The National Association of Theater Owners (NATO) had a lot of good news to share in its Q3 report, announcing a seven percent year-over-year increase in admissions for the quarter and a 12 percent admissions increase for the summer season while the average movie ticket price took a slight drop.
Q3 domestic grosses clocked in at $2.71 billion from 307.4 million tickets sold, with the summer total being reported at just under $4.4 billion from 482.7 million tickets sold. The summer total does not include the record opening week of “Avengers: Infinity War,” which made $338 million including a $257.6 million first weekend at the end of April.
The national ticket price average dropped to $8.83, down 5.8 percent from Q2 2018 and down 1.1 percent year-over-year. It’s also 3.4 percent down from the year-to-date average of $9.14. Admission estimates for the year are set at 1.02 billion, up six percent from last year to date.
Two major blockbusters, Paramount’s “Mission Impossible: Fallout” and Disney/Marvel Studios’ “Ant-Man and the Wasp” were the top moneymakers last quarter, with “Fallout” earning $219.1 million and “Wasp” earning $216.1 million.
Also contributing to the quarter’s success were Sony’s family film “Hotel Transylvania 3” and Warner Bros.’ hit romantic comedy “Crazy Rich Asians,” each earning $165 million. WB also found success with the Chinese co-produced creature feature “The Meg,” which grossed $141 million.