THE FUTURE OF CINEMA AND THE IRON GRIP OF STREAMING SERVICES
Film changed forever on 6 March 2020 with every movie being pulled from cinemas around the world
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ockdowns got underway which left us with one choice: to go to streaming services like Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Instant Video to watch our content. While many films were streamed, directors like Christoper Nolan and actors, like Scarlett Johansson, were stubborn and wanted their movie to be released on the big screen. Some of these films did get a comeback release, like Nolan’s Tenet. They believe in big screen experiences, arguing that feature films are not as entertaining and you can’t feel immersed if it’s just on a small screen. Fast forward to earlier last year and film distribution was being split awkwardly with some flicks being released both in the cinema and on streaming services, like Cruella and Black Widow. Meanwhile the vast majority of these films didn’t get a streaming release, and some are being released exclusively on a streaming platform, like Sony’s The Mitchell’s Vs The Machines. During the first lockdown, many of us were watching older movies or finally got around to finishing that one show we’d put on hold. Then lockdown rules loosened and film distribution started back up during the
last month of summer to mixed results, as some of us went back into cinemas, but the vast majority of movie-lovers stayed at home.
Streaming statistics for 2020
During 2020, streaming went up by 50% as we watched 47 minutes more than we normally do. This was most likely from watching or re-viewing shows on Netflix since there wasn’t much on Disney+ or Amazon Instant Video at the time.
Box office for late 2020 movies
Since many film-goers were wary about going back to the cinema, the pictures that got a release either barely made their budget back or bombed, based on what the budget was. Nolan’s Tenet made its budget back but only $163.7 million was left after budget; then there was Bill And Ted Face The Music, which only made $6.2 million back of its $25 million budget which meant the movie bombed. The movies went away again after Saint Maud released in cinemas in early October as we went into Lockdown 2 – Electric Boogaloo – so the last movie to be released in 2020 was Pixar’s Soul on Christmas day on Disney+.
In a survey carried out by Tag, twothirds of film lovers told us they would go to the cinema to see a new release, while the remaining third would stay at home to watch the movie instead. The Guardian says “Streaming platforms are transforming the way films are watched. But traditional movie-going and sofa viewing can coexist”. This is a positive and important belief to uphold considering how much has changed over the past two years. Tag hopes there can be a healthy balance between the two sides as many of us have learnt to enjoy both experiences. So, enjoy that big movie excitement with a live audience at the cinema, and on other occasions, have fun hanging out at home to watch your personal choice of film.
Jack Payne Design: Sam Angel 31
