With the growing restrictions on gatherings and an increased call for social distancing, movie releases have been pushed back, some without a new date.
The last new release in theaters was on Mar. 6 with “Onward” from Disney Pixar. It had a weaker than anticipated opening weekend of $40 million even with a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This weak opening is assumed to be due to early concerns of the COVID-19 virus in the United States.
Following the growing concern of the virus and lowered box office results, many films began to have opening dates pushed back.
Disney’s “Mulan,” which had it’s Hollywood premier on Mar. 9, canceled the Mar. 27 theater release. Disney has not announced the new released.
Disney has also pushed back the release of the Marvel Studios superhero film, “Black Widow.” It was originally set to be released on May 1, and has yet to be given a new release date.
The latest movie in the “Fast and Furious” series, “F9” was scheduled for a May 21 release has already moved the release date a year back to Apr. 2, 2021 due to concerns over the virus.
The new James Bond movie, “No Time to Die,” was the first major release to be pushed back due to the virus. It was reported by the Hollywood Reporter that the cost of the move for MGM was up to $50 million. The new scheduled release is Nov. 20, 2020.
The upcoming “Wonder Woman 1984,” distributed by Warner Bros, as yet to announce a change to its Jun. 5 release.
With the lack of new movie release and attendance, movie theaters like AMC Fullerton, have closed for at least six weeks as of Mar. 17.
Prior to the closure, theaters still offered showings with ticket sales being capped at half capacity.