Heat and blockbusters fill Vienna cinemas

Vienna cinemas are drawing larger crowds as recent heatwaves send people in search of air-conditioned indoor spaces, ORF reported. Two major blockbusters are also filling auditoriums, including during afternoon and weekday screenings.

Queues at cinema ticket counters are currently long. Christian Dörfler, president of the Austrian Cinema Association, said cinema attendance across Austria rose by about 15 percent in the first half of the year. Vienna’s figures are likely even stronger.

“This year, especially over the past three weeks, screenings in all Vienna cinemas have been extremely well attended,” Dörfler said. He attributed the trend partly to people escaping the heat, but said the cinema experience was probably the main reason.

Dörfler said he was surprised by the strong attendance at afternoon screenings. Blockbusters such as Odyssee and Spiderman have helped draw full houses even during the week. Films including Toy Story 5 and Vaiana have also contributed to what he described as an “optimal mix” of films for families, cinephiles and other audiences.

Dörfler said the figures showed that the cinema industry was beginning to overcome the effects of the pandemic. He said Generation Z had been unable to discover cinemas during the pandemic because of restrictions. Directors from the YouTube scene, including Curry Barker with Obsession and Kane Parsons with Backrooms, are now helping attract that audience, he said.

The traditional cinema menu remains popular, with popcorn and nachos still in demand. Because of the heat, however, audiences are consuming more drinks.