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Cinema operator Rick Roman shares insights into the resurgence of the movies, a topic previously covered in Digital Signage Today, including themes like the power of shared experiences, community, and accessibility.
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Rick Roman serves as theater operator at Crowne Pointe Theatre in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Image: Rick Roman/Crowne Pointe Theater. |
The movies are back!
According to data reported in The Hollywood Reporter, global box office returns sat at $33.9 billion in 2023, up 31 percent from 2022 worldwide ticket sales. Despite not reaching the heights of 2019, these figures indicate a clear resurgence of moviegoers eager to return to theaters after the disruptions caused by COVID-19 in 2020.
While this success could be attributed to the buzz around major releases like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” forming the summer sensation dubbed “Barbenheimer,” I believe there are deeper reasons contributing to this besides the appeal of specific movie titles. The success, in part, can be attributed to the enduring factors that have always made moviegoers flock to theaters. It’s the enchantment of the cinematic experience, the aroma of freshly popped popcorn, the grandeur of the big screen and the communal experience of watching a film with others. While streaming services have made movie-watching more convenient, they simply cannot replicate the movie theater experience at home.
At Crowne Pointe Theatre in Elizabethtown, we’ve witnessed firsthand the moviegoing resurgence. We are grateful for the most successful year since our opening in 2018. This is shown in several ways, my favorite of which being the sheer amount of popcorn popped in the past year. In 2023, we popped an astonishing 53,600 pounds of popcorn kernels!
The most popular movie Crowne Pointe screened this year was “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” Though this is no surprise given the film’s status as the second-most successful title of the year, I think this illustrates an interesting point: families still love going to the movies together. To me and so many others, sharing the joys of the movies with family and friends is a truly memorable experience. It is one we should continue to embrace as we go through a world that is becoming increasingly overwhelmed with the media we consume on our phones in isolation.
The moviegoing experience not only brings families together, but also the community. At Crowne Pointe Theatre we strive to emphasize this – from classic film screenings supporting local causes to special viewings catering to those with sensory processing issues. These programs illustrate that your local theater cares a whole lot more than the television hanging on your wall. Movie theaters are an integral part of any community, and as the Elizabethtown area continues rapid growth, Crowne Pointe Theatre is proud to offer such a valued service to newcomers and longtime residents alike here in the community.
So, if your 2024 resolutions involve spending more quality time with family and friends or finding ways to relieve the stresses of the modern world, I speak for movie theater operators around the world when I say that there’s a seat waiting for you at the local theater.
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Rick Roman serves as theater operator at Crowne Pointe Theatre in Elizabethtown, Ky.
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