Fattest Film Fall Season Ever

This fall’s movie boxoffice season was the biggest ever by an astonishing 32% according to the Hollywood Reporter:

The national boxoffice was on a blistering pace during the autumn season as four films grossed more than $100 million each — an industry first — and cash registers rang up a staggering $1.58 billion in receipts.

….Perhaps more importantly, admissions followed suit as the turnstiles were spinning faster than Santa can slide down a chimney. Estimated ticket units for the fall season were 271.3 million, a stunning increase of 30% over last year’s 208 million.

….Leading the charge at the boxoffice were four films that topped $100 million each: Buena Vista’s “Sweet Home Alabama,” IFC’s “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” and DreamWorks’ “The Ring.” The next three highest-grossing films of the season were within $15.3 million or less of reaching that level.

Why the bonanza?

The gains at the boxoffice this year were realized through a wide range of genres appealing to a broad spectrum of moviegoers, as well as a healthy supply of quality films, which for the most part are receiving positive response from audiences.

Hmm scintillating analysis: people went to the movies a lot because they liked them – nice one Sherlock. My guess is that, besides films “receiving positive response from audiences,” people feel safe in movie theaters. The dark is soothing: we always feel more comfortable watching than being watched, and 3D audeinces feel a sense of control over 2D movie worlds.

Besides, movie theater managers are all heroic and stuff.