Holiday releases are a bigger and more imminent issue. This year's box office aspirations are riding on the shoulders of one film: Sony's Spider-Man: No Way Home, starring tom Holland, which opens in mid-December. According to MKM Partners analyst Eric Handler, the tentpole "may come away with the largest opening of the year," and "consumer demand seems fairly solid as of right now." "The King's Man, The Matrix Resurrections, and Sing 2 will all follow, all of which should have a solid audience." Given the relatively large expenditures these films have, hollywood can't afford a major disruption at this time."
However, the circumstances outside of the united states may compel the studios' hand. Countries across europe are imposing new restrictions and lockdowns in an effort to prevent the fourth wave of illnesses, with a disturbing resemblance to the situation this time last year. The statewide lockdown in austria began on november 22, with cinemas, restaurants, and other public spaces shutting down.