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| Author | Mia Blakeney |
CinemaCon 2023, the annual convention of movie theatre owners from around the world, took place in Las Vegas from Monday April 24 through to Thursday April 27. The event welcomed updates from major film studios, with stars in attendance and new footage and trailer drops, revealing some of the biggest film releases that film lovers can expect in the next couple of years.
The film slate on offer is varied and will draw in all audience segments to keep growing the box office. But, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter, perhaps the biggest star of the show was optimism. Here are some of the highlights:
The Big Screen has a Bright Future
Sony Pictures announced that they will be releasing a whopping 23 movies in theatres in 2023, which includes the likes of Kraven the Hunter, No Hard Feelings and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Chairman Tim Rothman spoke of the studios’ dedication to the theatrical release: “We were sure that movies in movie theatres would not just thrive, but triumph”. (Indiewire)
Topping that, Universal will be releasing 27 movies this year alone. The studio is revelling in the ongoing success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, after it recently passed $1bn at the global box office. Its upcoming releases are a diverse slate, including Fast X, Trolls Band Together and Strays. (The Hollywood Reporter)
While promoting his new film The Equalizer 3, star Denzel Washington thanked theatre owners for their hard work and resilience over the past few years. “We would be nothing without you. We’re here for you. We’re here because of you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he told a colosseum full of exhibition executives on the Monday. (Deadline Hollywood)
Oscar-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese received CinemaCon’s inaugural Legend of Cinema Award on the Thursday. In a Q&A session with Leonardo DiCaprio, who stars in the upcoming film Killers of the Flower Moon, Scorsese spoke of the importance of reaching young audiences in the cinema. “Getting younger people to enjoy the theatrical experience … on a screen that is bigger and more engaging than films they see home will make a difference” he explained. (Deadline Hollywood)
Streamers Make a Pledge to Theatrical Releases
CinemaCon’s audience was treated to an exclusive preview of Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. Although an Apple Original Film, the streaming platform has committed to a full theatrical release for the picture. It’s not the only film from Apple that will have an exclusive theatrical release: Napoleon, from director Ridley Scott and starring Joaquin Phoenix as the lead, will also have a full run in cinemas from November 22. (Indiewire)
The outgoing chief of the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) John Fithian spoke to the CinemaCon audience about the receptions of films in cinema versus via streaming services: “Nine out of ten people are aware when a movie was released theatrically and 50% are more likely to watch theatrically released titles when considering their options on streaming platforms.”
Fithian spoke highly of Ben Affleck’s Air, an Amazon original which was given a full theatrical release earlier this year: “Though Air was sold as a streaming movie, Ben Affleck and the entire filmmaking team really delivered a crowd-pleaser with universal themes, transcending a typical sports, deal, or business movie. It’s a film deserving a true theatrical experience and Amazon Studios gave it just that.” (Deadline Hollywood)
New Trailers and Sneak Peaks
CinemaCon audiences were treated to many first looks of some of the most anticipated films of 2023 and 2024. These included Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One, Elemental, The Colour Purple, Barbie, Dune: Part Two, Oppenheimer, A Quite Place: Day One and the film adaptation of the beloved musical Wicked.
First trailers were also revealed for Next Goal Wins, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and Disney’s new original animated story Wish.
Next Goal Wins:
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes:
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts:
Wish: