In a year where many were ready to write the obituary for theatrical distribution, 2025 has instead given us a masterclass in the resilience of the big screen.
While "IP" and sequels like “Avatar: Fire and Ash” or “Zootopia 2” continue to move the needle, the real story of the year is the survival—and success—of the original IP.
We’ve seen films like Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” and Zach Cregger’s “Weapon” break through the noise. These aren't just movies; they are proof that audiences still crave stories they haven't seen ten times before. We can also look at the surprise success of original horror and elevated thrillers like “Bring Her Back” and the historical epic “One Battle After Another,” which proved that when the craft is there, the audience will follow.
But why does it matter?
We are living in a moment where the "Streamer" is king. They get richer while we get more isolated.
We are dangerously close to the reality predicted in “WALL-E” where humanity is physically sedentary, staring into personal devices, and utterly disconnected from the person sitting next to them. Or look at “Her,” where the "connection" is entirely digital and solitary.
Despite the rising costs, the communal experience is more than just entertainment—it's a biological and mental necessity.
* Studies show that a cinema audience’s heartbeats actually begin to synchronize during a screening.
** The theater forces us out of our isolation. It demands that we move, share air, and react in real time with strangers.
*** Shared laughter or a collective gasp provides an emotional catharsis that sitting on a couch cannot replicate.
Streaming gives us convenience, but theatrical gives us community. If we lose the theater, we lose one of the last secular cathedrals where we can truly experience something together.
Let’s keep supporting the big screen. Not just for the sake of the industry, but for the sake of our own social health. 🎬🍿
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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