Friday has long been the favored day for movie releases, marking the beginning of a weekend filled with cinema. However, this longstanding tradition is now seeing a shift as filmmakers explore alternatives, with many now opting for Thursday releases. This shift aims to tap into the extended weekend advantage, starting the box office race a day earlier.
Recently, films like "Kalki" have set this new trend by choosing to premiere on a Thursday, specifically on June 27. This move isn't just about breaking away from the norm but also aligns with strategic overseas planning. In the US, Wednesday offers special deals on movie tickets, encouraging producers to aim for Thursday premieres to boost initial collections.
Following this trend, major releases like "Pushpa 2" are also set to debut on a Thursday, aiming to leverage the long weekend, especially around significant holidays. The film "Nani Saripoda" is another example, scheduled for a Thursday release on August 29, amid high expectations.
Even "Indian 2" is planning a Thursday release on June 13, in five languages simultaneously, showcasing a significant shift in release strategy. This trend is further confirmed with "Devara" scheduled for a Thursday release on October 10 by director Koratala Siva, promising a pan-India appeal.
Overall, while Thursday releases offer the potential for a longer opening window and greater initial impact, they also carry the risk—if the film doesn't perform well, it could quickly fade by the weekend. Nonetheless, the industry's enthusiastic embrace of this new strategy indicates a promising shift in how cinematic timelines are approached.
