• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, 6 hours ago

U.S. and Canada box-office results shows a 15% increase through the first half of 2026, according to Rentrak -- to $4.7 billion.

If that trend continues 2026 could get to a best post-pandemic year -- to reach $9.4 billion.

But that would still be far behind the $11.9 billion that 2018 brought in.

In the recent past, some analysts may point to in-home streaming, which coincided perfectly with at-home pandemic behavior. But others now say there are structural issues behind its decline.

This includes the screen itself. The thinking is that those all-encompassing super-large IMAX screens continue to see great business, which come with a higher price point from moviegoers. Standard average movie tickets are around an average $16, with IMAX tickets roughly $20 to $26.

And start times are a problem. Every modern theater customer knows that a 7 p.m. start time really means around 7:25 p.m. when the actual film commences, due to pre-show content and trailers.

The thinking is that the standard looking U.S. movie theater’s screen is in desperate need of a refresh.

Other issues involve those people around you. There are concerns about mobile phones, with moviegoers talking while movies are playing.

But what probably is no longer mentioned is streaming platforms -- which were top of mind and always mentioned as a major problem, leading to theatrical movie woes in 2020 and 2021.

Leaving streaming out of the discussion might be the right call. While more older moviegoers may be sitting at home more these days, young people continue to go out -- especially now that some of their social-media influencers are moving to the big screen.

It is about the not-always definable movie-quality experience after all. Movie-theater films got to ride theor own high train at times. Think of the 2023 summer, when high-flying “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” soared thanks to viral, social media-driven counter programming.

We remember what the meme “Barbenheimer” meant back then.

The BBC reported that thousands of moviegoers actively purchased tickets to see both films -- which were wildly different from each other -- on the same day, frequently dressing up in matching pink outfits and business suits.

No doubt a bigger screen size, better concessions, and an easier entertainment experience is needed. But there is also reason sometimes we can’t define too well.

Sorry, streaming. Sometimes you need to go for an unexpected film communal experience you can’t get in your living room.