SONY - After summer smashes box office returns to the big emptiness

If you've enjoyed a return to big-ticket moviegoing after a long pandemic break, it's time to get used to a slowdown again.

After a late spring/summer that's delivered a few nine-digit blockbusters - notably Top Gun: Maverick ( PARA ) ( PARAA ), Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ( DIS ), Jurassic World Dominion ( NASDAQ: CMCSA ) and Minions: The Rise of Gru ( CMCSA ) - back-to-school season ushers in what may be the quietest schedule in a year and a half.

There are no major releases coming this weekend - Gravitas Premiere's body-swapping dramedy Mack & Rita and Bleecker Street's drama Summering are the only wide debuts - and none really coming down the pike until October.

Two other films are widening their launches after limited openings before. A24 is expanding horror/comedy Bodies Bodies Bodies to 1,200 theaters, and Lions Gate's ( LGF.A ) ( LGF.B ) thriller Fall is moving onto 1,548 screens.

The schedule is empty enough that it's notable a 40-year-old hit is back in theaters: 1982's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial ( CMCSA ) celebrates its anniversary with its latest re-release, now including IMAX screens. Top Gun: Maverick ( PARA ) ( PARAA ) heads back to IMAX by popular demand as well.

The smaller aspirations from new films leaves some room for holdovers to pile up cash. Last weekend's leader, Bullet Train ( NYSE: SONY ), is likely to repeat at the top with some fraction of its $30M opening. DC League of Super-Pets ( WBD ) will look to add some more millions after drawing $11.1M last weekend. And Jordan Peele's Nope ( CMCSA ), third last weekend with $8.5M, may make a jump as it starts a global release.

Bracing for a slowdown - and looking to keep the summer vibes going - are the exhibitors: AMC Entertainment ( NYSE: AMC ); Cineworld ( OTCPK:CNNWF ); Cinemark ( NYSE: CNK ); ( IMAX ); Marcus ( MCS ); Reading International ( RDI ); Cineplex ( CGX:CA ); National CineMedia ( NCMI ).

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