Tom Cruise and Superman movies expected to boost box office

Tom Cruise is set to star in what might be his final "Mission: Impossible" movie this year. A new Superman will take flight, and the popular "Avatar" series will also be back in theaters. These films are raising hopes for a continued recovery of the box office in 2025. The movie industry has struggled since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Last year, North American box office earnings were $8.6 billion, which is still 25% less than the $11.4 billion seen in 2019. The situation was made worse in 2023 when Hollywood writers and actors went on strike, delaying many film projects. Tim Richards, CEO of Vue Cinemas, noted that it takes time for the filmmaking process to get back on track. CinemaCon, an annual convention for film industry leaders, will take place in Las Vegas next month. Executives from major Hollywood studios and theater chains will discuss the current state of the industry. At the recent Academy Awards, filmmaker Sean Baker emphasized the need to support theaters due to a decrease in available screens during the pandemic. Shawn Robbins, an expert at Fandango, mentioned that the film industry is transitioning to a "new normal." He explained that while audiences still enjoy blockbuster movies, they are becoming more comfortable waiting to watch others at home since many films are available to stream faster than before. Upcoming movies this year include "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" which launches on Memorial Day weekend. Other anticipated films include Brad Pitt's "F1" in June, and a new Superman film directed by James Gunn in July. Later in the year, audiences can look forward to "Wicked" and the latest "Avatar" installment. Robbins predicts that domestic box office revenues could rise slightly in 2025, possibly reaching around $9 billion. However, it's uncertain when box office sales will return to pre-pandemic levels. Richards believes the new "Avatar" movie could spark a strong recovery for cinemas over the next few years, with 2026 expected to have a lot of exciting films.