Why Movie Theaters Are Leaning on Concert Films More Than Ever — And How Artists Benefit

In October 2023, Taylor Swift's movie, "The Eras Tour," shattered box office records by grossing $93 million in its opening weekend in North America. This surge in ticket sales occurred during a time when the film industry was facing a dearth of theatrical releases due to ongoing writers' and actors' strikes. The film's success highlighted the growing importance of concert films for movie theaters, which are seeking alternative content as major studio releases have dwindled.

Brooks LeBeouf, senior vice president of U.S. content at Regal Cinemas, the second-largest theater chain in the U.S., stated that "The Eras Tour became the highest-grossing concert film of all time and proved that audiences will turn out for premium music experiences in theaters." This was not the first hit concert film at movie theaters; in the late 2000s and early 2010s, films like "Best of Both Worlds" (2008), "Never Say Never" (2011), and "This Is Us" (2013) also had success.

The difference now is that major studios release fewer films, making concert films and other alternative content more crucial for filling theaters' revenue gaps.

Daniel Loria, senior vice president of content strategy and editorial director at Boxoffice Media, noted that "In 2015, when Fox operated independently as a studio, Fox Searchlight and 20th Century Fox released 26 movies. Last year, as a division of Disney, 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures combined released, I think, nine movies."

This significant reduction in major studio releases directly impacts theaters' bottom lines, as Daniel explained. Jeff Kaufman, senior vice president of film and marketing at Malco Theatres, echoed this sentiment, stating that while the quantity of concert films may not replace the loss of one major studio film, it provides theaters with an opportunity to fill gaps during certain times of the week.

The most recent example of theaters' increased reliance on alternative content is AMC Theatres' Arena One initiative. In May, AMC announced a new plan to showcase concerts from renowned artists like Paris Hilton, Bebe Rexha, Kim Petras, and Maren Morris from a live stage in Pennsylvania, streamed to over 300 of their locations nationwide.

These shows would offer an interactive experience, allowing artists to engage with fans in theaters across the country. However, the initiative was postponed just weeks after its announcement due to strong box office performance and a robust lineup of films, according to AMC Theatres. AMC's reliance on alternative content is evident, as Loria notes that "The artist can literally walk up to the edge of our stage in our studio and point to you at the [AMC at the] Grove [mall in Los Angeles], and say, ‘Hey, love that black sweater you’re wearing. Stand up and tell them what you want to say.’"