In a surprising twist of events, Taylor Swift's highly anticipated concert film, documenting her record-breaking Eras Tour, is set to hit movie theaters on Friday, October 13th, coinciding with the release of the latest installment in the Exorcist franchise, "The Exorcist: Believer." This unexpected combination has sparked excitement among fans, leading to the creation of the hashtag #Exorswift on social media, reminiscent of the cultural phenomenon created by the simultaneous release of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” earlier this summer.
Taylor Swift took to the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, to share her enthusiasm about the upcoming release, expressing that the Eras Tour has been a profoundly meaningful and electrifying experience for her. She announced that fans would soon have the opportunity to relive the concert film in theaters across North America, starting October 13th. Tickets for the film are already available for purchase on Taylor Swift's official website.
The announcement immediately generated massive excitement and fervor, with AMC Theaters revealing that they had taken precautions to handle the anticipated surge in ticket demand. In preparation for the first day of advance ticket sales, AMC has increased their server capacity to handle traffic at more than five times the previous record for the most tickets sold in an hour. This move comes after Ticketmaster faced backlash and a lawsuit for mishandling the sales of Eras Tour concert tickets. The lawsuit alleges that Ticketmaster provided pre-sale codes to fans despite knowing that they couldn't accommodate all the ticket orders. Additionally, the plaintiffs accuse Ticketmaster, owned by Live Nation Entertainment, of selling a significant number of tickets to scalpers and bots, leaving fewer seats available for genuine fans.
The Eras Tour has not only captivated fans but has also had a substantial impact on the global economy. Market research firm QuestionPro estimates that the tour could contribute an impressive $5 billion to the worldwide economy. PollStar, a trade publication for the live music industry, reports that the Eras Tour has already grossed over $300 million, with more than 1.1 million tickets sold at an average price of $253.
This concert film release is seen as a second chance for fans who were unable to attend the live shows during the U.S. leg of the tour. By bringing the Eras Tour to the big screen, Taylor Swift aims to give those fans an opportunity to experience the magic and excitement they missed out on.
The movie double feature of the Eras Tour concert film and "The Exorcist: Believer" is expected to be a thrilling and unique cinematic experience. Swift's concert film captures the energy and spectacle of her record-breaking tour, while "The Exorcist: Believer," produced by horror film studio Blumhouse and distributed by Universal, continues the demonic possession story fifty years after the original film. Starring Leslie Odom Jr. of “Hamilton” fame and Ellen Burstyn, who appeared in the 1973 classic, this new installment in the Exorcist franchise promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
As moviegoers eagerly anticipate the arrival of this unexpected double feature, the question remains whether Exorswift will follow in the footsteps of the Barbenheimer sensation or create a cultural event of its own. With Taylor Swift's dedicated fanbase and the enduring popularity of the Exorcist franchise, it's possible that this unique combination could once again drive massive box office sales and captivate audiences worldwide.
