Monster Hunter Movie is Fearless By Releasing This Week
We said they were crazy in October, and two months later the absurdity has reached new heights. As the world clings to hope for the distribution of a vaccine, the global pandemic continues to rage. While most countries exercise caution, Sony is encouraging fans to throw caution to the wind by going to the movies. In the middle of a global pandemic. During the worst season of the pandemic. Much to our chagrin, the new Monster Hunter movie is releasing this Friday in theaters. Let’s dive in.
Alone and Unafraid
The timeless adage in the television and film industry is “the show must go on.” But should it? Here’s a quick recap from our analysis in October:
- Monster Hunter needs to earn at least $30 million at the domestic box office to break even.
- Regal closed all of its 536 theaters in the United States, which decreased the overall theater capacity by 10 percent.
- Most states in the U.S. are allowing less than 30 percent capacity at movie theaters.
- Despite reduced capacity at indoor events, a large portion of society is refraining from all non-essential indoor activities.
In the midst of these dire social and economic circumstances, Sony proudly released the following trailer on Twitter:
Monster Hunter on the big screen is exciting; however, the thought of contracting a deadly virus is equally off-putting. As a lifelong Monster Hunter fan, I want the franchise to succeed; however, the approach is reckless and shortsighted. An alternative option is a video-on-demand release, which is the best vehicle to allow fans to support the movie safely.
Movie lovers have already proven that they will support video-on-demand options. In fact, The King of Staten Island generated over $40 million in VOD sales with little advertising or fanfare. But in the face of this evidence, Sony Pictures has given no date for a VOD release of Monster Hunter. Given the amount of revenue the company needs to generate, Sony could shift course rather quickly. While Monster Hunter is releasing on Friday, it might not be long before the movie appears on streaming platforms.
Conclusion
But we want to know what you think. Do you think Sony Pictures is smart by releasing the Monster Hunter Movie in middle of a pandemic? Will you watch the movie on opening night? Let us know in the comments below or the social media links on the right. Also, be sure to check out our other news items on Mario, Zelda, Monster Hunter, Call of Duty and more.
Want to dive deeper into your favorite games? Check out our editorial columns, such as On This Day in Gaming, Off the Record and Music that Moves. Also, subscribe to our social media links below or click on one of the links in our SoundCloud. Trust us: You will not want to miss a thing!
Finally, we are starting to stream every night and are looking to add to our community. Also, be one of the first 100 followers on Twitch for a chance to win a free GamingROI tee-shirt. All you have to do is click the links above and select “follow”. We will announce the winners at the end of each month. Until next time, enjoy!