Cinemas catch fire in October with best box office since February 2020

October was more like Christmas for America’s shut-down and embattled movie theaters. AMC, Cinemark, and Imax all reported that their box office sales during the month were the highest since the pandemic hit.

Revenue during the month was close to $622 million, according to Box Office Mojo. The last highest ring for cinemas in the United States was $638 million in February 2020.

“I am thrilled that we have reached a new milestone within the industry’s recovery, delivering our best monthly box office performance since the reopening of our theaters,” said Cinemark CEO Mark Zoradi. “I want to thank our entire Cinemark team that has worked tirelessly to provide a premium out-of-home entertaining escape for moviegoers.”

“Venom: Let There Be Carnage” kicked off the month for Cinemark’s best October opening ever, according to a company press release. Other titles drawing crowds were the James Bond movie “No Time To Die,” “Halloween Kills,” “The Addams Family 2,” and “Dune.”

Cinema chains have high hopes for other new releases this fall, which include a new version of “West Side Story” from Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott’s “House of Gucci” starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver, and “Don’t Look Up” with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence.