Hollywood has been struggling to lure audiences to theatres to see dramas, even those featuring well-known, A-list actors. While trending in that direction for years, this has been especially true this fall. New York Times columnist Brooks Barnes looked at the trend for dramas to underperform at the box office this season, citing the examples of films such as CHRISTY, DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE, AFTER THE HUNT, and DIE MY LOVE. Many are left wondering what, if anything, can be done to revive the genre.
Over the past 10-15 years, audiences have migrated towards big-budget, action-packed franchise films over original dramas. Exhibitors have adapted by investing billions of dollars to increase the size and scope of their screens and auditoriums. However, even with these investments, the total box office has only treaded water, with occasional low points such as this October.
One factor in the decline is that large audiences are not turning out to see dramas, which were a big part of this October’s slate. An exception was ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, which managed to earn a $70 million domestic gross and over $200 million internationally. Upcoming dramas like HAMNET and MARTY SUPREME will look to reverse the troubling trend.














