The strangest thing: is the future of cinema … not new movies?
The Guardian••general
Key Points:
- The Netflix series finale of Stranger Things was released simultaneously in theaters and on streaming, generating an estimated $25-$30 million in a single day, surpassing most traditional movie grosses during the holiday period.
- Tickets for the Stranger Things theatrical event were technically free, with audiences purchasing concession vouchers instead, allowing theaters to keep most of the revenue and highlighting a lucrative new model for exhibitors.
- Theatrical releases are increasingly diversifying beyond traditional movies, including filmed Broadway shows, concert films, and targeted rereleases of classics, as theaters adapt to changing audience behaviors and shortened theatrical windows.
- The rise of streaming has trained audiences to wait for home viewing, but there remains a strong communal appeal for big-screen experiences, especially when priced more
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