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Ever since the release of “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — The Movie: Mugen Train” in 2020, which raked in close to $50 million in the domestic box office during a period where box office earnings were sluggish, it has been clear that unique offerings such as this have been a boon for theatres. When these venues were in dire need, the income generated was significant. Other releases, including “Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers,” brought in $13.3 million in 2021, also helped to bridge the gap. The mainstream film industry has scaled back during the pandemic, yet television series have stepped in to somewhat alleviate this shortage.
This scenario presents a compelling case for television series venturing into the cinema. It’s plausible that a “Star Wars” series such as “The Mandalorian” could draw crowds for season premieres or finales. Now that Lucasfilm has plans for a “Mandalorian” film, the merits of this strategy are underscored. The upcoming “Stranger Things” season 5 could potentially see similar success if episodes were shown in theatres. Devoted viewers seem ready to attend these events. Moreover, what significant risks do production studios, streaming services, or networks face by expanding their releases across different platforms beyond minor additional costs?
The current year’s box office experienced a 20% drop from the previous year until the advent of “Dune 2.” Cinemas require support, and there’s accumulating evidence pointing to television as a source for some of that aid. From where I stand, there seems to be little downside to pursuing this avenue further in the days to come.
Our latest discussion on this topic can be found on today’s episode of the /Film Daily podcast, available for listening below:
Subscriptions for /Film Daily are available on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, among other platforms. We welcome feedback, questions, comments, concerns, and suggestions for our mailbag segment. Reach out to us at bpearson@slashfilm.com, including your name and location for potential mention on-air.
FAQ Section
How did “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — The Movie: Mugen Train” perform at the box office?
“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — The Movie: Mugen Train” made nearly $50 million domestically during a time when the box office was struggling due to the pandemic.
What other film provided significant support to theaters?
“Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers” earned $13.3 million in 2021, providing needed support to theaters at that time.
Could TV shows have a future in cinema?
Yes, there seems to be potential for TV shows to draw audiences to cinemas, particularly for show premieres or finales as witnessed with propositions for “The Mandalorian” and “Stranger Things.”
What is the state of this year’s box office compared to last year?
Before the release of “Dune 2,” this year’s box office was down by 20% compared to the previous year.
Conclusion
The film TV hybrid model that “Demon Slayer” and other franchises have taken on prove to be a viable solution for bolstering box office numbers during tough times. As theaters continue to seek ways to recover from the setbacks of the pandemic era, the integration of popular TV series into the cinema space appears to be a promising path forward. With minimal risk involved, this crossover approach could be a win-win for both film studios and cinema-goers looking for new forms of entertainment.