MANATEE — Movie tickets appear to be a hot commodity in a recession.
What’s the secret of the silver screen’s success?
Movie theater officials say flicks are giving people a reasonably priced two-hour escape at a time when some need it most. Box office grosses have increased in five of the past seven recessions.
And it seems box offices are on track to increase in this recession as well.
“Our business is doing well during these rough economic times,” said Chad Browning, marketing manager for Regal Cinemas, which owns Regal Oakmont 8 in Bradenton. “I still think we are one of the cheapest forms of entertainment as sporting events and concerts tend to be more expensive.”
Box office numbers have been up nationwide this summer.
Total gross movie ticket sales through Fourth of July weekend was $5.5 billion, up from the $3.7 billion recorded over the same period last year, according to Box Office Mojo, an Web site that tracks box office numbers and movie news.
The gross for 2008 was $9.6 billion.
“The box office has been booming so far this year,” said Brandon Gray, president and publisher of Box Office Mojo. “Overall, business is 11 percent better than 2008 at the same point. So far, 2009 has an excellent chance of being the highest grossing of all time. It has a shot at over $10 billion and that would be the first time the box office crossed $10 billion.”
Barbie Burnett and her daughter, Sarah Burnett, aren’t cutting films from the budget. They still catch a movie once every two weeks.
“We love movies, we love entertainment,” Barbie Burnett said. “It’s a lot cheaper than going out to a live show.” However, the family still finds ways to save on theater expenses by attending matinees and spending less at the concessions.
“We won’t go out to dinner before or if we do, we don’t go anywhere expensive,” said Sarah Burnett.
At Carmike Royal Palm 20 in Bradenton, Assistant Manager Ryan Reed said that attendance for 2009 so far has been 250,000 compared to 220,000 through the same period last year.
“This year is definitely better than last year,” Reed said. “I think it also has to do with the fact that the movies are better this year.”
Gray agrees.
“The bottom line is the movies drive the box office,” Gray said. “There have been some tremendous lows in this recession. December and March had the worst box office grosses in over a decade for those months. When the movies are appealing, the box office is up.”
Ellie Prezioso, who attended an afternoon showing of Public Enemies at Carmike Royal Palm 20, said she typically avoids the theater unless a movie is a must-see in her book. “Usually I go to the dollar theater,” Prezioso said. “Unless it seems like a really good first-run movie, then I spend extra.”
Clint Weldon, spokesman for Lakewood Ranch Cinemas, said attendance is steady this year.
“People are coming out to see films because they’re bored at home and they’re getting away from the economy,” Weldon said. “It’s just one of those things to take people’s minds off of it.”
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