Is BOM's 600-location threshold for wide release too low?

[johnboy3434]

From the website's opening in mid-1998 to about mid-2001, the threshold for a film to be considered "wide release" was 800 theater locations. Then, for whatever reason, it was reduced to 600. Personally, I think that's a tad low, as a lot of limited-engagement features can scrape up 600 theaters.

[AniNate]

In 2001 600 theaters was akin to about 1 theater for every 500000 people, which would roughly cover any urban areas of considerable size. Now that number would probably be closer to 680 theaters. Bigger but I guess not significant enough for BOM to make a change.

 

But movies can still find a significant audience even if they never go "wide". Whiplash is a good example.

[CoolioD1]

you know what? never thought about this before but after brief consideration i've decided i'm fine with 600.

[cannastop]

It's just fine. 600 theaters is a good mark for a platform release to aspire to.

[Kvikk Lunsj]

I think it is too low for "wide release."  I think it depends on what you think of when you hear wide release.  I usually think of a movie that you can drive to local multiplex theater and the movie should be playing there.

[Krissykins]

Yeh, when films are being released in 4,000 every other weekend, 600 doesn't seem so wide.

[AniNate]

600 isn't really wide but it's the threshold where advertisers can start honestly using the "in theaters everywhere" line and you can in all likelihood find a theater playing it within 50 miles. 

[That One Girl]

That's an average of 12 theaters per state. Yeah, I think it's a good threshold.

[filmlover]

1 hour ago, That One Guy said:

That's an average of 12 theaters per state. Yeah, I think it's a good threshold.

This, pretty much.

[Kalo]

If a movie is playing in around  600 theaters or less, it is usually not playing anywhere within a couple hours of me (which is kind of the middle of nowhere but still). So I don't considering it a "wide" release, it's certainly not playing everywhere. So yeah 800 or even 1,000 seems more accurate for wide imo.