The new James Bond 007 film, Spectre has justhad its Cinema release, here in the UK. Yet it has only dawned on me that it is being released on a Monday, not the usual Friday day of new releases!
When I was younger, films used to be released on a Sunday, you would always hear the booming voice at the end of the adverts on TV announce ‘At a Cinema near you from Sunday. Check local press for details’
This would later change to a Thursday, but for as long as I have been regularly going to the cinema, it has been a Friday.
This would appear to appeal to audiences, that I would assume are most likely to head to the cinema on a Friday or Saturday night. I would imagine that this is likely due to the late finish, given length of films these days. Going on Friday or Saturday means they can have a later alarm call, with no work the next day.
Working from home, I am lucky enough to be able to go during the day. During the day, it is never too busy, so not challenged by cinema ideas of us all having an allocated seat or being put next to someone, who wants to use his phone throughout the film.
Big releases are now sneaking out on Wednesdays and Thursdays, even Midnight screenings in some cases. All to no doubt be used to create a buzz around the film’s opening weekend.
Spectre, I thought was a first to go for a Monday release date, but I have also noticed that Suffragette starring Meryl Streep & Carey Mulligan also got a Monday release! Its producers specifically decided this, to keep it away from bigger box office films opening on Friday!
But it has got me thinking, surely it would be beneficial for a film to revert back to a Sunday? This would surely help the cinemas, as the film audience who are desperate to see a film would go during the week, pushing its mid-week takings up when surely these are lower.
Mid-week movie viewing can be popular, as many a time I had been stuck in significantly long queues due to Orange Wednesdays, a promotion run by a phone company offering 2 for 1 tickets on this day.
The promotion is now run by an insurance search engine promoted by Meerkats. Under the banner of Meerkat Movies, this occurs now on a Tuesday as well as the Wednesday. I would hope it is still as popular but going during the day now, I am not so much impacted by it.
As mention in this blog, films did get released on a Sunday but I have to assume Friday works best for cinemas to release a new film.
I would hate to think that this is a knock on effect of film piracy, that cinemas need to get as many people into their screens before the film is leaked online. It is more likely to make box office figures look better, as a film opening at a weekend, would surely do better than a film that opened on a Sunday?
Reverting back to Sunday release day, I guess I am thinking of myself. Working from home, rather than being in a committed 9 to 5 job, I could see the latest releases before those whose commitments means they can only see them at the weekend. Sorry =)
However one thing I do know is that on December 17th, due to an awakening in the Force, cinemas will be packed to the rafters on a Thursday as we welcome Han Solo and co back with the return of the Star Wars saga
What do you think of Friday as a film release day? Do you like it or would you prefer an earlier in the week release? We at BMAF would love to hear from you
