With the prospect of a strong recovery for the post-pandemic box office finally becoming a reality, will the promised new influx of Apple and Amazon MGM new films help ensure the strong slates needed for real growth? Our local entertainment lawyer, Blake & Wang P.A.’s Brandon Blake, takes a look.
New Entrants to Theatrical Spaces
Currently, the 2025 wide-release slate by pure release numbers is still below the volume we saw in 2019. However, it has significantly improved from the last few post-pandemic years, something we have highlighted is critical to maintaining theater-going momentum and interest.
Historically, Amazon MGM has only pushed films into theatres on a limited scale, mostly to cater to awards season requirements rather than as major releases in themselves. However, they recently expressed that they are anticipating growing to around 16 wide releases annually by 2027 and have already amplified their existing theatrical output. Interestingly, they’re also moving to in-house distribution rather than using third parties.
Likewise, we have seen Apple promise to beef up its number of theatrical releases as part of a wider push to build its brand. Again, historically, they have been shy about courting cinema screen time, so this is a big departure.
Indie Studios Help Significantly
These releases from mainstream studios are important to keeping theatre-going numbers high. Let’s not overlook, however, that independent studios like A24 and Neon also helped boost the number of cinema goers tremendously last year. These indie releases, alongside some successful alternate media releases like concerts, have likewise played a key role in keeping audiences interested and invested in cinema-going as part of their daily entertainment rather than just occasional blockbuster premiers.
Encouragingly, we have seen similar life cycles for theatrical releases to pre-pandemic trajectories despite the shortening of theatrical windows and the addition of PVOD releases to the mix. All in all, the theatrical release model is showing fantastic signs of recovery, and with more theatrical output from a broader range of studios, we’re well set for that long-awaited return to prominence.
Film and Television 