When schools across the U.K. closed early last week as record-breaking temperatures touched on 100 F, marking the hottest June on record, there was one noticeable benefactor.
Reports from cinemas up and down the country were of packed-out screenings during otherwise quiet, mid-afternoon slots. Parents, stuck for options to keep their kids both entertained and cool (and crucially give themselves some quiet time to complete work emails), were seen charging from the school gates straight to air-conditioned theater lobbies.
Europe’s early-summer heatwave last week — now considered the most severe and widespread in modern history — has been a major cause for concern, with much of the continent sweltering under record-breaking temperatures. Understandably, given the dangers, few are willing to celebrate any profiting off the back of this situation.
But stats back up the anecdotal evidence about a heatwave bump in cinemas admission — and with one major movie scooping the rewards.
“Toy Story 5” had already landed the biggest U.K. debut of the year last weekend, with a spectacular $20.2 million opening and a 72% domination of ticket sales in its first three days. But, thanks to the heatwave, it kept the momentum going into week number two.
