Have you looked at a film release schedule today? With the delays of many of the major releases from March and April due to coronavirus, this weekend looks like the last time that theaters are going to have a wide release for a while. In fact, if you look at the rest of March and into April and May, the only two major releases are “Trolls: World Tour” and “Black Widow.” That’s almost two months of theaters with no major debuts.
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And according to THR, with the fate of those two films up in the air still, the hopes and dreams of US theater chains rests on the decisions of the studios involved, Universal and Disney, respectively. A new report about the short-term health of the theater exhibition business over the next two months, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, THR claims that “numerous sources” say that “cinemas would find it hard to justify keeping their doors open” if Universal and Disney delay “Trolls: World Tour” and “Black Widow.”
Though that may seem a bit drastic when you think about it, on paper, it makes a ton of sense. As mentioned, when you look at the future past this weekend, the next frame to actually have new wide releases is April 10, when A24 releases “Saint Maud” and Universal releases “Trolls: World Tour.” Those films moved to that weekend to capitalize on the vacancy left by “No Time to Die” moving to November. However, it’s quickly becoming apparent that the coronavirus pandemic is only going to get worse before it gets better, so it’s not outrageous to think that those studios will delay the films for the time being. After that, you have “My Spy,” “Antebellum,” “Charm City Kings,” and “Bad Trip” as the only scheduled releases from April 10 to May 1, when “Black Widow” is scheduled to arrive.
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Let’s be real, those four films aren’t going to keep the doors open for movie theaters. And let’s say Disney is even more proactive and decides that “Black Widow” needs to move in the next week or so, then there’s really no reason why theaters would keep their doors open just for “Trolls: World Tour” and the other films. Especially in light of some states restricting public gatherings and whatnot.
When you break it all down, it becomes clear that if THR is correct and theaters are holding out hope for the two remaining spring blockbusters, it’s really Disney’s move, at this point. The fate of the theatrical business in the near-future comes down to watch the Mouse House decides to do with “Black Widow.”