That headline probably gave JD Vance a sensation in his pants, but it should worry most filmmakers and film lovers. I've been going to the movies every week this year and doing my part, but the numbers for the 2025 summer box office are in, and they're not pretty. Right now, we're seeing reports of only $3.6 billion in North America. That's a small drop from $3.67 billion last year and a huge one from $4.09 billion in 2023.Unfortunately, it's not because there aren't enough movies. It's because people aren't showing up.Let's dive in. You Can't Compete With the Couch Let's be real. We've all done it. "Should we go to the theater and spend $20 on a ticket, plus another $20 on popcorn and a soda? Or should we just wait a few weeks and watch it on Netflix?"The couch is winning. More and more people are opting to stay home. And who can blame them? The home viewing experience is getting better and better, and the cost of going to the movies is getting higher and higher.But here's what that means for you, the screenwriter. That four-quadrant blockbuster you're writing? The one that needs a massive opening weekend to be profitable? The studios are getting scared to make those. They're looking for movies that are either so big and event-worthy that people have to see them in a theater, or so cheap that they can make their money back on streaming and VOD.That middle ground is disappearing.The International...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - 2 days ago