2019. But the bigger story is attendance. Before Covid, Americans purchased roughly 1.2 billion tickets annually. That number has dipped over the years, but it’s the summer releases that are bringing people together.
Derek Walter: Yeah, there’s definitely, kind of waves and seasons, for, big studio releases. Some people refer to summer as like superhero summer. Winter is like affliction winter. Our, our, our busiest times are in the summer. And actually around the holidays matter the time of year.
Harrington: Jerry Orlando notes that watching a film with someone else is one of the best shared experiences one can have, noting that being with the ones you love create the best memories.
Gerry Orlando: The communal experience of watching a film with a group of people. Movies were originally intended to be watched with a group of people.
Harrington: Such as the manliest cinema that have been around for 108 years, that have been keeping these memories and experiences alive.
Walter: So to be able to be a part of getting people out of their houses and getting them to, you know, have a shared experience together and have a great, you know, time with their families here. It’s what manlius cinema is all about.
Harrington: Here with Manly is cinema employee Allison Garwood and Allison. Right behind me. We can see Toy Story five coming to theaters this weekend. Already out in theaters. Got to, you know, be happy to see that with family and friends.
Allison Garwood: Oh, definitely. I mean, Toy Story is such a poignant and long lived, long loved, movie series. And it’s exciting. I love it, and it’s best to have that with some delicious popcorn.
Harrington: I’ll have one myself. I mean, that’s just excellent. Back to you guys.
Eddie McCarthy: Sounds like the box office isn’t the only thing that’s booming.
Leah Masi: Yeah, I’m glad to hear small businesses like these are succeeding. Thank you so much, Evan.