Just over a week ago 'F9' revved into cinemas, posting the highest opening weekend since the pandemic began. Many exhibitors were then excited about the further promise of school holidays and two other upcoming major releases in 'The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard' and 'In The Heights'.
But what a difference a week can make, with new outbreaks of the virus impacting cinemas across the country and disrupting the market.
Coming off an all-time industry record in 2016, the Australian theatrical market lost a bit of momentum in 2017 – a cyclical downturn which does not worry distributors or exhibitors.
Universal’s 'The Fate of the Furious' raced to the top of the Aussie box office over the Easter long weekend, pulling in $10.1 million.