Taylor Swift isn’t just a pop star known for shattering records and a savvy businesswoman. Unlike some stars who choose to release their concert films on streaming platforms, the “Anti-Hero” singer chose to put her Eras Tour film in theaters worldwide, giving fans around the globe the chance to see it on the big screen.
AMC theaters will host the worldwide rollout of the movie, which hits North American screens on Oct. 13, the same day it will open in 100 other countries. Tickets for the show are already available through participating theaters’ box offices, and pre-sales have been brisk.
Even though most of Taylor Swift’s audience isn’t usually moviegoers, theaters hope that the concert film can pull in some ticket sales to help boost their bottom line. They’re going all out, including selling collectible popcorn tubs and fountain drink cups for the film. They’re also giving away posters with ticket purchases.
The theaters’ marketing strategy is working, and some experts believe that the Taylor Swift concert film will have a solid opening weekend. Tracking has already indicated that the movie could easily break $100 million domestically and has a much bigger audience in other territories.
This is not the first concert film to hit movie theaters, but it does represent a departure from what studios and other concert-film producers typically do. Swift struck an unprecedented deal with AMC to distribute the film herself, bypassing studios and other distributors that typically handle theatrical releases.
It’s unclear why she made this decision, but it makes sense for her, given her relationship with fans and business acumen. She can earn much more money from the film by selling it for digital downloads, DVDs, or streaming than by letting someone else handle distribution.
During the recording of the film, Swift also expanded her tour to include four shows in Mexico City. Those dates were the first time she’s ever played headlining shows in the country, and they sold out quickly. She’s scheduled to close out the 2023 portion of her tour with more North American dates and then head to Europe and Asia in 2024.
If her concert film does well in theaters, it will likely have a long life on other platforms. It’s a safe bet that top streaming services will buy the film once it’s proven in theaters. As for what fans will see, the film’s official trailer reveals plenty of fan-favorite performances to enjoy. However, fans should be prepared to be disappointed if they’re expecting the likes of “Tis the Damn Season” or “No Body, No Crime,” which aren’t included in the film.
