During the weekend , attendees expressed their discontent about what some considered disruptive behavior from the audience, with one person remarking, “As a theater experience, it’s terrible.”
While many Taylor Swift fans were overflowing with love, there was a range of emotions after the music superstar’s Eras Tour concert film hit theaters over the weekend.
“Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” already the highest-grossing concert film domestically, ignited a social media discussion over the weekend regarding proper etiquette for moviegoers. Among the viral posts on this subject was a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), featuring footage of Swift performing the song “Marjorie” while moviegoers in the theater sang along, lit up their phone flashlights, and even danced in the space between the screen and the front row.
“I’m at the worst screening ever,” the original poster commented alongside the video. “Can’t even hear Taylor.”
Another user shared on X that they had a similarly challenging experience at their screening, struggling to hear Swift at all. They further noted, “People were so disrespectful, and some were even kicked out of the room for being so rude. They completely spoiled the experience for many.”
A third individual shared their perspective on the platform, suggesting that moviegoers should anticipate a concert-like experience, stating, “Because as a theater experience, it’s horrible. Expect dancing, standing on chairs, screaming, and singing along. She made this for her hardcore fans.”
Naturally, there were also numerous social media posts emphasizing that film viewers, particularly those who couldn’t secure tickets for the live concert, should embrace the project as an interactive experience, ultimately enhancing the movie.
Supporters of this interactive approach pointed to the fact that Swift herself had encouraged this in her Instagram post from late August, which included a line in the caption that said, “Eras attire, friendship bracelets, singing and dancing encouraged.”
In a statement about attendance guidelines, distributor AMC Theatres emphasized, “We encourage dancing and singing throughout this concert film event, but please do not dance on our seats or block other guests from viewing, safely walking or exiting the auditorium.”
Before the film’s release, Morning Consult brand analyst Ellyn Briggs likened the marketing for the Eras Tour movie to the way Warner Bros. made buying a ticket for its summer blockbuster Barbie feel like an event. “It wasn’t just a one-evening event,” Briggs explained to The Hollywood Reporter. “It was, let’s plan cute outfits, make friendship bracelets, go together.” During the weekend
The Eras Tour, distributed by AMC Theatres instead of a traditional studio, raked in an impressive $92.8 million from 3,850 theaters across North America. Globally, the film amassed a total of $123.5 million over the weekend. This achievement makes it the second-largest opening weekend in October’s history, trailing only behind the 2019 blockbuster “Joker,” which won multiple Oscars.