New fan behavior

Who looks through the tube

Hans-Peter Obermayr runs a total of seven cinemas, which are showing many films with hit potential this fall - from "Joker 2" and "Vaiana 2" to "Mufasa: The Lion King".(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Markus Wenzel, Star Movie, 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc.)

"Joker 2" opens on October 3, the film adaptation of the novel "The Book Trailers" on October 10 and "Gladiator 2" on November 14 - Austrian cinemas have a top program this autumn. We spoke to Star-Movie boss Hans-Peter Obermayr about investments, competition and film fans weighing up their options.

Hans-Peter and Klaus Obermayr's Star-Movie Group has invested several million euros in green energy over the last two years - mainly in photovoltaic systems and carports equipped with solar panels in front of their cinemas.

Hippmann dance school moves into Regau
This year, the family business spent money primarily in Regau: Around 300,000 euros went into the redesign of the foyer, and the company also supported the conversion of the former discotheque into Austria's most modern dance school, which the Hippmann family will open on September 28. "We are also optimizing the technology and seating comfort at all locations," says Hans-Peter Obermayr. Postscript: "Our guests should sit back and enjoy themselves - as an operator, you rarely do that."

In many parts of the world, cinemas are very well attended, especially in hot weather, thanks to the pleasant air conditioning. In Austria, this development is much slower to notice. With 17 degrees, summer vacations and rainy weather, our cinemas are still best attended in summer.

Hans-Peter Obermayr, Star Movie

Competition from outdoor events
How has the year been so far for the group, which operates a total of seven cinemas from Peuerbach? "Especially in the summer months, we face competition from the many outdoor events at the weekends," says Obermayr. Nevertheless, 2024 has gone far better than expected so far. The writers' and actors' strike in Hollywood, which lasted several months last year, had originally dampened forecasts: "But they were then exceeded in the first few months." Films such as "Dune: Part Two" and "Chantal in Fairyland" had a particularly positive impact.

"People are making more of a distinction than before as to whether they want to experience a movie in the cinema or watch it later at home," says Obermayr. Blockbusters still attract the masses. It's often more difficult for smaller films: "Some are beaten below their value. That's a shame."