For the first time ever, Hollywoods's box office records zero takings

For the first time ever, Hollywoods's box office records zero takings
'I sat at my computer and saw that a release of The Big Lebowski was the top-grossing movie from the nine theatres; one industry figure says

The US box office recorded zero revenue for the first time in its history, following the near-total shutdown of cinemas across the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Erik Lomis, who works in the distribution at United Artists Releasing, is known for waking at 4am every day of the week to send out projected gross, in addition to analysis of weekend performance. 

He told the Hollywood Reporter that, last week, he realised he "had to let go ".

"I sat at my computer at 11:00 p.m.," he said, "and saw that the rerelease of  The Big Lebowski was the top-grossing movie from the nine theatres."

Some investment will be recouped as titles are released via streaming services, as is starting to happen,” Mike Bloxham, the senior vice president of global media and entertainment at research firm Magid, told Forbes, “It’s impossible to say to what extent that will replace any amount of box office loss.”