As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, aside from the hospitality industry, the movie industry is taking a massive financial toll. With majority of the movie theaters still closed across the country, movies being delayed and new movies going straight to on demand, the movie industry has completely changed.
"Mulan", "Black Widow", "Wonder Woman 1984","Tenet" are some of the movies that have been delayed this year. With an anticipated summer 2020 movie slate, majority of the movie companies have had to reassess movie premieres and halt film productions
Movie theaters have been closed for about 5 months and just recenly AMC theaters have reopened 100 U.S locations with another 300 to open in the next couple of weeks.
Movie critic, James Profetto believes, the movie industry can make a quick comeback once theaters reopen.
"So I know theaters are struggling but I do have confidence they'll bounce back because the movie theater experience is what I am championing in for. But, I also believe that people want to experience something social. Video on demand is awesome but the thing is people are going to want to watch "Black Widow" on the big screen and "Tenet" on the big screen. So while they're suffering financially, I do believe that there are going to be some heavy-hitters towards the end of the year and if it's safe to reopen theaters, I think towards the end of August beginning of September we will begin to see bits of the reopening process but hopefully by November, December it's safe enough here in the U.S for them to really reopen," said James Profetto, Film Critic, Reel James on YouTube.
One of the big movies to be delayed was Disney's live-action "Mulan", is now first big blockbuster film to go on video on demand on September 4th with a $30 subscription fee that is confusing movie- goers.
"So it's a spider-web of news that came out over the last couple of weeks. But Disney announced that on September 4th, 'Mulan' will be released for $30. So, $29.99 for you to "own" and I say own with air quotes because you still have to $6.99 a month. Technically, a $37 purchase and afterwards as long as your a Disney+ subscriber you get to own Mulan digitally. It's a weird process because it's the first time we seen this. All the rentals, 'Trolls: World Tour', started it off as $19.99, so it was $20 to rent. Now it's $30 to own but you still have to pay monthly, its confusing for some users, it's never been done before," stated Profetto.
All eyes are on Disney on September 4th as they may launch a new trend in the movie industry.
" I do think that this is going to be a trend, if it is successful. Right now, Disney is the experiment child of every single big studio, Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal. They're all going to keep their eye on Disney," says Profetto,
James also mentions that movie theaters like Cinemark have started sanitation procedures at their locations. That way they are ready to go once they reopen.
If you want to see James's movie reviews, you can head on over to his YouTube channel here
