Taylor Swift performs onstage for the opening night of her The Eras Tour at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on March 17, 2023.
Kevin Winter | Getty Images
Take us to church, Taylor.
Starting Friday, Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour film arrives in theaters, and with it comes a certain expectation of exuberance from those in attendance. Friendship bracelet swapping, outfits dripping with shimmery crystals, hands painted with the number 13 and numerous dancing are all a part of the concert experience — and expressly encouraged.
Movie show chains, resembling distributor AMC Entertainment, have told audiences they can sing and dance within the auditoriums, but should refrain from dancing on seats or blocking other guests’ view of the large screen.
Phones, too, are allowed as long as moviegoers don’t record the concert film. So, expect a number of selfies during the two hour and 48 minute event.
“Have the perfect time, but please be respectful of other guests having fun with the concert film or other movies at AMC,” the corporate wrote on its website ahead of Friday’s release.
Each cinema has its own rules, so audiences are encouraged to envision with their local theater before showing up for his or her screening. Nevertheless, it’s expected that almost all will probably be lax in terms of traditional theater etiquette.
The showings are more likely to be paying homage to specialty screenings of movies resembling “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” where audiences take part in chants and other rituals.
So, get able to shout “One, two, three, let’s go b—-!” initially of “Delicate” and double clap during the bridge of “You Belong With Me.”
Since Swift announced the theatrical release of her The Eras Tour, ticket sales have soared. AMC reported last week that presales had already exceeded $100 million for its theaters, and expectations are that the film will easily surpass that figure in its opening weekend.
Cinemas have shown taped concert events previously, but few have driven the fervor for ticket sales like Swift.
The joy, which has led movie theaters to design specialty popcorn buckets, create boutique cocktails and even arrange friendship bracelet-making tables, illustrates there is a hunger for making something larger and more memorable out of a visit to the films.
It is also likely why a documentary on Beyonce’s “Renaissance” album and tour is coming to theaters in December.
Each Swift and Beyonce’s movies are being sold as premium experiences, with higher-priced tickets. The Eras Tour film has ticket prices starting at $13.13 for youngsters and $19.89 for adults, but seats in IMAX, Dolby and other premium formats cost a bit more. Beyonce’s film will see base tickets set at $22 a bit.
For comparison, average adult ticket prices for normal film releases in 2023 have ranged between $11 and $14 apiece for normal formats.
“Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” will play in theaters during the weekends through Nov. 5.