Are Fewer Theatrical Releases In Store for Disney, Marvel, and ‘Star Wars’ Movies?

When Walt Disney World shut down during the initial stages of the pandemic, everything changed. When each Disney Park and Resort hotel re-opened months later, operations looked different as the company adapted to the ‘new normal.’ Each Cast Member and Guest wore masks, practiced social distancing, and in order to stay safe, fewer people visited Walt Disney World Resort.

However, nobody could have anticipated that the pandemic would affect not only how consumers visit theme parks but how they visit movie theaters as well.

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Entertainment studios everywhere are noticing that fewer and fewer consumers are visiting movie theaters. Not only are audiences less likely to take a chance on a film they may not enjoy, but they’re also less interested in spending money on movie theater tickets when they can wait a few months to watch it for substantially less.

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During the pandemic, you may remember that many films were being released on streaming services with extra fees attached. This was safer and more convenient than visiting the theater before COVID vaccines were available. It seems that audiences got used to experiencing films for the first time at home instead of at the movie theater.

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As a result, each film put released by the Walt Disney Company, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, or Lucasfilm becomes a significant financial risk. A report made by The Street points out that Disney made over $11 billion at the international box office in 2019 but has just made over $3 billion in 2022. An $8 billion difference can’t be ignored, even by a company as successful as the Walt Disney Company.

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Will upcoming Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm movies have lower budgets? Will fewer Disney, Star Wars, or Marvel films be released theatrically? Only time will tell for Disney fans.