In a first-of-its-kind move, US President Donald Trump has slapped a 100% tariff on foreign films 🤯. That’s right – from Bollywood’s blockbusters like "RRR" and "Dangal" to South Korean hits like "Parasite" (PS: Oscar winner!), anything made outside the US will cost double at the box office.
Why should you care? If you love catching the latest K-drama movie spin-offs or anime premieres, brace for pricier tickets. Local cinemas might pass on extra costs to fans, and streaming platforms could rethink release strategies.
Here’s how it could shake things up:
- Theater Ticket Prices: Expect 10–30% hikes as cinemas juggle the new fees.
- Streaming Services: Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ could produce more US-based content or adjust subscription fees.
- Industry Moves: Studios might bring productions back stateside, hitting global job markets and local film economies.
For South and Southeast Asian audiences, this shake-up could be a double-edged sword. While your fav international blockbusters get more expensive, it might spark a renaissance in regional cinema. Imagine more local indie gems from Indonesia, the Philippines, or the Malaysia-Singapore film circuit gaining spotlight 🎥✨.
Next steps? Filmmakers, lobbyists, and lawmakers are already pushing back, questioning how customs will enforce digital streams and downloads. Meanwhile, movie buffs can only wait, watch, and hope for blockbuster twists in policy.
Stay glued to your screens and streaming apps – this global cinema saga is far from over!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
