During the much-celebrated Golden Week in Japan, cinemas experienced an unusually high footfall compared to previous years. Despite the ongoing global health crisis, film enthusiasts have turned out in substantial numbers, boosting the movie industry. Reasons behind this surge are attributed to a combination of new movie releases, restrictions easing and public longing for outdoor entertainment.

In Japan, the Golden Week is one of the longest and most anticipated holiday periods. Cinemas, being one of the primary sources of entertainment, have always seen a moderate influx of movie-goers during this time. This surge, however, is unusual and likely due to the easing restrictions, along with a strong desire for outdoor entertainment activities after prolonged periods of restrictions. Cinema-owners and film studios are hence now showing optimism for the revival of the industry.

The situation differs considerably in the US and EU, with many countries still enforcing strict restrictions to control the health crisis. In these places, streaming platforms continue to gain popularity as a safer alternative, indicating a much slower pace of recovery for the cinema industry.