The movie industry was still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic when two of the most essential parts of the Hollywood machine — writers and actors — went on twin strikes. The dual walkouts, which hampered development and halted production on the vast majority of films and TV shows in the works at big studios — dealt another blow to theater chains still fighting to return to pre-pandemic levels of business.
” Chris Aronson, president of theatrical distribution at Paramount, was more optimistic, citing the success of recent theatrical events such as “Barbenheimer” and Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” and 'compelling product on the calendar' for next year. 'I think as long as there's some continuous flow of new product that the exhibition sector will be fine,' Aronson said. 'It’s not like when COVID shut the business down and there was no new film to speak of.