Part 6/10:
Total North American theatrical revenue this Labor Day weekend only matched the 2027 figure, trailing slightly behind the previous year’s 2023 gross by a mere $7 million. A re-release of Jaws by Universal—over half a century old—beat several new releases, illustrating how diminishing audience interest is even acknowledging age-old classics over new Hollywood offerings.
Industry Shock and Uncertainty
Studio executives and theater owners are now grappling with a sobering reality: the traditional filmgoing audience may be permanently altered. One leading studio insider admitted to being "very nervous"—suggesting there might not be enough crowd to sustain a healthy film industry. The assumption that more product would revive cinema attendance now seems increasingly unfounded.