The closure of cinemas in Australia, the US and many other markets is resulting in a steady stream of movies going straight to digital platforms.
Christopher Nolan's time-travel thriller 'Tenet' and Niki Caro's live-action adventure-drama 'Mulan' will be the first two major Hollywood releases in July, if Australian cinemas are allowed to open that month - along with cinemas in most other territories.
Melbourne's Cinema Nova, the Eddie Tamir family-owned cinemas and Village Cinemas' Coburg drive-in will re-open next month - but indications are that most cinemas in other states are unlikely to turn on the lights until July.
As cinemas around the country prepare to open their doors in July Universal Pictures has set release dates for Shannon Murphy's Babyteeth and Krib Stenders' Slim & I.
As more cinemas around Australia opened their doors, ticket sales improved last weekend from a low base as several art house titles led by Kitty Green's The Assistant entered the market.
In the pre-COVID-19 world, 'Where'd You Go Bernadette?' a drama starring Cate Blanchett, Billy Crudup, Kristen Wiig and newcomer Emma Nelson, was launched in the US last year by United Artists Releasing, playing widely on more than 2,400 screens.
Opening on 250-plus screens on August 27, the day after its CinefestOZ premiere at Orana Cinemas in Busselton, Jeremy Sims' 'RAMS' will be the first Australian wide release since cinemas re-opened.
"I’d hoped for a stronger opening for 'Babyteeth' given the reviews and the fact that it’s an Australian film; however there is plenty of time for audiences to discover this gem."