PITTSBURGH (Newsradio KDKA) - Is the movie industry prepared for a period of doldrums? How does this affect the rest of us? As schools begin to spring to life, the movie industry typically slows. This year, thanks to the latest variant, the industry looks to slow even more.
According to Boxofficepro, in 2019 movie goers spent about 5 billion dollars through dining and retail visits on the day of theater visits. If trends continue, 2021 looks to generate only around 1 billion dollars. So not only does this hurt the movie industry, it also affects the restaurant and retail sectors as well.
There is still hope that matters could improve. If covid cases start to decline, If major releases stick to a 2021 fall schedule (Venom, Let there be Carnage pushed the release from September to October) and the audience gets more comfortable visiting theaters.
Films scheduled for a Fall release that could help turn this tide around are:
October 1
The Addams Family 2
Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
October 8
No Time to Die
October 15
Venom: Let there be Carnage
The Last Duel
Halloween Kills
October 22
Dune
November 5
Eternals
Candyman (R)
Starring: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
A "spiritual sequel" to the 1992 horror hit by the same name. Written by Jordan Peele, Candyman returns to the now gentrified neighborhood where the legend began. The good news is that this movie stands alone, there's no need to watch the original. I decided to re-watch the 1992 Candyman and I'm glad I did. That movie was surprisingly good with a strong Virginia Madsen performance and they do touch on some points in the latest edition.
John Mowod, Mowod On Movies, talks it up with Larry Richert and Kevin Battle of the KDKA Radio Morning Show. Tune into 100.1 FM or AM 1020 KDKA at 7:05 every Friday morning for more in-depth movie news, reviews and movie trivia.