‘It Finally Feels Like We’re Back in 2019’: Movie Theater Owners Rejoice Over $4 Billion Summer. Can the Fall Keep the Momentum?

By Rebecca Rubin

Rebecca Rubin

Senior Film and Media Reporter

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B&B Theatres CEO Bob Bagby apologized to his staffers in advance. He was bracing for the opening weekend of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and knew everyone would need to work around the clock. That’s no exaggeration: Screenings were scheduled at such odd hours as 8 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. to meet demand.

“We were calling managers to add show times and get employees to stay. We just kept selling out,” Bagby recalls. “Nobody had Sunday off. It was tough on the team, but they were happy to see the crowds.”

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