It’s the first film to pass $100 million since the pandemic began.
As movie theaters begin to reopen in full and in earnest, the films that studios have had locked and loaded for several months, waiting for the right moment, have had their triggers pulled. So far, it’s been slow going; films like Cruella, while technically operating at a loss, are still bringing in a lot of viewers both in theaters and on streaming platforms. However, the theater industry does seem to be gradually returning to the proper track, at least if the performance of a returning horror film is any indication.
A Quiet Place Part II, the sequel to John Krasinski’s 2018 horror thriller, has officially passed $100 million in box office profit with the combined totals from the United States and Canada. In a vacuum, such a profit would be nothing special, but in the current theater industry climate, it’s a major milestone: A Quiet Place Part II is the very first theatrical release to crack $100 million at the box office since the pandemic began in earnest last year. The film was actually supposed to premier last year, but was delayed due to the pandemic, which in the long run, may have ended up being the better decision; what it may lose in profits, it’s more than making up for in brownie points. The success of this film could serve as the starting flag for the proper return of the theater industry.
‘A Quiet Place Part II’ is the First Movie of the Pandemic Era to Cross $100 Million Domestically https://t.co/ODqb7yvitX
— Bloody Disgusting (@BDisgusting) June 14, 2021
Still, things aren’t quite status quo just yet. Surveys show that there is still a lot of hesitancy from potential audience members in the United States and Canada. The primary concern, as one would expect, is concerns about the spread of COVID-19, especially from folks in vulnerable groups like the elderly. The other major factor is the existence of streaming services with simultaneous movie releases like HBO Max and Disney+. Why go to the movies, after all, when you can stay home and watch the same thing? Perhaps if theaters can get a few more major hits like A Quiet Place Part II, things can start evening out.
