Staying Fit
Viewers over 50 gave Hollywood its first great news since COVID: two back-to-back No. 1 films, Top Gun: Maverick, the first billion-dollar hit for Tom Cruise (who turns 60 July 3), and surprise smash Elvis, with Tom Hanks (who turns 66 July 9) as manager Tom Parker.
“Elvis has older moviegoers to thank,” exclaimed The Hollywood Reporter. “56 percent of the audience so far is over the age of 35, including a whopping 29 percent over 55.”
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About two-fifths of Cruise’s viewers were over 45, one-fifth over 55. Showbiz411 pundit Roger Friedman calls it “a bellwether maybe for older movie patrons returning to theaters.” Their word of mouth helped incite stampedes of younger crowds.
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People who say they’re “very or somewhat comfortable” going to the movies just hit an all-time high, says Variety: A year ago, 59 percent were movie-comfy. Now 88 percent are ravenous for multiplex popcorn.
