Will COVID-19 end theatrical movies

[Noodle]

Black Widow is getting a Disney+ Premier release in May in addition to theatrical.

It's still hitting theaters same day so I'm good.

[choptop]

It's still hitting theaters same day so I'm good.

So 007 is the last hold out and probably just a matter of time.

[luprki]

Black Widow is getting a Disney+ Premier release in May in addition to theatrical.

This is the new norm, which is why movie theaters will die out.

[Kirby101]

This is the new norm, which is why movie theaters will die out.

streaming alone is not sustainable for big budget blockbusters. Talk to me in a year when theaters all open at full capacity, about what the new normal is. It is way to soon to know.

[green_garnish]

Of all the things that might make movie theaters die out, streaming ranks right up there with television.

[Kirby101]

Of all the things that might make movie theaters die out, streaming ranks right up there with television.

And Cable, VCRs and DVDs

[Wildling]

My local theater stills pumps to fill around 1/4 its parking lot at peak hours with COVID restrictions and without any prime blockbusters out (most people already watched Wonder Woman 1984).

I'll believe theaters dead when I see the dead lot turned into a supermarket (a smaller chain near me is closing, but only temporarily for now).

[CTTT]

streaming alone is not sustainable for big budget blockbusters. Talk to me in a year when theaters all open at full capacity, about what the new normal is. It is way to soon to know.

I agree with you totally, but at the same time when you watch FAWS that battle scene looks the same quality as any other big budget MCU blockbuster

[Vakanai]

This is the new norm, which is why movie theaters will die out.

I think this "new norm" won't be the norm next year once covid is behind us.

[Kirby101]

I agree with you totally, but at the same time when you watch FAWS that battle scene looks the same quality as any other big budget MCU blockbuster

FAWS? Maybe, it depends how the income stream works out. I am not saying it will be one way or another, we will have to wait and see when theaters are completely open.
Right now it looks like HBOMax is surviving on the back of big budget movies like WW84, JL and King Kong Godzilla. Will people stay with it if there are only small movies.

[Vakanai]

I agree with you totally, but at the same time when you watch FAWS that battle scene looks the same quality as any other big budget MCU blockbuster

FAWS is just trying to drive up Disney+ subscriptions. It doesn't have to be profitable in and of itself just yet, it just needs to get Disney+ some subscribers who hopefully stay for more content.

But once Disney+ has a base foundation? It can only afford to do so much streaming first/only/same day. Some movies are going to need big theater numbers to be profitable.
There's a difference between getting the content to make their streaming service profitable, and making their big BIG movies profitable. They want both of those pies.

[luprki]

Streaming isn’t TV, DVD nor VHS. Steaming is success is based on monthly subscriptions. Disney+ will add millions of subscribers when BW is released, most of whom will stay subscribers. Meaning Disney+ will continue to make millions well after the BW release. The studios couldn’t do this with TV, DVD or VHS. Remember with streaming, it’s all about monthly subscribers-a whole different ballgame.

[numberthirty]

Streaming isn’t TV, DVD nor VHS. Steaming is success is based on monthly subscriptions. Disney+ will add millions of subscribers when BW is released, most of whom will stay subscribers. Meaning Disney+ will continue to make millions well after the BW release. The studios couldn’t do this with TV, DVD or VHS. Remember with streaming, it’s all about monthly subscribers-a whole different ballgame.

This prediction would be based on what exactly?

[inisideguy]

I really thought with the current vaccination rates that Black Widow would be released in May no problem. Thats what I get for thinking.

[Vakanai]

Streaming isn’t TV, DVD nor VHS. Steaming is success is based on monthly subscriptions. Disney+ will add millions of subscribers when BW is released, most of whom will stay subscribers. Meaning Disney+ will continue to make millions well after the BW release. The studios couldn’t do this with TV, DVD or VHS. Remember with streaming, it’s all about monthly subscribers-a whole different ballgame.

And...? Does this somehow make the billion dollars a pop theatrical blockbusters somehow not a profit that Disney will want to keep?

They can get and keep subscribers and still have theatrical exclusive premiere movies. I can't think of an argument why they wouldn't want that.