LAS VEGAS, April 2 — This was meant to be the year the movies bounced back. But as the CinemaCon trade convention kicks off yesterday in Las Vegas, theatre owners are hoping and praying for signs that 2025 is back on track.

The box office has endured a terrible start, reeling from high-profile flops like Disney’s live-action Snow White, superhero sequel Captain America: Brave New World and bizarre sci-fi Mickey 17.

The US$1.3 billion (RM5.7 billion) taken in North America receipts so far is seven percent below an already lean Q1 2024, which was itself derailed by the previous year’s massive Hollywood strikes.