Seattle Times
A banner year at the box office driven by films including “Fast & Furious,” “Star Trek” and “Hannah Montana” is turning out to be a powerful recession vaccine for the nation’s biggest movie-theater chains. Only a few months ago, investors feared that consumers’ reluctance to spend money would keep them at home, depressing business at 5,800 local U.S. theaters. Like a twist ending to a Hollywood thriller, attendance this year has jumped 14 percent, according to tracking company Hollywood.com Box Office. Theater operators may have the weak economy and penny-pinching consumers to thank.