Top 10 Reasons Movie Theaters May Be a Thing of the Past
Ah, yes, who doesn't love the movies? It's a great experience, but theaters are in trouble.The rise of streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ has made it easier than ever for people to enjoy films from the comfort of their homes. Even as the world moves beyond the immediate effects of COVID-19, many moviegoers have grown accustomed to watching new releases at home rather than paying for a theater ticket.
Of course, there will always be something special about seeing a film on the big screen, but the reality is that theaters aren't what they used to be. Rising costs, shifting audience habits, and new technology have all changed the way people think about watching movies. With so many ways to watch at home... on huge TVs, with surround sound, and without the hassle of overpriced concessions or noisy crowds... it's no surprise that fewer people are heading to the theater.
So, what are the biggest reasons movie theaters might become a thing of the past? Vote for the reasons you think belong at the top of the list.
Let's be honest: who doesn't have Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu nowadays? It's pretty nice. You can pay like $9-$16 a month on Netflix, for example, depending on your subscription plan. That's like the same as a soda, popcorn, and candy bar at a theater, and you get an entire library of movies, documentaries, and other original shows at your fingertips. Why pay 30 dollars to watch a movie once when you can pay half that and watch whatever you want whenever you want?
This is obvious. Why go through all the trouble to see a movie when you can watch that movie and millions more on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, etc.
If you watch a movie on Netflix, you're in control. You can pause at any time for bathroom breaks or to get a snack. Watching movies on the big screen is nice, but there's no mercy if you have to go to the restroom. Hopefully, you don't miss one of the good parts. Otherwise, that's too bad.
As much as I hate to say it, the ticket prices will only go up. Because fewer people are going to the movies, theaters need a profit somehow. Prices are going to have to change one way or another. I have a feeling they'll go higher as an act of desperation to try and add a new experience to the mix, with the likes of 3D and IMAX.
Like I said, a family of four may easily drop over 100 dollars to see a movie. Why do that when you could just make a bag of popcorn at home and have a movie night in the living room? Again, why spend an average of 40-50 dollars to watch a movie for a family of four? You could get Trolls World Tour for $20 on Amazon Prime. It's not hard to see how family-friendly movies could opt for this route instead.
Going to the movies, thanks to ballooning movie budgets and more expensive projection equipment, has skyrocketed in price. In 2015, the average movie ticket price in the US rose to an all-time high of $8.61. That's up $0.30 from 2013! That doesn't sound like a lot, but it adds up over time.
In places like NYC or LA, a general admission adult ticket is $15 and as high as $50 if you want to watch in IMAX or 3D. That's not even getting to the concession stands, with popcorn, candy, and a soda all totaling around 15 dollars. This means a family of four is easily dropping at least 100 dollars to see a movie. Sure, it's fun, but is it really worth that?
According to Business Insider, the number of wide releases by the six major studios - Warner Bros, Walt Disney, 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, and Universal - has been on a downward trend since 2006. In 2017, they released just 79 movies, down 38% from 2006. Since 1995, only 2013 was lower.
This hurts because movie theaters rely on those big hits. With the big six eating up companies left and right (looking at you, Disney), there's less major releases from the major studios.
Don't tell me you haven't been to a movie without hearing at least one screaming kid or someone kicking your chair. Whatever the case may be, someone will irritate the crap out of you. Watching in the privacy of your own home eliminates that problem almost entirely.
While 3D, IMAX, and Dolby sound are nice, is it worth the higher price? Does it warrant that much of a difference to get a 4D XL smell-spraying Virtual Reality experience?
This is bad because if you have to go to the bathroom, for example, you can't pause the movie. You just have to go as quickly as possible and hope you don't miss a really good part.
The Newcomers
Since major franchises like Marvel and Star Wars have large fanbases, when the big movies come out, there's a cultural desire to see them as soon as possible to avoid spoilers. Everyone wants to see the new Avengers movie on opening weekend as opposed to two weeks later. People will flock to the midnight showings, and it's impossible to ignore the marketing blitz, toy and merchandise tie-ins, and internet buzz.
A movie opening has become a major pop culture event. For that reason, audiences tend to flock to a movie on opening night. That creates problems for more casual moviegoers. Instead of a relaxing movie, people now fight to get tickets to certain showings, rush to get good seating, and have to deal with large crowds for everything from parking to going to the bathroom. For a good portion of the population, that crowd mentality becomes a major deterrent from going to see a new release.
