The COVID-19 pandemic drastically affected the way people sought entertainment. With theaters almost entirely shut down and streaming options limited, people were forced to invent their own ways to recreate the moviegoing experience. Some people streamed films on their laptops and smartphones while others even set up their own backyard “theaters,” projecting movies and shows onto bed sheets.
Movie theaters were all temporarily shut down during the pandemic. Now that they are open again and the threat of Covid-19 is almost gone, they are quickly regaining popularity as the nation finally adjusts to normal life.
Also contributing to the theaters’ growing traction are two new blockbuster movies: “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” These two movies, both released on July 21, 2023, have caused hundreds to flock to theaters to see it for themselves. “Barbie” received praise from critics for its playful portrayal of the Barbie world and the dynamic between Barbies and Kens, and its deeper and more meaningful underlying message. Although the Barbie movie was lighthearted and fun, “Oppenheimer” was its polar opposite. “Oppenheimer” detailed the life of the nuclear physicist and “father of the atomic bomb”, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and many viewers were shocked by the powerful plot points.
The two movies quickly became fan favorites due to box office reports revealing that Barbie and Oppenheimer reached a combined total of $1 billion in global ticket sales during the first week of their release, shattering box office records.
“Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” are not the only new movies to draw in viewers. “The Little Mermaid,” the newly released live-action remake of the classic children’s film, was brought to theaters on May 26, 2023. The movie follows the journey of a mermaid, Ariel, played by actress Halle Bailey, as she discovers and explores the lands outside the ocean. While the movie received some backlash because of the poor acting and the unappealing design of the sea creatures, many critics also praised the film for its diverse cast and more dynamic character growth.
Rotten Tomatoes states, “‘The Little Mermaid’ is the most successful of the live-action Disney remakes. The heart of the animated film exists within this new version which cannot be said for many other live action remakes. Though “The Little Mermaid” only received 67% rotten tomatoes, it also was given numerous positive reviews from viewers around the nation.
The appeal of going to a movie theater is to experience a film on the big screen. The reopening of theaters around the nation is a welcome change for those who were frequent moviegoers before the pandemic, and a great opportunity for anyone to experience newly released movies in a more vibrant, compelling way.
