International Box Office Craters as Movie Theaters in Major Markets Remain Closed

By Tom Grater

Theatrical box office in the Asia-Pacific region fell 85 percent in the first two months of 2020, an unprecedented crash brought on by the emergence and explosive spread of the new coronavirus, says a new report from S&P Global Intelligence. As alarm over the virus radiated outwards from China in late January, many cinemas throughout the region shut down, audiences began avoiding those theaters that were still open, and distributors canceled scores of new releases.

Theatrical box office in the Asia-Pacific region tumbled a massive 85% in the first two months of the year. The coronavirus caused cinema closures, audience hesitation, and a halving of the number of film releases.

The South Korean box office, which has been widely affected by coronavirus and has fallen to historic lows, was further hit by leading exhibitor CJ-CGV’s recent decision to shut 35 complexes nationwide, and to reduce screenings at those theaters remaining in operation.

The movie theaters in China are once again closing amid the global crisis.

By Tom Grater

By Anthony D'Alessandro, Nancy Tartaglione

Lottie Ryan waltzed her way through Dancing with the Stars and scooped the glitterball trophy on Sunday night with her Italian professional partner Pasquale La Rocca.

The European box office took a major hit over the weekend, with cinemas in several major territories —including France, Spain and Italy—shut down entirely in response to the coronavirus epidemic and the ones still open playing to half-empty rooms. Revenue in the U.K.

Theatrical box office in South Korean capital, Seoul dipped to a 16-year low, as ticket sales have moved in inverse proportion to the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus rises. Exhibitors have turned to re-releases to try to entice audiences.

By Nancy Tartaglione

Unlike in Italy and Belgium, French theaters will remain open in spite of a ban on gatherings for more than 100 people, according to a spokesperson of the FNCF, France’s national exhibitors org.

Reality star Lucy Mecklenburgh has given birth to her first child, a baby boy, with fiancé Ryan Thomas.The 28 year old new mum and Ryan, 35, made the announcement on Instagram with a black and white photo of their child's little hand wrapped around Lucy's finger. She captioned the snap: "Roman Ravello Thomas," followed by a blue heart emoji.

By Anthony D'Alessandro, Nancy Tartaglione

Nearly 70,000 theaters were shuttered in China in late Januaryin a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus, with Italy's government following suit on March 8 after the local box office had already seen steep declines. But in the U.S., where there are 41,000-plus movie screens, exhibitors appear to be holding out for now by keeping their doors open even as many live events where more than 1,000 people will gather are being postponed.

By Tom Grater, Nancy Tartaglione

The impact of restrictions aimed at stemming the spread of the coronavirus in Europe is already being felt at the box office as Italian cinemas shut down this weekend and ticket revenues plunged. In a governmental decree issued Sunday, Italy shut down all cinemas, along with museums, shows and cultural sites, in a bid to halt the advance of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.