• 70% of consumers would rather watch new movies at home: study

    70% of consumers would rather watch new movies at home: study

    For weeks now, as COVID-19 restrictions across the country begin to ease (or, in some cases, even where they haven’t), national and local news outlets have relentlessly reported on a seeming torrent of people streaming into public spaces. The coverage points to a common sense understanding: Spending two months sheltering in place with little-to-no human …
  • Shakespeare’s Globe theater may permanently close due to coronavirus

    Shakespeare’s Globe theater may permanently close due to coronavirus

    Shakespeare’s Globe theater in London could be shuttered permanently because of coronavirus restrictions. The art space, a reconstruction of the original playhouse where William Shakespeare showcased his most famous work, is on the brink of bankruptcy since closing amid the pandemic in March. “Despite being well-managed, well governed, and – crucially – able to operate …
  • Sony warns profit may drop 30 percent or more this year as demand slows

    Sony warns profit may drop 30 percent or more this year as demand slows

    Sony said Wednesday that operating profit could fall 30 percent or more in the current fiscal year as the coronavirus hits the box office, as well as consumer demand for smartphones, video-game consoles and other electronics. The Japanese conglomerate, which owns film and TV studio Sony Pictures, sounded alarm bells as it reported results for …
  • NYC drive-in theater attracting big crowds thanks to coronavirus

    NYC drive-in theater attracting big crowds thanks to coronavirus

    The novel virus is bringing back retro fun. Drive-in theaters may call to mind a bygone era of 1950s Americana, but the nostalgic setup is having a comeback due to the coronavirus. Now, theaters like Astoria, Queens’ Bel Aire Diner have recently started hosting pop-up drive-in movies in their adjacent parking lots — and the initiative …
  • AMC shares soar 50 percent on report of buyout talks with Amazon

    AMC shares soar 50 percent on report of buyout talks with Amazon

    Shares of AMC Entertainment soared more than 50 percent on Monday after a report claimed that Amazon had expressed interest in acquiring the beleaguered movie chain. Amazon, headed by billionaire Jeff Bezos, held prospective buyout talks with top brass at AMC, the nation’s largest movie theater chain, according to an unconfirmed report by The Daily …
  • Theaters blast Universal over home-rental plans after ‘Trolls World Tour’

    Theaters blast Universal over home-rental plans after ‘Trolls World Tour’

    A battle is brewing between movie theaters and Universal Pictures over its decision to release “Trolls World Tour” directly to home video-streaming services during the coronavirus lockdown. Both AMC Entertainment and Regal Cinemas, the nation’s top two theater owners, are threatening to boycott Universal Pictures’ films from its screens after Jeff Shell, chief executive of …
  • ‘Trolls World Tour’ racks up nearly $100M in digital rentals

    ‘Trolls World Tour’ racks up nearly $100M in digital rentals

    Universal Pictures’ bet to release kids movie “Trolls World Tour”  directly to video-streaming services during the coronavirus lockdown has spurred a surprise windfall — and it could be bad news for movie theaters, according to a report. Last month, in the days before the nation’s movie theaters were closing down, executives at Universal Pictures parent …
  • Drive-in movie theaters poised for a comeback amid coronavirus crisis

    Drive-in movie theaters poised for a comeback amid coronavirus crisis

    Drive-in movie theaters — a tiny, nearly forgotten sliver of the US cinema business — may be poised for a comeback as the coronavirus has shuttered indoor movie theaters nationwide. The coronavirus has wreaked havoc on the movie theater industry with over 40,000 screens closed in the US alone — but a small group of …
  • AMC theaters raising $500 million in debt amid coronavirus closures

    AMC theaters raising $500 million in debt amid coronavirus closures

    Struggling movie theater chain AMC Entertainment, whose movie houses got shuttered nationwide last month by the coronavirus, said late Thursday it will raise $500 million in debt to stay afloat. The largest cinema chain in the US has been the subject of bankruptcy rumors since it shuttered 630 theaters nationwide amid coronavirus restrictions in mid-March. …
  • Cinemark movie theater chain hit by layoffs, furloughs

    Cinemark movie theater chain hit by layoffs, furloughs

    Cinemark, the third-largest movie theater chain in the US, has laid off half of its corporate staff and furloughed 17,500 hourly workers due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Cinemark said the 50 percent of workers who have been furloughed at its Plano, Texas, headquarters will continue to receive 20 percent of their salary as well as …