2021 witnessed the return of movies to the big screen with the release of the most anticipated movies that were delayed by the pandemic.
Hollywood had an active year with a variety of films released, such as sci-fi flicks, Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, musicals, character dramas, thrillers, and animations. The audience were quick to re-embrace cinema as their favourite cultural activity.
As we are nearing the end of 2021, let us look back at some of the highlights from the year 2021 that helped bring movies back to the big screen.
UAE:
KSA:
Egypt:
Oman:
Kuwait:
Bahrain:
Qatar:
Lebanon:
(based on Box Office)
10 blockbuster ads (in no particular order) that lit up the big screen in 2021, as featured in Campaign Middle East :
Brand: Cartier
Title: Expo 2020 Women’s Pavilion
Agency: MediaCom MENA
Brand: Yas Island Abu Dhabi
Title: Stayin’ On Yas
Agency: Starcom
Brand: stc
Title: Our Culture is Our Future
Agency: Universal Media KSA
Brand: Etisalat
Title: #TogetherMeans
Agency: Initiative Abu Dhabi
Brand: Hermès
Title: The Legend of Hermès Della Cavalleria
Agency: Havas Media ME
Brand: NEOM
Title: Made to Change
Agency: Starcom
Brand: Mercedes
Title: The New Mercedes-Maybach S-Class
Agency: OMD
Brand: TRA Bahrain
Title: Digital Theft
Brand: Gulf Bank
Title: AlDanah
Agency: Wavemaker MENA
Brand: Porsche
Title: Macan – Your Sidekick,Everywhere
Agency: BPG Kuwait
There are a dizzying amount of exciting new movies coming to theaters in 2022. These are the top 10 movies you should be looking forward to in the coming year:
For more on the movies coming out in 2022, be sure to check out our sizzle reel, which launches towards the end of January 2022
Souces : Vox Cinemas, IMDB, Box Office Mojo
With the Middle Eastern summer in full swing and school holidays in place, a family movie night is the perfect way to kickback and relax with loved ones!
As travel restrictions are still in place for most countries and with the heat of summer dampening outdoor plans, a family movie night seems the perfect way to relax and bond with family over a tub of popcorn.
Here are our top picks to help you decide what to watch on a family movie night:
The Lion King
A wise man once said, “old is gold” and we couldn’t agree more! Watching the original The Lion King has a charm of its own, the emotions, the thrill and not to mention the excitement! A perfect treat for you and your family.
The Harry Potter Series
Avada Kedavra all your boredom away with the Harry Potter series! Nothing beats magic, wands, and sports played on flying broomsticks! A series for youngsters and adults alike, Harry Potter and his battalion seems like the perfect go-to for a family movie night.
Frozen 1 and 2
A Disney original is always a good idea for family movie night. Be it Elsa’s magical powers or witnessing Anna’s love bring together her family – a movie with a happy ending is a movie for all!
The Pursuit of Happyness
Released in the early 2000’s, The Pursuit of Happyness is about a struggling salesman who takes custody of his son as he’s determined to begin a life-changing professional career.
Minions Series
Starring adorable little minions in lead roles, the Minions series is one to rev up the creative minds of your little ones at home. Filled with mischief, laughter and adventure, it is the perfect pastime these summer holidays. The latest installment, Minions: The Rise of Gru is set to hit the BIG Screen
The Princess Diaries
Breaking barriers of how each princess’ purpose is to have her prince, The Princess Diaries lead by example through their plot. Teaching girls about women empowerment and how even princesses make the silliest of mistakes, this widely loved movie is a must watch for all!
Avengers Marathon
Marvel fanatics, assemble! Everybody loves a good superhero movie with action, adventure, emotions and just the right kind of storyline. Filled with twists and turns, this adventurous, action-packed series will keep you hooked!
Back to the Future
With the latest sci-fi movies in today’s day and age, it’s always nice to kick back with an original that way ahead of its time. Back to the Future is about a 17-year-old high school student who is accidentally sent thirty years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, an eccentric scientist.
Up
Get ready for some waterworks and for your heart to be filled with joy. Up is one of Disney’s most popular award-winning animation that is based on 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen, who travels to Paradise Falls in his house equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway.
The Chronicles of Narnia
Based on a seven-book series, The Chronicles of Narnia has four movie installments, all revolving around a magical land with magical beings who must fight to protect what is theirs.
A plethora of blockbusters are also set to release on the BIG Screen over the rest of summer and the start of fall: Free Guy (August), Paw Patrol (August), Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (September), Venom: Let There Be Carnage (Septmeber), Dune (September), Hotel Transylvania: Transformania (September), Addams Family 2 (September) No Time to Die (October), Clifford the Big Red Dog (October) and more.
Book your tickets and head to the cinema for an immersive experience with your family and friends!
Sources: IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes
Check out the cinema ads booked through Motivate Val Morgan in July 2021
With school summer holidays in effect, Eid al-Adha just around the corner and an exciting line-up of highly anticipated blockbusters set to release over the coming months, cinema is the ideal destination for all this summer and the right time for advertisers to display their brand on the BIG screen.
Here’s a list of cinema ads screening over July 2021:
Hampton by Hilton
Ad Duration: 35 sec.
Campaign Duration: 24th June 2021 to 18th August 2021
Country: UAE
Cinema Locations: VOX Cinemas: The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Nation Towers Galleria, Mercato Mall, Mall of the Emirates and Nakheel Mall, and Reel Cinemas: The Dubai Mall
BMW X3
Ad Duration: 30 sec.
Campaign Duration: Follow the movie – Black Widow
Country: UAE
Cinema Locations: VOX Cinemas: Mall of the Emirates, Nakheel Mall, YAS Mall and Riyadh Park Mall
Atlantis
Ad Duration: 30 sec.
Campaign Duration: Follow the movie– Black Widow
Country: UAE
Cinema Locations: VOX Cinemas: Mall of the Emirates and Reel Cinemas: The Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina Mall and The Pointe
OSN
Country: UAE & Saudi Arabia
Ad Duration: 30 sec.
Campaign Duration UAE: Follow the movie – Black Widow
Campaign Duration Saudi Arabia: 8th July 2021 to 28th July 2021
Cinema Locations: VOX Cinemas: Mall of the Emirates, Riyadh Front Mall and Red Sea Mall, and Reel Cinemas: The Dubai Mall
*Please Note: The final frame of the ad in Saudi Arabia was in Arabic
MBC Group
Country: UAE & Saudi Arabia
Ad Duration: 55 sec.
Campaign Duration UAE: 11th July 2021 to 17th July 2021
Cinema Locations: Multiple VOX, Cine Royal, Reel and Oscar cinema locations.
Herfy
Ad Duration: 30 sec.
Campaign Duration: 22nd July 2021 to 4th August 2021
Country: Saudi Arabia
Cinema Locations: Multiple VOX, AMC and Muvi cinema locations.
McDonalds
Ad Duration: 30 sec.
Campaign Duration: 1st July 2021 to 1st December 2021
Country: Kuwait
Cinema Locations: VOX Cinemas: The Avenues
Boubyan Bank
Ad Duration: 60 sec.
Campaign Duration: 24th June 2021 to 4th August 2021
Country: Kuwait
Cinema Locations: VOX Cinemas: The Avenues
Kuwait Finance House
Ad Duration: 30 sec.
Campaign Duration: 1st July 2021 to 21st July 2021
Country: Kuwait
Cinema Locations: VOX Cinemas: The Avenues
Kuwait Fund
Ad Duration: 30 sec.
Campaign Duration: 8th July onwards
Country: Kuwait
Cinema Locations: VOX Cinemas: The Avenues
Bank Dhofar
Ad Duration: 51 sec.
Campaign Duration: 10th June 2021 to 24th November 2021
Country: Oman
Cinema Locations: Multiple VOX cinema locations
National Water Company (NWC)
Ad Duration: 20 sec.
Campaign Duration: 1st July 2021 to 21st July 2021
Country: Saudi Arabia
Cinema Locations: Multiple AMC, VOX, and Muvi cinema locations
Redtag
Ad Duration: 15 sec.
Campaign Duration: 1st July 2021 to 14th July 2021
Country: Saudi Arabia
Cinema Locations: Multiple AMC, VOX and Muvi Cinemas locations
Here’s a list of highly anticipated blockbusters releasing over Q3 and Q4 2021:
The Suicide Squad
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Free Guy
Venom: Let There Be Carnage
No Time to Die
Eternals
Top Gun: Maverick
Whether it’s a launch of a new product, an integrated campaign or a storytelling ad worthy of the BIG screen, cinema offers advertisers an environment that brings campaigns to life.
Don’t miss out on advertising your brand alongside the blockbusters ahead. Contact us for more information on booking cinema ads on the screens across our cinema circuit in the Middle East.
Here’s an extensive line-up of movies releasing in cinema over summer in 2021!
With the global rollout of the vaccine, cinemas in parts of the US now open and UK set to open its doors to cinemagoers in May, multiple production houses have now confirmed the theatrical release date for most movies postponed as a result of the pandemic, with cinema lovers now having lots to look forward to this summer.
Here’s a comprehensive list of movies set to hit the BIG screen this summer:
Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
A sequel to the 2018 animation blockbuster, the second installment witnesses Peter Rabbit move to the big city upon finding the garden life redundant. However, not every sail must be smooth – he meets people from different walks of life in the big city and eventually ends up creating havoc for his family! Join Peter on this journey in a cinema near you on 13 May 2021.
Cruella
The live-action movie stars Emma Stone as a young Cruella de Vil – the famous villain from ‘101 Dalmatians’. The story revolves around Cruella’s years as a fashion designer in the 70s, when she becomes obsessed with dogs’ skin – especially Dalmatians. The movie is set to release on the BIG screen on 27 May 2021.
Fast & Furious 9
Make way for the 9th installment in the Fast Saga! The plot of the movie centres on Dominic Toretto and his crew having to join forces to battle the most skilled assassin and high-performance driver they’ve ever encountered, who also happens to be Dom’s forsaken brother Jakob. Will Dom be able to save those he loves, or will he go down fighting? Find out on 25 June 2021.
The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It
Real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren are back with a chilling story of terror, murder and unknown evil. The third installment of the real-life inspired series revolves around the fight for the soul of a young boy, which leads to something that is unknown in U.S history – a murder suspect claiming demonic possession as a defense. The movie is set to releases in cinema on 3 June 2021.
A Quiet Place II
The sequel to the 2018 blockbuster follows the events at the home of the Abbott family, who now face the terrors of the outside world. Compelled to resort to the unknown, the Abbott’s realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threat lurking beyond the sand path. Venture into the unknown with them on 10 June 2021 at a cinema near you.
The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard
The world’s most lethal odd duo – bodyguard Michael Bryce and hitman Darius Kincaid, have taken on another life-threatening mission – to save Darius’s wife Sonia. The trio get caught amidst a global plot only to find that they are all that stand between Europe and a vengeful and powerful madman. Join the fun deadly mayhem on 17 June 2021.
Black Widow
In Marvel Studios’ action-packed spy thriller, Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff confronts the darker parts of her life when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger. This action-packed blockbuster resales on 9 July 2021.
The Suicide Squad
The sequel to the 2016 Suicide Squad, is set to release across cinemas on 5 August 2021. The movie revolves around super-Villains Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, Peacemaker, and a collection of cons at Belle Reve prison who join the super-secret Force X. Heavily armed, they are dropped off at the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese where they must fight to live.
Free Guy
After multiple reschedules, this blockbuster starring Ryan Reynolds is set to release on 12 August 2021. The movie’s plot is based on a bank teller named Guy, who realizes he is a character in a video game that is soon going offline! Will he win the race against time to save the game before the developers can shut it down? Find out this summer.
Candyman
A sequel to the 1992 horror film, Candyman makes a comeback to a reestablished neighborhood of Chicago where the legend began. A decade after the last of the Cabrini towers were torn down, Anthony and his partner move into a loft in the now gentrified Cabrini, unknowingly opening a door to a complex past that unravels his own sanity and unleashes a terrifying wave of violence. This spine-chilling thriller is set to release in cinema on 24 August 2021.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City
Once the booming home of pharmaceutical giant Umbrella Corporation, Raccoon City is now a dying Midwestern town. The company’s production plant has left the city as a barren wasteland with great evil brewing below the surface. A small group of survivors must work together to uncover the truth behind the crimes of Umbrella Corporation and make it through the night. Watch the eventful night unfold in a theatre near you on 2 September 2021.
The Boss Baby 2: Family Business
The Templeton brothers have become adults and drifted away from each other, but a new boss baby with a cutting-edge approach is about to bring them together again – and inspire a new family business.
Other movies set to release over summer in 2021 include:
Troll: The Tale of Tail (May 2021), Spirit Untamed (June 2021), The Forever Purge (July 2021), Jungle Cruise (July 2021), Reminiscence (August 2021), Stillwater (August 2021), Shang-Chi: The Legend of the 10 Rings (September 2021), The Addams Family 2 (September 2021), Invasion (September 2021), The Many Saints of Newark (September 2021) and more.
From action-packed blockbusters, hair-raising thrillers and a heap of light entertainment, the big screen is set to be your go to destination this summer.
Contact us to display your brand alongside these upcoming blockbusters on the BIG screen!
In a world with chaos all around, comedy is a saviour for all!
Scientifically, when we laugh, our body releases the chemical Endorphins – the body’s natural ‘feel-good’ chemical, and there’s truly nothing better than a hearty laugh to get these hormones activated.
Everyone enjoys a good comedy film from time to time, and here are four reasons why this genre is loved by all:
Stress-buster:
Be it a long day at work or school, the best way to unwind is by watching something light and funny. There is something about the punch lines, witty sense of humour and the extremely important timing and style of delivery by the actor/actors in question. There are so many facets to comedy, which makes us laugh and relax our nerves.
Develops a sense of humour:
Watching a comedy not only helps us feel relaxed and rejuvenated, but also supports in developing a sense of humour as our surroundings influence us and play a major role in our day-to-day interactions. Having a sense of humour is an essential life skill. Not only does it help us cope during difficult times in life, especially now with the outbreak of COVID-19, but also helps us increase productivity, leadership skills and even improve cardiovascular health!
Studies show that watching a movie of this genre can improve your blood pressure and keep it at an ideal level for up to 24 hours. In 2011, Oxford University conducted an experimental research with a sample set of candidates and concluded that those who watched comedy movies after experiencing painful stimuli had better pain tolerance as compared to those who did not watch comedy movies.
Makes us better people:
Comedy helps us keep our health in check, contributes to our personality and plays a big role in our day-to-day lives. Humour is a form of coping mechanism for many, while doing so it also adds to our wit, spontaneity and leadership skills. In a survey conducted by Robert Half International, 91% of executives believed that having a good sense of humor is important for one’s career advancement, while a majority of the respondents said that a good sense of humour and work ethic are two vital qualities they look for in a good leader.
A Great Pass Time:
One of the main reasons we watch movies of this genre is because it is a great way to pass time. They are highly entertaining but they also keep us occupied! As per research on Statista – Most popular movie genres in North America from 1995 to 2020, by total box office revenue, comedy is the fourth highest revenue-generating genre (34.38 billion dollars) in the US, behind Adventure, Action and Drama. Additionally, as per research conducted by Motivate Val Morgan in 2017 – Cinema 360, comedy is one of the highest watched genres in the UAE, with 82.5% inclined towards watching comedy at the cinema.
Below are the comedy titles set to release in 2021:
Tom & Jerry – February 2021, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar – February 2021, Coming 2 America – March, 2021, Marry Me – May 2021, Rumble – May 2021, Free Guy – May 2021, Minions: The Rise of Gru – June 2021 and Boss Baby: Family Business – September 2021.
Please Note – Movie release dates are subject to change.
Contact a member of our sales team for more information on cinema advertising opportunities alongside these comedy blockbusters.
Sources: Scientific American, Motivate Val Morgan, Maps of India, Statista, IMDB, Movieweb, WeForum, QZ, Forbes, Seat42f and Moviefone.
With roughly 80 days to go for Christmas, we at Motivate Val Morgan look ahead to what’s in store on the BIG screen in the month of December, and why brands should plan to include cinema in their festive media campaigns.
From mystery thriller Death on the Nile – based on the 1973 novel by Agatha Christie and Wonder Woman 1984 – the ninth installment in the DC Extended Universe, December 2020 holds festive treats for both cinemagoers and advertisers.
It has been a difficult year for a majority of industries with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and its on-going coverage dominating the news.
For cinema, Q2 2020 started off with its closure, followed by a staggered reopening between June and September – with cinemas operating at 30-50% capacity, accompanied by the lack of new content. Then came the release of two highly anticipated blockbusters – Tenet and Mulan, closely following each other, that did rather well on the BIG screen in both UAE and Saudi Arabia:
Following this high note was the official announcement of Death on the Nile, Wonder Woman 1984, No Time to Die and Black Widow pushing its release dates to December 2020, April 2021 and May 2021 (respectively).
The good news for now is that Bollywood blockbuster Laxmmi Bomb – featuring Akshay Kumar, which premiers on 9 November 2020 on Disney Plus Hotstar, will also release across cinemas in Australia, New Zealand and UAE simultaneously, on 9 November 2020. Laxmmi Bomb is anticipated to give cinema another upward push at box office in the UAE.
Laxmmi Bomb Motion Poster Trailer:
For now, December has a treat in store for everyone – cinemagoers and advertisers, with a range of highly anticipated a-list and b-list blockbusters, expected to release on the BIG screen.
The month kicks off with a brand new action comedy adventure featuring Ryan Reynolds – Free Guy, a story about a bank teller who discovers that he’s actually an NPC inside a brutal open world video game, scheduled to release 10 December 2020.
Free Guy Trailer:
Next up is Death on the Nile by 20th Century Studios, scheduled to release on 17th December 2020 . The mystery thriller directed by Kenneth Branagh is based on the 1937 novel of the same name by Agatha Christie, and a follow-up to 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express, featuring a star studded cast which includes Gal Gadot, Kenneth Branagh, Tome Bateman, Russell Brand and Letitia Wright.
Death on the Nile Trailer:
Just in time for Christmas will be the release of the much anticipated DC blockbuster Wonder Woman 1984 by Warner Bros. – featuring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine and Kristen Wiig. The film was originally announced for release on 13 December 2019, before being moved up to 1 November 2019, then to 5 June 5 2020, followed by 2 October 2020, and now 24 December 2020. Fingers crossed we won’t have to wait any longer than December 2020.
Wonder Woman 1984 Trailer:
Please Note: release dates for the movies listed above are subject to change.
December being the month of festivity, is something we’re sure most are looking forward to. There’s no denying that come December, the pandemic might still be headlining the news. However, cinema has always been known for providing audiences with a space for escapism – a place to immerse themselves in a story, for a couple of hours, watching feel-good content. Given the hardships we have experienced this year, in some way or another, December holds optimism among cinemagoers, given the powerful movie line-up, and presents opportunities for advertisers to target audiences who are keen to flex their spending power during the festive month leading up to the new year.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on movies releasing on the BIG screen over the next couple of months. We’ve also recently launched an attractive ‘guaranteed views’ package. Contact us if interested in starting a discussion on cinema advertising opportunities alongside any of the above mentioned blockbusters in the month of December 2020.
Sources: Box office Mojo, NDTV, IMDb and YouTube
