Taylor Swift’s record-shattering “Eras Tour” concert film provided a major boost to struggling theaters. But the industry needs more than occasional blockbuster spikes to recover in the streaming age.
“Eras Tour” scored around $96 million domestically in its opening weekend, easily becoming the highest grossing concert movie ever. It powered the best overall box office frame since August, when “Barbie” ruled.
However, these massive one-off hits only briefly mask deeper issues facing theaters. Streaming and the pandemic hangover have weakened consistent ticket sales. Attendance habits lost are not easily regained.
Like “Barbie” this summer, “Eras Tour” demonstrates theaters can still draw big crowds for special events. But these sugar highs quickly fade. The real challenge is rebuilding habitual patronage in between.
Studios have done little to help by allowing strikes to disrupt releases. Major films like “Aquaman 2” moved to avoid spring deserts. Uncertainty makes luring viewers back harder.
Upcoming Marvel titles like November’s “The Marvels” offer hope. Disney needs the hit after underwhelming returns from “Lightyear” and other 2022 flops. Even Marvel is inconsistent though, as “Ant-Man 3” showed.
Studios will eventually rebound. But every disruption further erodes the theatrical experience in consumers’ minds. Three years of turbulence has weakened the industry’s resilience.
very few artists can replicate the appeal of a Swift or Beyoncé. Their fanbase’s loyalty enables once-in-a-generation box office feats. Most new films lack that pre-baked enthusiasm.
“Eras Tour” and “Barbie” provided uplifting success stories in a challenging year. But theaters require more depth beyond sporadic saviors. One smash hit alone can’t shake audiences permanently out of their streaming-centric comfort zones.
Hollywood must keep supplying a steady stream of broadly appealing films. Otherwise, even record-breaking weekends will only offer fleeting relief.
