Box office plunges to lowest level in over two decades amid coronavirus pandemic

LOS ANGELES, - Much of public life in the United States essentially ground to a halt this week. In the entertainment world, theme parks shut down, Broadway went dark, studios pulled major tentpoles from their release calendar, and virtually all Hollywood movies and TV shows halted production as coronavirus continues to rapidly spread across North America.

Domestic receipts were inevitably going to plummet this weekend because AMC and Regal, two of the biggest movie theater chains, and several other circuits like Alamo Drafthouse and Arclight, cut capacity in individual auditoriums by 50% to avoid crowding. Reducing the number of tickets sold per theater helped multiplexes comply with Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for “social distancing.” Theaters also kept room between rows and seats to ensure patrons had ample space.

Last weekend’s champion, Disney-Pixar’s “Onward,” remained the No. 1 movie at the domestic box office, as three new films opened to varying degrees of disappointment. “Onward” pulled in $10.5 million in its second outing, a brutal 73% decline from its inaugural weekend. After two weeks of release, “Onward” has made $60.8 million in North America and $101 million globally.

“The Hunt,” an R-rated political satire from Universal and Blumhouse, came in fifth place with $5.3 million from 3,028 locations, about half of what was expected heading into the weekend. It carries a $14 million price tag. “The Hunt” had been the subject of controversy since it was initially slated for last September. But Universal scrapped its release in wake of three mass shootings, as well as intense media scrutiny after President Donald Trump criticized it on Twitter.

box office plummet to another level in buying toilet papers....

Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Sporting calendar shredded as coronavirus ravages top eventsThe collapse of sports events worldwide gathered pace as more major competitions got swept aside by the coronavirus pandemic.
Source: rapplerdotcom - 🏆 4. / 86 Read more »

LIVE UPDATES: Metro Manila community quarantine takes effect amid COVID-19 outbreakCNN Philippines gives you real-time updates on the coronavirus pandemic. The Health Department also confirms three new deaths due to the disease: An 86-year-old American man from Marikina City, a 40-year-old Filipino from Pasig City and a 64-year-old man from Negros Oriental Include the number of those who have recovered and not just the deaths. MaamSyj Yung mga nagsasabi dati na OA ang mga kritiko noon, eto yun! Eto yung kinatatakutan namin dahil sa presidente niyong napaka-indecisive, napaka-inutil at napakasipsip sa China! Ayan na, dumarami na ang infected. Kinang ina niyo mga DDS. Kasalanan niyo lahat to mga leche!
Source: CNN Philippines - 🏆 13. / 63 Read more »

Some Rome churches reopen after angry pope steps inSome of Rome's Catholic churches reopened Friday after Pope Francis voiced displeasure with the Italian authorities' push to shut them because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Source: manilabulletin - 🏆 25. / 51 Read more »

London Marathon postponed until October 4Another major race that draws runners around the world has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Source: rapplerdotcom - 🏆 4. / 86 Read more »

ADB extends $3-M grant to the Philippines for COVID-19 responseThe Asian Development Bank has approved a $3-million grant (about ₱150 million) to the Philippines to tackle the novel coronavirus pandemic, including the purchase of medical supplies.
Source: CNN Philippines - 🏆 13. / 63 Read more »

Federal Reserve cuts rates to zero to support the US economy during the coronavirus pandemicThe swifter-than-expected rate cut is designed to prevent the kind of credit crunch and financial market disruptions that occurred the last time the Fed had to cut rates all the way to the bottom
Source: CNN Philippines - 🏆 13. / 63 Read more »