6 pieces
The 45-day theatrical exclusivity window, first negotiated after the 2020 pandemic disruption, has become the de facto industry standard. The stability it provides is helpful. The constraint it preserves is partial.
The annual exhibitors' convention in Las Vegas is the single best public signal of the theatrical industry's mood. 2025 was cautiously better than 2024, and the studios noticed.
Georgia's 30% film tax credit survived the 2025 legislative session without a cap, but the underlying fiscal pressure that produced HB 129 is unlikely to recede before the 2026 session.
Sean Baker's four-award sweep for Anora at the 97th Academy Awards was the industry headline. His acceptance speech, which explicitly called on audiences to see films in cinemas, was the industrial subtext.
The 2024 global theatrical year closed near $30 billion, below the pre-pandemic benchmark and below public targets. The shape of the shortfall is more informative than the headline.
AMC Entertainment is still the largest movie-theatre chain in North America. It is also still, by several measurable metrics, insolvent. How is both of those true at the same time?