‘The Interview’ makes history

“The Interview” seems like an unlikely film to be making history.  The screwball comedy is about a plot to kill the leader of North Korea.

But “The Interview” is reportedly Sony Pictures’ biggest-grossing online release ever.  The latest figures on how much consumers spent to download the film?  More than $15 million, and counting.  “The Interview” is giving a healthy nudge to a trend away from movie theaters.

“I don’t think a lot of people necessarily want to go to their suburban megaplex anymore and drop 12 bucks for a box of popcorn or whatever they charge these days,” says Dan Kennedy, who teaches journalism at Northeastern University.

It’s not clear how Sony shares the cash from “The Interview” with its online distributors.  But it usually splits ticket sales with theaters, 50-50.   

Kennedy  doesn’t think the studios are cheering the demise of the multiplex.  He says if theaters go extinct, there will be one less distribution channel for films. 

But he says theaters could revive themselves with extras, like special audio effects, that would make going out to the movies a more high-end experience.