Hollywood studios, Disney, Warner Bros., and Sony Pictures Entertainment said they would pause theatrical releases of upcoming films in Russia
This they said was in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the unfolding humanitarian crisis.
The Walt Disney Company said it was pausing the release of theatrical films in Russia, starting with the upcoming Pixar Animation Studios release, “Turning Red.”
Within hours, WarnerMedia said it would pause this week’s release of “The Batman” in Russia.
Russia remained a significant market for Hollywood, accounting for $601 million dollars in box office in 2021, or about 2.8 per cent of worldwide ticket sales, which totaled $21.4 billion dollars in 2021 according to Comscore.
Several major films were slated for global release, “The Batman,” scheduled to open in Russia on March 3 as part of a worldwide roll-out, and Paramount Pictures’ “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” which made its global debut on April 8.