“Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé” opens worldwide Friday and several movie theaters in New York City had screenings Thursday night.
For some Beyoncé fans, the film — a documentary about the making of her “Renaissance” stadium tour — could not come out fast enough.
“I’ve been going through withdrawls since her last show so it’s like reliving it all over again,” said Mariel Herera, who was at the AMC Empire 25 movie theater near Times Square Thursday night to catch a screening.
Mariel and Claribel Herera, from Rosedale, Long Island, in the lobby of the AMC Empire 25 at 42nd Street.
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“I told my students all about it today,” said Toana Kelly, a teacher from Brooklyn. “I even got a Beyoncé book for them, and when I was leaving today, they were screaming ‘Beyoncé, Beyoncé’ because I’m like Queen Bey for my school.”
For other fans, it’s their chance to finally experience the show.
Miguel Mejia from Bed-Stuy, Turner Popalis from Hell’s Kitchen at AMC in midtown Thursday night.
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Rachel Walters had tickets to attend the Renaissance World Tour at MetLife Stadium in July, but got COVID right before the show. She’d spent $360 for seats just outside the floor.
“If I was a little bit sick, I would have still made it,” she said. “But I was so sick. I physically could not move.”
And so, when “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé” was announced in October, Walters was elated. She snapped up tickets immediately.
“I personally will be treating it like it’s the concert,” said Walters. She planned to go with a group of friends, and “pregame beforehand” with dinner and drinks.
The nearly 3-hour-long film, narrated by Queen Bey herself, gives viewers a front-row seat to the “Renaissance” stadium tour and features behind-the-scenes footage showing what it took to produce it.
Char International from Baltimore at AMC on Thursday night.
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Because Walters wasn’t able to use the outfit she’d planned to wear this summer — a long black Skims bodycon dress, high heels, and a silver feathered boa — she’ll be wearing it to the movie.
“[My friends] might just be a little bit more comfy,” she said. “But I know for me, specifically, I’m going to be a little bit extra.”
There will be plenty of opportunities across the city to be “extra” this weekend. In downtown Brooklyn, the Alamo Drafthouse movie theater is selling Beyoncé-themed merchandise, including cups, t-shirts, and limited edition posters.
Dean Fryn from Greenwich Village, Josiah Valcarcel from Bushwick and Kimberly Bush from Clinton Hill in the lobby of the AMC Empire 25 at 42nd Street.
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The AMC theater chain is selling “Renaissance” themed popcorn tins and cups, a special cocktail inspired by the album cut “Alien Superstar,” and giving away free movie posters.
It also has a special section on its website with rules for watching “Renaissance:” dancing is encouraged, but not on theater seats. Opulent outfits are welcome, as long as they are not so grand they block other people’s view.
Matthew Wright from Harlem in the lobby of the AMC Empire 25 at 42nd Street.
Scott Lynch for Gothamist
Brooklyn resident Olivia Shalhoup said she opted not to take vacation this summer in order to splurge on front row seats for the second night of the Renaissance tour at MetLife.
She said she doesn’t mind giving Queen Bey more money. She’s going all out to the movie, with a chrome-colored, head-to-toe outfit complete with a sparkly purple-ish chrome handbag.
“I work in the music industry,” she said. “To me, it’s a little bit bigger than just consuming the product. It’s a little bit of me wanting to immerse myself in this moment in time.”
Ivy Nicole is hoping to use the “Renaissance” film to build community. She rented out part of the Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn to host an event for Black queer people to enjoy the film, which was heavily influenced by Black queer dance and house music culture.
Malia Cook from Midwood at AMC.
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Nicole said that for her, the concert was a “spiritual” moment, so she hopes her event can be the same for others.
“I think the pandemic stripped away a lot of celebration,” she said. “I’m excited to create spaces where that Black celebration comes back to life.”
Still, not everyone is sold on giving Beyoncé more money.
Imani Norwood from Flatbush in the lobby of the AMC Empire 25 in midtown Thursday night.
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Queens resident Shar Nele Harris said that after spending close to $1,500 to see the singer at two different concert stops this summer, she’s financially tapped out.
“Like girl, it’s been enough,” she said. “We’ve all done our duty. We supported you and all the children. At the concert I bought merch. I had my cousin buy me merch. I bought the record. So I don’t think there’s anything else I need to get to remember this era.”
The film is expected to bring in a lot of money at the box office. According to Deadline, this weekend’s opening could gross around $30 million globally.
That figure is just a fraction of the box office tally for the opening weekend of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” which raked in $123.5 million, but Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, which tracks and analyzes box office figures, said “Renaissance” is still important for the economy of the movie industry.
“It means selling more popcorn and soda. It gets the theater lobby bustling with Beyoncé fans,” he said. “If they have a great time at the movie theater seeing that concert film, they may come back for a traditional film or the next concert film.”
Scott Lynch contributed reporting.
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