During Wildfires, Angelenos Found Solace in the Familiar Refuge of Movie Theaters
During the devastating wildfires in early January, many Angelenos sought refuge in an unexpected yet familiar place: movie theaters. Fires like the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire displaced thousands and blanketed the city with smoke, disrupting daily life and reigniting fears of confinement reminiscent of the pandemic. In these trying times, cinemas provided a welcome escape and a sense of community.
Residents flocked to theaters to momentarily distract themselves from the chaos. For instance, Cheyenne Shannon, a talent agent, attended three screenings in one week, including The Brutalist, a drama about tragedy and resilience. “Coming to the movies is a way to get away from everything and still leave feeling triumphant,” she shared.
The numbers support this trend. AMC Century City 15 ranked as the second top-grossing theater nationwide over the weekend of January 10-12, bringing in $221,000. Other Los Angeles theaters also performed strongly, with AMC Burbank 16 and AMC The Grove 14 landing in the top five. According to studio sources with access to proprietary data, the top five theaters nationwide included AMC Lincoln Square in New York City at No. 1 ($227,000), followed by Century City, AMC Burbank 16 ($178,000), AMC The Grove 14 ($145,000), and AMC Disney Springs 24 in Orlando ($142,000). Business was especially strong on January 10, likely boosted by school closures.
Movie theaters not only offered distraction but also practical benefits. Many had advanced air-filtration systems installed during the pandemic, providing respite from the hazardous air quality outside. Additionally, cinemas proved to be a more affordable entertainment option during a period of economic and emotional strain.
Interestingly, the decades-old Bay Theater in the Palisades emerged as a symbol of resilience, surviving the fires thanks to newer fire-retardant construction materials. Though closed, its survival reinforced the role of cinemas as community cornerstones.
Despite the challenges, Los Angeles remained the second-largest moviegoing market during this period, just behind New York. As the city begins its recovery, the importance of movie theaters as spaces for escape and connection has become more evident than ever. These venues continue to serve as a reminder of resilience, providing comfort in the face of adversity.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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During the devastating wildfires in early January, many Angelenos sought refuge in an unexpected yet familiar place: movie theaters. Fires like the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire displaced thousands and blanketed the city with smoke, disrupting daily life and reigniting fears of confinement reminiscent of the pandemic. In these trying times, cinemas provided a welcome escape and a sense of community.
Residents flocked to theaters to momentarily distract themselves from the chaos. For instance, Cheyenne Shannon, a talent agent, attended three screenings in one week, including The Brutalist, a drama about tragedy and resilience. “Coming to the movies is a way to get away from everything and still leave feeling triumphant,” she shared.
The numbers support this trend. AMC Century City 15 ranked as the second top-grossing theater nationwide over the weekend of January 10-12, bringing in $221,000. Other Los Angeles theaters also performed strongly, with AMC Burbank 16 and AMC The Grove 14 landing in the top five. According to studio sources with access to proprietary data, the top five theaters nationwide included AMC Lincoln Square in New York City at No. 1 ($227,000), followed by Century City, AMC Burbank 16 ($178,000), AMC The Grove 14 ($145,000), and AMC Disney Springs 24 in Orlando ($142,000). Business was especially strong on January 10, likely boosted by school closures.
Movie theaters not only offered distraction but also practical benefits. Many had advanced air-filtration systems installed during the pandemic, providing respite from the hazardous air quality outside. Additionally, cinemas proved to be a more affordable entertainment option during a period of economic and emotional strain.
Interestingly, the decades-old Bay Theater in the Palisades emerged as a symbol of resilience, surviving the fires thanks to newer fire-retardant construction materials. Though closed, its survival reinforced the role of cinemas as community cornerstones.
Despite the challenges, Los Angeles remained the second-largest moviegoing market during this period, just behind New York. As the city begins its recovery, the importance of movie theaters as spaces for escape and connection has become more evident than ever. These venues continue to serve as a reminder of resilience, providing comfort in the face of adversity.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Share:
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