'Our guests are excited to come back': Movie audiences heading back to theatres
It didn't happen overnight, but it seems audiences are rediscovering their love for watching movies in the theatre.
In Manitoba, COVID-19 restrictions preventing people from watching movies in theatres were lifted in mid-July. Audiences have been coming in waves ever since.
"Just recently we had a week where we beat 2019 levels," said Kevin Matthews, Cineplex's executive director of operations for Manitoba and Ontario North.
"When we first opened up, we achieved about 38 per cent of where we did compared to pre-pandemic in the same month in 2019," said Matthews.
He said since theatres opened in Manitoba in July, the levels have been climbing.
"August was 62 per cent, September 67 per cent, you know, October 80 per cent," he said. "So, you know, our guests are excited to come back."
Matthews said there are a number of factors contributing to higher ticket sales in Canada.
Vaccination numbers are up, giving more people access to theatres. Along with this, the past few months have seen several high-profile films being released in theatres. Marvel's "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," the new James Bond movie "No Time to Die" and "Venom: Let There Be Carnage" have all drawn big crowds.
"As we have strong product on top of strong product week after week, you know, that's when we really start to see our performance continue to grow," he said.
Cineplex believes another factor bringing in audiences is the communal experience of watching a film in a darkened theatre with other people.
"Feeling the energy from the crowd, it's unlike anything else," said Matthews. "You know, it's a great experience and it's really unmatched."
Cineplex said people want a safe way to go out and be entertained, and that is what it's focused on.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.