How Long Do Movies Stay in the Theater?

Even since the coronavirus cases have reduced to zero, we have begun celebrating independence by visiting our favourite public places. One place that remains overcrowded for quite some time now is the movie theater.

New movies are being released every other day. Most of us are making sure not to miss a chance of watching our favorite movies in a dark, highly suitable environment while munching on butter-flavored popcorn.

If you do not want to miss watching movies on the big screen, it’s important to know how long a movie stays in the theater? It will help you know how much time you have to make time for a good movie getaway.

So, How Long Does a Movie Usually Stay in the Theater?

The most appropriate answer to the question would be there is no specific preset time. Each theater has its “own” rules. However, there is one rule that all theaters follow, it’s the movies that do good stays longer than the average ones.

A movie that does well usually stays in the theater for weeks; typically three to four weeks. Whereas, the average movie stays from a few days to a week.

The theaters are not bound by law to keep a movie running for a specific time. Therefore, whenever the authorities find a good replacement, they replace it.

movies generally do not stay longer

As stated above whenever the replacement arrives, the theater authorities move heaven and earth to switch to a fresh one.

If they have got a bunch of options, even the hit movies do not stay more than a week.

For example, on Christmas, hundreds of Christmas movies are released. The theaters have a lot to show, therefore, whether it’s a hit or flop the movies do not stay longer.

Then there are some movies that we only want to watch on a particular occasion, such movies are shown only for a day or two.

Some movies have stayed longer

The blockbusters are exceptions to the rule. The blockbusters such as Titanic, Frozen, The Fault in our Stars, and The Notebook, that have touched our hearts stayed longer in the theaters. Such movies were not played for weeks but Months! A movie generally does not stay that long.

If the demand is that high, the theater authorities have no choice but to keep the movie.

Why Do Movies not Stay Longer in Theaters?

The reason is quite obvious and practical, people start losing interest with every passing day. Moreover, when a movie gets released on DVD, people rarely come to watch it in theaters.

The movies typically take 4 to 5 months to be released on DVD, until then as long as people come to watch it the movie stays in the theater.

The theater authorities try their best not to disappoint their customers, therefore they decide while keeping a few factors in mind.

Factors Determine How Long a Movie Would Stay in the Theater

There are a few factors that help theater authorities in determining how long a movie should stay. Its popularity, box office numbers, and genre.

Popularity

It’s pretty obvious why the movies that touch our hearts get to stay longer? As long as the people keep demanding, the theater can not check the movie off their schedule.

Box office rating

Box office ratings also affect the number of days a movie will stay in the theater. If the movie that people eagerly waited for gets low box office ratings, theaters check it off without having second thoughts. However, if the box office rating is high, the movie can stay for weeks to months.

Genre

Genres play an important role in deciding how long a movie should stay. The action, science fiction, and superhero flicks stay longer than romcoms, horror, and comedy movies. Sometimes people get theater on rent to enjoy.

Conclusion

In brief, Typically the movies stay in theaters for weeks. If a movie is a big hit, it stays for a good three to four weeks. Whereas, the flop movies hardly last a few days to weeks. The popularity, box office ratings, and genre help theater authorities in determining how long a movie would stay.