The production and release of new films has become uncertain since the pandemic began and restrictive measures have hit the film industry hard to contain the spread of covid-19. Despite this, 2021 saw a string of releases around the world, after some easing of restrictions.

Another related questioning concerned speculation about whether people would go to the movie theaters to enjoy the news.

The decision by many production companies was to release the films on two channels simultaneously, in theaters and on streaming services. This second option brought disadvantage to the owners of the theaters, as well as to the box office fraction of the films, by facilitating the possibility of pirating.

"When a movie is released simultaneously on a streaming service, a pristine copy of that movie is made available the first day it is in theaters," said the CEO of the National Association of Cinemas Owners of America, John Fithian.

Although some of the movies that were at the top of the list had box office success due to the circumstances of the pandemic, theater owners argued that they lost money from piracy.

Most of the movies that appeared most frequently on the piracy lists (those that topped the lists for more than two consecutive weeks) were released simultaneously in theaters and on streaming services

"Mortal Kombat" - Four consecutive weeks; it was released in theaters and on HBO Max.

"Godzilla vs. Kong" - Three consecutive weeks; it was released in theaters and on HBO Max.

"Black Widow" - three consecutive weeks; was released in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access (additional $30 fee required for subscribers to watch).

"Free Guy" - three consecutive weeks, two of which were available on digital platforms.

"Venom: Let There Be Carnage"-three consecutive weeks after it was available on digital platforms.

There are more, which you can see here.