Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert film set to debut with staggering $100 million opening

Taylor Swift, the superstar of the music industry, is now set to conquer the big screen. After announcing the release of her Eras Tour concert film in domestic movie theaters this October, tickets are selling at a rapid pace. The overwhelming demand has prompted theaters of all sizes to add extra showtimes to accommodate the fans.

Industry experts are predicting a monumental opening weekend for Swift’s cinematic experience, with expectations that it will surpass $100 million in box office revenue.

“Although it’s still early for such a unique release, reaching nine digits for the opening weekend seems very possible. This is especially true if additional theaters and showtimes are added, and if there is more extensive promotion in the coming weeks to attract a wider audience beyond Swift’s dedicated fan base,” said Shawn Robbins, chief analyst at BoxOffice.com.

With the current momentum, Robbins wouldn’t be surprised if the film sets a new record for the highest opening weekend earnings in the fourth quarter. Many theaters have announced special in-cinema experiences to enhance the viewing experience, such as the Warehouse Cinemas chain offering a glitter-rimmed cotton candy drink and popcorn with edible glitter for fans who dress up for the occasion.

This surprise announcement comes at a time when several big-budget films have postponed their releases due to labor strikes in the industry. However, other highly anticipated movies like Warner Bros.’ “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” “Wonka,” and Disney’s “The Marvels” are still on track for release in 2023.

Breaking away from the traditional studio distribution model, Swift’s concert film will be directly distributed by AMC Entertainment, the largest movie chain in the world. AMC is expected to receive a 5% to 6% distribution fee.

Furthermore, ticket prices for the film are higher than regular admission seats, starting at $19.89 for adults and $13.13 for children. These prices hold significance as they reference Swift’s birth year and her lucky number, 13. Premium format screens like IMAX and Dolby offer higher-priced tickets.

The film is scheduled to run from Thursday to Sunday until November 5, but it’s possible that its stay in theaters could be extended if it continues to attract a large audience.

“The movie’s announcement and the subsequent frenzy of ticket sales have exceeded all expectations and could serve as a new model for boosting movie theater revenues through special events and non-traditional content,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore.

Swift’s concert film is poised to surpass the current record holder for a theatrical concert film, Miley Cyrus’ “Best of Both Worlds,” which grossed $31.1 million in its opening weekend back in 2008. Globally, the film earned $70 million according to Comscore data.

“Regardless of the final numbers, Eras is already a resounding success and a welcome addition for theaters that have been affected by the delays of other major films due to the ongoing labor strikes. It’s a testament to Taylor’s incredible following and her business acumen, as she continues to dominate the pop culture landscape,” added Robbins.

Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and CNBC. NBCUniversal is the distributor of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.”