“CinemaCon Highlights Blockbuster Showdowns and Amazon Drama”
This year’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas was meant to honor the enchantment of the silver screen and the allure of the cinematic journey. However, tensions ran high, hinting at a resurgence of old conflicts between movie studios and theater operators. The frustrations of the past half-decade, marked by a pandemic and two labor disputes that left the cinema industry a mere shadow of its former self, nearly reached a breaking point.
Amid promises of 2025 heralding a triumphant comeback for the movie theater sector, with cinema operators and Hollywood anticipating a wave of superhero epics, star vehicles, and fantastical adventures to reignite ticket sales, reality paints a different picture. Revenues have dipped by 10% from the previous year, following the underperformance of films like “Snow White” and “Mickey 17” at the box office. The blame game ensues.
Studios point fingers at exhibitors, claiming they have been slow to innovate and update aging venues, while failing to offer attractive pricing to budget-conscious patrons. Theater owners counter that studios’ insistence on quickly transitioning new releases to home entertainment platforms after their theatrical premieres has harmed their business. And, they demand a greater volume of films to screen.
These disagreements added a layer of tension to the discussions at CinemaCon, making for compelling but occasionally uncomfortable exchanges at Caesars Palace. Here are five key takeaways from CinemaCon, shedding light on the industry’s existential predicament.
Focus on Release Windows
AMC Theatres’ CEO, Adam Aron, has been advocating for a 60-day exclusive theatrical window for movies, arguing that pandemic-era agreements allowing films to debut on demand just 17 days after their cinema release should be revised. At CinemaCon, industry executives echoed concerns that these new distribution strategies are eroding their business. Michael O’Leary of Cinema United pushed for a 45-day window (down from the pre-pandemic 90-day standard), emphasizing the importance of preserving cinema’s appeal.
The Divide Persists
Last year’s CinemaCon took place shortly after the 2023 Hollywood labor strikes, fostering a sense of solidarity among industry players. This year, a subtle “us vs. them” dynamic reemerged, underscoring enduring tensions between studios and exhibitors seeking common ground.
(Continued…)
Han was hoping to contribute to Hollywood’s extensive content production, though some argue it’s still not back on track. However, this year, exhibitors showed little empathy. The disagreement largely revolved around the theatrical release window and the lack of fresh content. Theater owners are frustrated that studios have conditioned audiences to see non-comic book content as only suitable for streaming. A studio executive criticized exhibitors’ apathy, especially as major studios invest heavily in promoting films with extravagant trailers and star-studded events. Amazon MGM showcased top actors like Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, and Chris Pratt at its debut CinemaCon presentation, raising the question of whether they can fill the void left by 20th Century Fox.
Theater owners have long complained about the shortage of films to screen, attributing declining ticket sales to studios releasing fewer movies. The loss of 20th Century Fox to Disney in 2019 exacerbated this issue. Amazon MGM’s promise to release 15 major films annually in theaters by 2027, with 14 already planned for 2026, offers hope to exhibitors eager for a diverse lineup of movies. However, the challenge remains getting audiences back to theaters.
At CinemaCon, industry workers were less enthralled than usual by celebrity appearances, with stars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Scarlett Johansson failing to elicit strong reactions. Only Tom Cruise’s tribute to Val Kilmer and the performances of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande sparked notable excitement. The push now is to weather the storm until 2026, when a wave of anticipated sequels and new films could signal a resurgence for the box office.
Overall, the industry is aiming for a return to normalcy by 2026, when blockbuster franchises and new projects from renowned directors are set to reignite interest in movie theaters.
Check out what’s coming to Disney+ in April 2025 and discover the best celebrity memoirs to read this year, featuring authors like Chelsea Handler and Anthony Hopkins. Don’t miss out on the latest news by signing up for Variety’s Newsletter and following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
