We’re already two months into 2023, and we are seeing a good increase in box office revenue over last year already. It is time to be optimistic, but not complacent as we are still not close to pre-pandemic levels just yet.
January 2023’s box office ($584,759,287) was a massive 50 percent increase over January 2022 ($389,782,780), but only 43 percent of January 2020 ($897,742,569).
February 2023 ($479,466,09 to date 2/27/2023) has been decidedly better than February 2022 ($365,862,371), but still 25 percent shy of February's receipts 2020 ($638,097,308).
Is this due to poor movie debuts, quick from theatre to streaming/cable/satellite tv availability, some people still being nervous about being in public crowds etc. since early 2020? Yes and no…it’s a combination of all factors. The bottom line is we all need to get customers back into theatres as there is nothing like the big screen experience.
The big box office draws for 2023 so far have been Avatar: The Way of Water ($264,375,954 in 2023; $665,383,862 domestic and $2,267,071,788 total worldwide total since its Dec. 16, 2022 release), and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania ($167,314,584 since Feb. 17 release).
For February, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is followed by Avatar: The Way of Water ($41,847,402), 80 For Brady ($36,447,281), Knock at the Cabin ($33,903,205), and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish ($31,261,925).
Upcoming March releases include:
Friday, March 3, 2023
Creed III - Rated PG-13 - Michael B. Jordan, Jonathan Majors
Friday, March 10, 2023
Scream 6 - Rating TBD - Courteney Cox, Jenna Ortega
Friday, March 17, 2023
Shazam! Fury of the Gods - Rated PG-13 - Zachary Levi, Asher Angel
Friday, March 24, 2023
Champions - Rating TBD - Woody Harrelson, Ernie Hudson
John Wick: Chapter 4 - Rating TBD - Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne
The Lost King - Rated PG-13 - Sally Hawkins, Shonagh Price
Friday, March 31, 2023
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves - Rating TBD - Chris Pine, Justice Smith
A Good Person - Wide Theatrical Release - Rated R - Florence Pugh, Morgan Freeman
Spinning Gold - Rated R - Peyton List, Michelle Monaghan
How will the remainder of 2023 fare? According to the Hollywood reporter, from a cocaine bear to a Willy Wonka origin story and the latest in the Aquaman and Mission: Impossible franchises, there is a lot more to look forward to in 2023. This year, we will also see new movies from Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson, and Nia DaCosta and long-awaited titles such as the live-action Barbie movie and the Spider-Verse follow-up.
So, only time will tell, but we continue to be optimistic and work hard to make the movie-going experience the best is can possibly be. We hope your theatres are ready and up-to-date with the industry’s most modern and up-to-date technologies available, and we would like to discuss how we can help with making sure that your cinema is on everyone’s mind to visit soon and often in your community.
See you at the movies!