As we slowly emerge from the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is the growing question of what the future of moviegoing will look like. This year has been an unprecedented one for the entertainment industry, particularly for studios and theater chains. With a majority of theaters shut down for significant portions of the year, and audiences hesitant to return even as they reopened, studios have pivoted to new methods of distribution.
The rise of streaming platforms has been the most notable shift in the landscape. Giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime were already well-established, but the pandemic saw the launch and growth of numerous other services like HBO Max, Disney+, and Peacock. The shut down of theaters gave these platforms a chance to shine, and studios began to test the waters with direct-to-digital releases.
Warner Brothers entirely restructured its release strategy around HBO Max, debuting all of its 2021 films simultaneously in theaters and on streaming. They're not alone. Disney began releasing its blockbusters, like 'Mulan' and 'Raya and the Last Dragon', on Disney+ for an additional premium fee while also releasing others like 'Soul' directly into the streaming free flow.
While these trends have sparked much debate among filmmakers and audiences alike, many industry experts believe that some version of this hybrid release model will persist even after the pandemic. They argue that the flexibility it provides to consumers is simply too advantageous to ignore.
Despite the increasing prominence of streaming platforms, there will always be a market for the traditional theatrical experience. Nothing can quite replicate the communal experience of seeing a movie on the big screen. Thus, theaters will never entirely disappear, but they will have to adapt, offering more premium experiences and perhaps functioning more like event spaces than everyday destinations.
Furthermore, the pandemic has accelerated the trend towards blockbusters and franchise films in theatrical releases. With their substantial budgets and built-in fan bases, these films are the most likely to thrive in post-COVID theaters. Indie films and mid-budget dramas, however, may increasingly find their home on streaming services where they can reach a broad audience without the high stakes of a theatrical release.
In conclusion, the future of Hollywood will likely be a blend of the old and the new. Streaming has carved out a permanent place in film distribution, but the unique experience offered by theaters remains very much alive. As the industry navigates these uncharted waters, one thing is clear: moviegoing as we know it is changing, but it's certainly not disappearing.
The future of moviegoing after the pandemic: A shift in the Hollywood landscape
