The coronavirus pandemic could have lasting effects on the film industry

MISHAWAKA, Ind. --- The coronavirus pandemic could have lasting effects on the film industry as we know it.

With movie theaters closed all across the country, people are turning to streaming services. Service like Netflix and Disney Plus are releasing more big-name movies on their platforms which gives us a little insight into the future of the industry.

Elaine Roth, a film studies professor at Indiana University South Bend, says the film industry is going into uncharted territory.

“It remains to be seen how things are going to play out,” Roth said. “This dramatic change, this moment we’re all living through, where we are not going to the movies and where movies are being streamed instead might lead to movies being released on multiple platforms at the same time.”  

From Frozen 2 being released on Disney Plus, to million-dollar productions like the Wonder Woman sequel Disney’s Mulan delaying their release dates, Hollywood is largely at a standstill due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Once the quarantine is lifted, there are just going to be fewer movies in the pipeline because production was halted for long. The United States has had a very steady stream of production for the last century,” Roth said.

Movie theatres are also taking a hit from the production delays and government-ordered closures but Roth says that doesn’t necessarily mean this is the end of them.

“Movies are a communal experience, they’re something you go out for and I think we’re all going to want to go out when this is over. The film industry is a huge part of our national economy so I think it will be resilient.”