Last year is behind us and Hollywood is ready to put a profitable summer movie season in gear. At least they are hoping so.
70% of US theaters are open again, so box office takes won’t rival past successes, but the pandemic left a backlog of blockbusters waiting to break out and much of the fun begins in earnest this weekend with the long-anticipated release of John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place Part II” and Disney’s “Cruella.”
The summer of 2021 will present a dizzying array of blockbuster releases including a new “Fast and Furious 9,” “In the Heights” by the creator of Hamilton, and the long delayed “Black Widow.”
Masks are still required, and movie patrons may find fewer options at concession stands. Some theaters have transitioned to assigned seating. There may be changes from the last time you went into the darkened room with a 60-foot silver screen, but sharing screams and laughter with strangers will feel like a comfortable old pair of jeans.
Summer earnings last summer were down 96% from the previous year. Hollywood is anticipating a happy ending, though not a record setting one.
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