The above graphic (source) illustrates the difference in ticket sales between an average weekend and Black Panther’s opening weekend in cities with a large black population.
The authors write:
“The numbers are especially remarkable considering that people of color also probably traveled farther to see the film -- many more than once -- because historically, there are fewer theaters in predominantly African American neighborhoods.”
Also worth noting:
“We want to make sure that African-American themed films and blockbuster films that have a predominantly black cast do well,” said [Mia] Mask [a professor of theater at Vassar College]. “However, that argument relies so much on these individual blockbuster films, these rare opportunities, to carry the significance of black film and confirm the commercial viability of black films to studios.”
