Thanks for Visiting!

Register for free to get the full story.

Sign Up
Already have a Placer.ai account? Log In

It’s Showtime! Movie Theaters in the Spotlight

by 
Ezra Carmel
 on 
March 30, 2023
It’s Showtime! Movie Theaters in the Spotlight

Our most recent white paper analyzes visitation data for three out-of-home entertainment categories – movie theaters, casinos, and “eatertainment” chains – to understand how the wider industry has changed over the past three years. Below is a taste of our findings. For the full report, click here

Movie Theaters: Blockbuster Potential

Long before the pandemic, online streaming of movies had grown into a massive industry. And when theaters closed in 2020, consumers got even more comfortable with watching movies from the couch. Several streaming platforms – including those owned by traditional studios – invested heavily in meeting consumers in their living rooms with large amounts of direct-to-streaming content. The sale of large screen TVs soared

But despite the ease of watching movies at home, foot traffic data indicates that there is still a strong demand for an in-theater experience. In 2022, multiple box-office hits drove foot traffic surges and increased revenue to theaters, with several movies including Minions: The Rise of Gru and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, leading to major Yo3Y visit peaks. 

The apparent demand for certain blockbusters could explain why movie studios are shifting their strategy away from a streaming-first approach to include more theatrical releases. It also gives an indication of how the sector could evolve by focusing its attention on the types of content that create an in-person draw versus those better consumed from the comfort of one’s own couch.

Has Movie Goers’ Behavior Changed?

The demand for blockbusters may reflect a change in audiences’ perspective on in-theater movies. Many post-pandemic consumers appear to consider movie theaters socializing destinations, and chains have responded by introducing social elements to certain showings, such as “margarita and a movie” night.

Analyzing visit times to AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas, and Cinemark reveals that between 2019 and 2022, the share of evening visits – between the hours of 6 PM and 1 AM – increased, while the percentage of earlier visits decreased. This relative rise in evening visits may be due to the increasingly social nature of a movie outing. The increase in share of evening visits also indicates that, despite the persistence of hybrid and remote work, many people are still likely working typical office hours and choosing to put off their fun until the end of the workday.

Out-Of-Home Entertainment in the New Normal

The out-of-home entertainment industry has evolved significantly in recent years. And while some changes can be attributed to the COVID lockdowns and social distancing, the pandemic also accelerated a shift in consumer behavior already underway pre-pandemic. 

And with inflation topping COVID as consumers’ primary concern, entertainment venues looking to regain visits need to make themselves particularly attractive to budget-strapped consumers. Many of the brands seeing success in this space have found ways to position themselves by offering consumers something extra – like a 3D movie along with gourmet snacks

For more insights into how entertainment chains are driving foot traffic by investing in creating an experience that can’t be replicated at home, read the rest of the white paper here.

Get 3 brand & industry
breakdowns every week

Subscribe to the newsletter

Great! Prepare your inbox for data-driven insights...
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Get a Demo

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please provide a valid email
Please enter your email
Please enter company name

Thanks for reaching out!

One of our experts will be in touch soon

Try Placer.ai Free
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Text Link
Regal Cinemas
Text Link
Cinemark
Pent-Up Demand Ahead of October Sales Events
4 Strategies Retailers are Using to Drive Traffic to Their Venues
5 Key Regional Grocery Players Impressing in 2023
Upscale Kitchenware Trending Up
Costco Finds More Room for Growth
Four C-Store Chains Making an A-Grade
National Parks + Outdoor Summer Activities
Diving Into Darden: Summer 2023 Update
The Summer Event Effect
Messi: Massive in Miami
Looking Back on Back to School 2023
The Anchor Recap: August 2023
Placer.ai Office Index: August 2023 Recap
Placer.ai Mall Index: August 2023 Recap
Placer.ai White Paper Recap: August 2023
Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Strikes Again
Big Scoop: We All Scream For Ice Cream
Sports Away: Lululemon & Nike’s Momentum Continues
Summer Visits Heat Up For Recreation and Outdoor Gear Chains
No CSS overwrite - July 2023 Office Index Recap
Staging - August 2023 Mall Indec
Mid-Atlantic Grocery Deep Dive
Experiential Chains Heating Up This Summer
Petco Goes Big by Going Small
Ulta Beauty: Leading the Discretionary Pack
Discount and Dollar Chains Continue to Thrive
Summer of Sports: DICK’s Sporting Goods and Hibbett Sports
Off-Price: Succeeding Into Summer
The Anchor Recap: July 2023
Superstores Maintaining Pandemic Gains Amidst Economic Headwinds
2023: Home Improvement at the Halfway Point
July 2023 Office Index Recap
Placer.ai Mall Index: July 2023 Recap
widget test
The Taylor Swift Visit Lift
Southwestern Grocery Dive
July 2023 White Paper Recap: Halfway Point Review & Quarterly Index
Yum! Brands: Driving Dining Visits
Slurpees and Summer Movies Stimulate Consumer Foot Traffic
Cool Beans: Summer Coffee Update
Checking In on Back to School 2023
Crocs and New Balance Tip The Scales
Burger Bliss: Shake Shack and In-N-Out Stacking Visits
Chipotle & McDonald's Continue to Reign Supreme
Vibenomics and Placer.ai Partner to Enhance Retail Media In-Store Measurement
California Grocers Here We Come!
Marriott’s Different Audiences
Bonchon and Kura Sushi Thrive in the Fast-Casual Scene
A Shoe In: Footwear Climbs to the Top
Cheers! Raising a Glass to Beverage Retail
Placer.ai Office Index: June 2023 Recap
Placer.ai Mall Index June 2023 Recap – A Turn of the Tide and a Dive into Open-Air Lifestyle Centers
Local Kitchens: Redefining the Restaurant
Unlocking Urban Insights: The Value in Manhattan’s Employees
Ohio State Parks On The Rise
How is Inflation Impacting the High-Income Shoppers?
Five Fast-Growing Dining Chains
What To Expect From Prime Day and July Sales Events in 2023
The State Of Fashion: How Are Apparel Retailers Faring in 2023?
2023’s Latest Dining Success Story: GEN Korean BBQ House
The NBA Finals: A Location Intelligence Perspective
Moving the Market: The Impact of Domestic Migration on Housing Costs
Post-Pandemic Museum Update
The Darden-est Things
The Enduring Demand for Urban and Suburban Retail
Leveraging Data to Evaluate the Impact of Municipal Investments
Trader Joe's Success Amidst Food Inflation and Changing Consumer Behavior
Placer.ai Office Index: May 2023 Recap
Fitness at its Fittest: Staying Strong in 2023
Movie Theaters, Off-Price, and Home Improvement: May 2023 Recap
Placer.ai Mall Index - May 2023 Recap
What’s Working for Bath & Body Works?
Why Are Specialty Grocers Thriving in 2023?
The CAVA Craze: A Location Intelligence Perspective on the Mediterranean Marvel
How Will Primark’s US Expansion Impact Target?
All Eyes on Eyewear
Northwestern U.S. Grocery Dive
Return of the Lunch: Salad Chains Are Thriving
Retail Media Networks – Off the Beaten Track
Bet Your Bottom Dollar: Discount and Dollar Stores Drive Foot Traffic
Ulta & Lululemon: Discretionary Spending On The Up
The Score After Q1: Sporting Goods Chains
Who Uses NYC Airports: Biting Into The Big Apple’s Main Transport Hubs
Off Price: Strength in The Face of Retail Challenges
Visits Improve for Home Improvement
Walmart, Target & Wholesalers in Q1 2023 – The Return of Mission-Driven Shopping?
Department Store Roundup: Q1 2023
Placer.ai Office Index: April 2023 Recap
Placer.ai Mall Index, April 2023 – A Rebound on the Horizon?
How Will Bed Bath & Beyond’s Bankruptcy Impact the Retail Space?
Buffet Restaurants: Filling Up on Foot Traffic
Thrift Stores: Vintage Visits Drive New Age in Apparel
The Windy City: A Hub of Post-Pandemic Opportunity
Diving into Dining Traffic - Q1 2023
Bring On The Joe
A Dollar (or more) For Your Thoughts: Five Below and pOpshelf
Dining Out With The Cheesecake Factory
Retail Foot Traffic Recap – March 2023
Digging Into 2023: McDonald’s and Chipotle Update
Placer.ai Office Index: March 2023 Recap