Retro Blockbusters Surge at the Box Office, Fueling a Nostalgia-Driven Revival
LOS ANGELES, CA – A surprising trend is sweeping movie theaters nationwide: older films are drawing important crowds and boosting revenue, proving that audiences are eager to revisit cinematic classics on the big screen. From beloved franchises to iconic thrillers,anniversary screenings and re-releases are becoming a lucrative and increasingly popular component of the film industry’s business model.
Fathom Events, a distributor specializing in alternative content, has experienced substantial growth fueled by these retro showings. Chief Executive Ray Nutt reports the company has increased revenue by 45% and 48% over the last two years, with “classics” accounting for 20% to 40% of annual revenue – a figure translating to $20 million or more.
The upcoming 20th anniversary return of the “Twilight” saga, a partnership between Fathom and Lionsgate, exemplifies this trend. All five films,accompanied by roundtable footage with author Stephenie Meyer,are slated to screen in approximately 1,000 theaters starting October 29th,with Lionsgate’s head of distribution,Kevin Grayson,anticipating expansion to 1,500 to 2,000 locations due to strong presales. “‘Twilight’ has been out for a long time,” Grayson said, “But after seeing the significant ticket sales it has already brought in, you can tell people want that communal experience.”
Industry executives emphasize the low-risk, high-reward nature of these re-releases. Studios can leverage existing assets and marketing campaigns, appealing to both longtime fans and those experiencing the films for the first time on the big screen. “We make a real business out of [these screenings] every single year,” stated Jim Orr, Global Pictures’ president of domestic theatrical distribution. “Everyone understands that the best way to experience a movie is truly on the big screen.”
Disney is also capitalizing on the trend, scheduling a 30th anniversary screening of ”Toy Story” ahead of the release of “Toy Story 5” next year, and a re-release of “Avatar: The Way of Water” prior to the arrival of “Avatar: Fire and Ash” in December. Andrew Cripps, Disney’s theatrical distribution head, explained the strategic advantage: “It’s expensive to market a movie on a global basis. When you’ve got an established franchise and you’re building on something that’s had an audience in the past, it’s a lot easier to build your campaign on top of that, rather than starting from scratch.”
Recent successes demonstrate the audience appetite for these screenings. Last year, “Interstellar” earned $15.2 million during it’s IMAX re-entry, while “Coraline” grossed $34 million for its 15th anniversary.
the appeal extends beyond mere nostalgia. Moviegoers are seeking a shared experience that home viewing cannot replicate. Ella Paseua, a subscriber to AMC’s Stubs A-List program, described seeing “Jaws” on the big screen as “ceremonial,” noting the communal reactions – “People were applauding when the shark was caught. You don’t get that at home.”