Christopher Nolan's Tenet was essentially the guinea pig for theatrical releases in 2020 as movie theaters began the come back online in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some movie theaters had reopened with limited capacity while others remain shuttered, particularly in big markets like Los Angeles and New York City. It was a risky gamble and it didn't exactly work out too well on the domestic front because markets like Los Angeles and New York City are essential to a film's box office performance and they weren't in play. Now, six months after its original release, Tenet will finally open up at New York City theaters now that they have been given the go-ahead for their theaters to reopen at limited capacity.
Tenet will be playing at AMC Lincoln Square, AMC Empire, AMC Kips Bay, Village East by Angelika (70mm), and Showcase Cinemas Jamaica. The film will also be available in Imax and 70MM at AMC Lincoln Square. The goal here isn't to dramatically turn the film's domestic box office around now that it's opening in New York City. The film has been available for home viewing for quite some time now and that ship has sailed. The fact that Tenet is opening in New York City this weekend is more of a symbolic big deal since Christopher Nolan was one of several filmmaking titans that were dealing with New York City Governor Andrew Cuomo's office behind the scenes to advocate for the safe reopening of movie theaters in the city. Tenet getting a chance to be experienced by moviegoers willing to attend in New York City is the sign of a mission that was accomplished.
Once Los Angeles movie theaters reopen, which is reportedly in mere weeks, I have a feeling that Tenet may play in some Los Angeles locations as well. The film only played at drive-in locations in Los Angeles, although it did play at hardtop venues in nearby counties such as Ventura and Orange County. Tenet opened on August 28, 2020, in Canada and then expanded to the U.S. on September 4, 2020. While the 11-day opening of $20.2 million was the figure that was widely reported, the film actually opened to $9.3 million over the 3-day Labor Day weekend. The figure wasn't horrible, especially considering it was in uncharted territory opening during a pandemic and not fully wide, but with a reported budget of $200 million, many felt Warner Bros. probably wished they waited until Los Angeles and New York City movie theaters were open again. Despite grossing $364 million worldwide, some money was definitely left on the table with a film that could've made the total domestically during a healthy box office climate. To date, Tenet has grossed $57.9 million on the domestic front.
If YOU'RE in the New York City area, will you be checking out Tenet on the big screen?