On Oct. 13, 2023, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” opened in theaters and began making waves in the film industry immediately with an estimated 4.8 million viewers during opening weekend, according to CNBC.
The movie has a runtime of 2 hours and 49 minutes and is only slightly shorter than the concert that served as the subject of the film. The documentary was filmed during the first three out of six “The Eras Tour” shows held at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in early August 2023.
Even before the film’s premiere, there was already immense anticipation for “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.” As per a press release by Cinemark, pre-sale tickets for the movie were selling at a rate “more than 10 times higher than any other cinema engagement event.”
In the initial two weekends following its release, the film achieved an astonishing $132 million in domestic box office revenue. Notably, the $33.2 million it earned in its second weekend surpassed the highly anticipated Martin Scorsese film, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which opened with $23.3 million during the same weekend, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The movie has since been reported to have grossed $150 million domestically and more than $200 million globally since its October release. According to CNBC, “That global haul represents more than 18% of the $1.092 billion total global box office earned since the film was released Oct. 13.”
The concert film has gone on to be the highest-grossing domestic and global concert film release of all time, according to CNBC.
Many producers and directors expected the response to “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” to be overwhelming from its announcement alone, which led to multiple movies changing their release dates so as not to compete with Swift’s concert film. Namely, “The Exorcist: Believer,” which announced its release via a post on X from Producer Jason Blum himself.
“Look what you made me do. The Exorcist: Believer moves to 10/6/23 #TaylorWins,” Blum posted to X on Aug. 31, 2023.
The film itself produced a highly unique viewing experience. In a post announcing the film, Swift insinuated that the intention of the film was to bring all elements of “The Eras Tour” to cities across the globe.
“The Eras Tour has been the most meaningful, electric experience of my life so far and I’m overjoyed to tell you that it’ll be coming to the big screen soon,” Swift said. “Eras attire, friendship bracelets, singing and dancing encouraged.”
Jasmine Cisneros, a student at Moorpark College and avid “Swiftie,” saw “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” in theaters and also experienced the tour performance in August at SoFi Stadium.
“For the Eras Tour movie, I feel like people’s experiences were more unique,” said Cisneros. “I went to go see it after work so I brought my blanket and I was eating my snacks, so it was more of a regular theater experience, but people sitting next to me were singing along and went to go dance for some songs.”
Though the theater was bustling with people dancing and singing along to the performances, Cisneros recounted that the audience, though partaking in singing and dancing along, didn’t feel disrespectful to fellow moviegoers.
“Even though some people were experiencing it differently than a regular movie, everyone was really respectful and the people that were dancing would go to the side of the theater so it wouldn’t obstruct anyone’s view,” Cisneros said.
Swifties gathered in cinemas nationwide to exchange beaded friendship bracelets, a tradition inspired by the lyrics of Taylor Swift’s 2022 album “Midnights,” particularly the song “You’re On Your Own, Kid.” Moreover, enthusiastic moviegoers eagerly bought special popcorn buckets and couldn’t contain their excitement as they screamed, sang and danced along with the film.
Local graduate student at California Lutheran University, Ankidouna Hormoz reminisced on the unique experience of attending “The Eras Tour,” and reliving it again as a film in theaters.
“I got to relive one of my favorite shows I’ve ever been to with some of my best friends who I didn’t get to see Taylor with in concert,” said Hormoz. “It felt like we were back at the show itself creating all new memories, this time together; it was a surreal experience to be in a room of people who all share a love for the same thing you do.”
“The Eras Tour,” now extended through December 2024, remains an unparalleled blend of nostalgia and fan devotion, showcased through extravagant outfits and the tradition of trading friendship bracelets. The “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” documentary serves as an ongoing testament to this remarkable experience.
