ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
The movie industry saw multiple ups and downs throughout 2024, and as Mitchell Theatres owner Brian Mitchell tells it, Liberal’s Southgate Cinema 6 was not completely immune from those.
“The 2024 spring and summer movie season was a little slow for us since we were still somewhat recovering from the writer's strikes and all of that situation, but it still ended up well for us,” Mitchell said. “On the family movie side, we had 'IF,' 'The Garfield Movie,' 'Inside Out 2' and 'Despicable Me 4,' among some others, and I know 'Inside Out 2' did especially well. Two of the bigger releases we had were definitely 'Deadpool and Wolverine' and 'Twisters,' and we also had 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' released. We also had 'A Quiet Place: Day One' coming out, along with Kevin Costner's 'Horizon: An American Saga' project. With all of that, it was quite a variety for people to choose from. Then, the fall of 2024 started off really big for us with 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,' which a real gangbuster for us, and then October brought in 'Joker: Folie à Deux,' which didn't end up resonating with audiences as some were expecting. Then, the year ended with the holiday blockbusters 'Gladiator II' and 'Wicked: Part One' and 'Moana 2,' all of which ended up being juggernauts, and we also had 'Mufasa: The Lion King' and some other movies that ended up turning 2024 into an overall successful year, which proves to us if there are good movies at the theater, people will come.”
Overall, however, Mitchell said 2024 ended up rather successful.
“We were a little frustrated at the beginning of 2024 and the limited options because of the aftershocks of the writers' strikes and that situation, but we were able to push through, and then in June was when a big boom in business happened because of the releases of 'Inside Out 2' and 'Deadpool and Wolverine' and multiple other movies, which made us happy,” Mitchell said. “We're expecting 10 to 15 percent more major releases for 2025, and I feel like we're finally seeing much more of an upswing in business and going back to levels pre-pandemic and before the strikes, or at least close to that. We definitely grappled with that lack of available movies, and we were really glad to have multiple big releases in the pipeline as 2024 went on, and in multiple different genres.”
With 2024 wrapped up, Mitchell said there is a lot to be excited about for 2025 with the movie industry.
“There are a lot of great movies coming out in 2025, some of them coming soon. 'Captain America: Brave New World' will be out Feb. 14, as well as 'Paddington in Peru,' so those should bring in a lot of people, and Disney's new 'Snow White' movie will be coming out in March,” Mitchell said. “I know there will be another 'Mission: Impossible' movie being released, and I think people will also be really excited for the 'Thunderbolts' movie from Marvel and Disney's live-action 'Lilo & Stitch' remake. There are also a few movies that have been delayed for a little while that will finally be released this year, and we've got a great schedule so far, and fans of 'Wicked: Part One' should mark their calendars for November because that's when 'Wicked: For Good' will be released, which should be really big. Overall, there will be bigger movies and smaller movies, and there will be multiple genres for people to choose from, which, like I always say, is what people like.”
The wide variety of expected releases for 2025, Mitchell said, should help draw people to the movies.
“The wide variety we're expecting for 2025 is really exciting because like I always say, variety is what people want and what people like. Not everyone likes the Marvel franchise or those more action-oriented films, not everyone is a fan of musicals, and not everyone is necessarily a Disney fan, so the great thing about 2025 is there will be a variety to choose from,” Mitchell said. “We're also really glad to have that range of family movies coming out, because a lot of families to have special movie nights or days, so we definitely want to have something for them. We've kept the ticket prices the same since we bought the theatre in 2009, and we're working to keep those prices, along with the prices of our concessions, affordable for everyone so they keep coming in. There's a lot of stress in the world right now, and movies are a good way to help alleviate that – what's a better afternoon or evening out than with a movie and friends or your significant other? Seeing a movie in a crowded, dark auditorium with other people who are laughing/crying/screaming at the same things you are is great, and it's all about that sense of community – you can watch movies at home and/or on TV, but there's something about watching a movie in a theater with other people that just can't be beat.”
Overall, Mitchell said, 2025 should be a good year for moviegoers.
“I've mentioned this before, but I'd like to remind people Mitchell Theaters is with Fandago now in regards to people being able to purchase tickets online, and we're really excited about that,” Mitchell said. “We appreciate all the customers who have come out and watched movies, and we'll continue to do our best to make sure people feel comfortable coming in and watching a movie, and I hope that will continue. If you've got a free afternoon or evening this season and you're looking for something to do, come out and see a movie!”
