Cinema giants’ stocks just can’t seem to catch a break this year. Disappointing movies early in the year were followed by the shutdown of circuits due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, resulting release delays, liquidity concerns and a premium VOD dispute with Universal Pictures.
Despite a controversy about face mask requirements, things seemed to be looking up when the big exhibitors last week detailed their reopening plans for July.
But now a new wave of delays of film releases due to a surge in COVID-19 cases has put pressure on exhibition stocks again and brought new uncertainty.
On Thursday, Warner Bros.' pushed Tenet from July 31 to Aug. 12, while Disney's Mulan is expected to give up its July 24 release date.