Currently, due to the omicron spike and NBC's decision not to broadcast the Golden Globes because of ethical concerns regarding the organization responsible for the awards, Hollywood's typically busy and hype-filled first week of the year has been significantly quieter. The AFI Awards were delayed, the Critics' Choice Awards were rescheduled in an attempt to fill the gap left by the absence of the Golden Globes, and the Palm Springs Film Festival, a regular event during award season, was canceled. Additionally, many of the movies favored to win awards did not perform well at the box office. The Academy Awards are still set for March 27, with nominations coming on February 8, but it is unknown what the event will entail. The organization has already delayed its annual Governors Awards, which have presented honorary Oscars for the past 11 years in a ceremony not broadcasted on television. It is unclear if there will be a host, audience, or viewers for the event. The Academy hired a producer from the film "Girls Trip" in October to manage the show, but has not provided any further details and declined to comment for this article. The situation in 2022 is starting to resemble that of 2021, with Hollywood once again missing out on its usual season of self-congratulation. This absence of award shows is hurting the film industry's main form of advertisement just when it is needed the most. This could have significant impacts on the types of movies being produced. Nancy Utley, a former co-chair of Fox Searchlight, emphasized the importance of award shows for the box office, as they were crucial for promoting films before the pandemic. The reason for going to see a smaller movie in that area was due to the recognition it received. However, it is difficult to achieve this in the current film industry climate. Many prestigious films are released every year with the hope of earning most of their box office revenue between the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards. The decline of the Golden Globes, which faced numerous issues including financial impropriety and lack of diversity, has already impacted this trend. If the awards season hype in Hollywood fades, it could have a damaging effect on the struggling box office. The significant rise in streaming viewership has led to a noticeable decline in theater attendance, with only major blockbusters like "Spider-Man: No Way Home" attracting large crowds. Stephen Galloway, dean of Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, expressed concerns about the future of the movie industry, noting that people have become less accustomed to watching films on the big screen. He emphasized the importance of award season in promoting the achievements of Hollywood, pointing out that the Academy Awards were established in 1929 for this purpose. At its peak, the broadcast attracted 55 million viewers. However, over the years, this number has been declining, reaching an all-time low of 10.4 million viewers last year. The show lacked a host, musical performances, and featured the little-known film "Nomadland" as its best picture winner. Despite efforts by Hollywood to promote theatergoing as a cultural experience, viewership has not increased. The general public is still hesitant to return to movie theaters regularly, as evidenced by the lackluster box office performances of recent films like "No Time to Die" and "West Side Story." Despite positive reviews, movies like "Last Night in Soho," "Nightmare Alley," and "Belfast" have struggled to attract audiences. Even highly anticipated films like Spielberg's "West Side Story" have failed to make a significant impact financially. The original film made $44 million in 1961, which is equivalent to $409 million today. A recent study shows that 49% of moviegoers before the pandemic are no longer purchasing tickets, with 8% saying they will never return. This decline is concerning for midbudget movies that rely on positive reviews and publicity to attract audiences. Some believe that the midrange film industry, which includes movies costing $20 million to $60 million and are not based on popular intellectual properties, may be permanently altered. If changes in viewing habits are permanent and award nominations and wins are no longer a big draw, it will be much harder for certain films to make a profit. If audiences only want to see the latest blockbuster like "Spider-Man" at the movies, it will be difficult to persuade them to also watch a film like "Belfast," a black-and-white meditation on childhood, in a crowded theater instead of at home. According to Galloway, this not only impacts individual films and filmmakers, but also the entire art form itself. Art is delicate. Out of the other potential best-picture contenders that had a significant theatrical release, only "Dune," a science fiction film based on existing material, surpassed the $100 million mark at the box office. "King Richard" made $14.7 million, and "Licorice Pizza" made $7 million. According to film journalist and historian Mark Harris, no non-genre adult dramas have made over $50 million. The landscape of 2019, where films like "1917," "Ford v. Ferrari," and "Parasite" made significant earnings, is no longer the same. Despite this, studios are adapting - MGM is adjusting its release strategy for "Licorice Pizza" after seeing other high-quality films struggle in wide release. The release of "Cyrano" in Britain starring Peter Dinklage has been postponed to February to coincide with the US release in hopes of attracting older female moviegoers back to theaters. Sony Pictures Classics is utilizing the same strategy as in 2021, with more virtual screenings and Q&As for academy voters, as well as faster home distribution. Their documentary "Julia" about Julia Child was made available on premium video-on-demand during the holidays. While many studios held premieres and parties in early December with vaccination and testing requirements, events in January such as screenings and parties are being canceled or moved online due to the pandemic. Billboards saying "For your consideration" are still common in Los Angeles, but in-person events are mostly on hold. Netflix, known for limited theatrical releases and not reporting box office results, is expected to have a strong presence in the award season with films like "Tick, Tick ... Boom," "The Power of the Dog," and "The Lost Daughter" contending for awards. Like other studios, Netflix has moved all in-person events for January to virtual. Michael Barker, co-president of Sony Pictures Classics, mentioned in an interview that last year was difficult to adapt to, and this year is also about adapting to the current situation. He spoke while walking in Manhattan instead of being in Palm Springs, where he was supposed to honor Penélope Cruz for her role in the Oscar contender "Parallel Mothers." Barker mentioned that you have to do what you can to compensate during these times, and look ahead to what the future holds once things return to normal.