It was a welcomed surprise for movie theater owners this weekend as people returned to watch movies on the big screen.

“A Quiet Place Part 2” broke records for ticket sales in the pandemic, making more than $57 million in North America.

Hillsborough Cinemas owner Bob Pichieota, Sr. says business at his theater quadrupled compared to other weekends in the pandemic. He says that this was in part to the rainy weather, “A Quiet Place Part 2,” and Disney’s “Cruella.”

The COVID-19 pandemic nearly destroyed the movie industry. Productions were shut down and theaters were closed. Memorial Day weekend was a test of the public's interest in coming back to the movies.

“I think it’s a big turning point. It shows that people are willing to go back to the movies,” says Pichieota.

The theater industry has high hopes as summer begins with the release of the musical "In the Heights" and “F9,” the latest in the “Fast And Furious” franchise.

"A Quiet Place Part 2" is among the long list of movies that was scheduled to come out last year, but were held back by studios because of the pandemic.