From incipience to status quo: Development from theatre to streaming

This paper highlights the profound impact of streaming platforms on the profitability and distribution of mainstream films. Through digital innovations that have since transformed the entertainment industry, consumers have turned to video streaming services such as YouTube and Netflix, advancing accessible and affordable content instead of traditional theatrical releases. This transition, fueled by changes in consumer behaviour and accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has reshaped the film industry’s financial and cultural basis, with streaming platforms offering a viable and often preferable alternative to cinemas. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study analyses historical box office trends and industry professionals’ opinions to investigate the rise of streaming and the oscillating state of theatres. While box office revenues remain volatile, especially for mid-budget and independent films, streaming continues to grow: hitting a projected global market value over $184.3 billion by 2027. Insights from this research are crucial for future filmmakers, industry professionals, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of film distribution.