Local weekend box office shows signs that it may be bouncing back

With the number of confirmed coronavirus patients remaining low, the local box office may finally be showing signs of recovery.

Compared to the weekend of April 11-12, when a total of 79,711 people went to the cinemas over the weekend, box-office sales climbed up to 92,344 over April 18-19. Over the weekend, the number again inched up to 92,789.

Although fears over the coronavirus seem to be abiding, a lack of new films premiering at theaters is seen as the primary reason for the local film industry to be struggling to make a rebound.

A re-release of “La La Land” ranked first over the weekend, gathering 17,000 people at 387 screenings nationwide.

“1917,” which has been in theaters since February, placed second, attracting 16,000 people to 347 screenings.

Third and fourth place were taken by hit Marvel films. “The Avengers” sold 7,037 admissions at 382 screenings, and “Avengers: Age of Ultron” sold 5,667 tickets through 365 screenings.

“After the Wedding” was the only new release amongst the top five films. The movie sold 5,451 tickets through 169 screenings.

Theaters nationwide are also preparing to come out from their spring hibernation. Last week CGV said that it will reopen the 36 branches that it shut down since March, and new releases such as “Trolls World Tour,” “My Spy” and “Kingdom” are scheduled for release this week.

By Lee Jae-lim