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BROOKLINE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A packed movie theater may seem like a thing of the pre-pandemic past. But, 'Barbenheimer' proved audiences aren't done with the big screen.
Brookline's famed Coolidge Corner Theatre had a huge weekend with the dual premieres of Barbie and Oppenheimer. They saw the largest amount of pre-sold tickets in the theater's history.
Mark Anastasio is the Director of Special Programming at the Coolidge.
"It's really kind of unprecedented...Nothing comes close to being able to sell out our two largest houses here at the Coolidge. It was some of the biggest crowds we've seen come through our doors," he said.
The theater is still seeing tremendous demand, which gives Anastasio hope for the future of the movie industry. He said the Coolidge has had consistent crowds since the COVID shutdown, but "folks just seemed a little bit reluctant to return for first-run films."
He says 'Barbenheimer' is a sign of health for the movie theater industry.
"This is just a great sign and a great indication that there's certainly a willingness for people to leave their couches and leave their laptops and come out to the cinema," Anastasio said. "Streaming will never compare to that."
Anastasio expects Barbie shows this upcoming weekend will also sell out. And he says Oppenheimer shows are selling out as well.
WBZ's Brooke McCarthy (@BrookeWBZ) has more:
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