Now think about the last time you went to the movies. Was it a week ago? A month ago? A year ago? I’ll bet some of you can’t even remember the last time you watched the lights dim with a bucket of popcorn in your lap.
Especially as college students, we often don’t make time to go to the movies. It isn’t convenient, we hate to go alone, and it’s expensive! It’s overall just a hassle for those who aren’t passionate about the movie-going experience to take time out of their day to go to a movie theater.
However, it’s not just college kids who aren’t taking the time to go to the movies. Many adults used to also take the time to take the drive to their local theater, either with their families or simply for some alone time. But, as you can notice in any theater, if it isn’t release weekend for a hyped film, the seats are normally empty. What happened?
One reason for this is the movies that are being released. Sure, there are some recent movies that have filled theaters, like Obsession and Primetime, but the mega “blockbusters” simply aren’t doing it anymore. I remember when the Marvel movies were in full swing and it was impossible to get a seat for the first month of its run. I was lucky enough to go to a midnight showing of Endgame the day it came out, and I will never forget the audience and the way they reacted to almost everything. There was screaming, laughing, crying, and certainly the toss of popcorn.
As I’ve gotten older, though, those universal movie-going experiences have almost faded away. I can’t remember the last studio blockbuster that I’ve felt like I needed to go see the second it came out. The last movie I remember people reacting loudly to was A Minecraft Movie, and that was only because it was a joke. It feels like the magic of going to the movies for an exciting experience. If you do get a full theater, even for a massively hyped movie, expect for phones to be out and the audience to be silent.
Another theater killer that I’ve noticed is the prices. Over the years, ticket prices, membership prices, and concession prices have been steadily climbing. I remember times when my dad and I could go to the movies for $30 including popcorn and soda, and that is not the case anymore. Now, going to the movies alone can cost nearly $30, and that is before getting a snack. If you go to the movies enough, memberships like AMC A-List are worth it, but if you aren’t going 2-3 times a week, it’s like flushing money down a toilet. Between prices and the lacking appeal of some featured films, something like A-List isn’t worth it for most people. It’s not even worth it for me most of the time, and I share a membership with a friend. People aren’t willing to spend an arm and a leg to go.
Streaming is another big factor of the digital killer of the theater. Most movies spend very little time in theaters, less than 2 or 3 months, while some other films never get a theatrical release. I think that the wide availability of movies at your fingertips is extremely harmful to the movie theater industry. If I were someone who wasn’t passionate about the movie theater, I would absolutely wait until movies were available at home to watch them. I’m even guilty of doing this as a passionate movie goer. When Backrooms came out, I knew a lot of people who went to see it in theaters and didn’t like it, so therefore, I didn’t waste my money. I waited until it came out on HBO Max to watch it, and I am honestly happy I didn’t spend my money on a ticket (however, this is an article for another time).
While the movies are a magical place, it’s hard to justify going when there are so many factors that make it many people’s last choice for seeing movies. Prices, etiquette, and streaming make going to a theater less appealing, and honestly, I don’t blame them. Why go to a theater when you can watch a movie without driving anywhere, spending upwards of $35, and you’re able to eat your favorite snacks with your favorite blanket?
The reason we do it, however, is the filmmakers. Supporting indie or first-time film makers helps them get their careers off the ground, and the word-of-mouth that comes from seeing movies the way they were intended to be seen helps the movie industry thrive.
Movies like Obsession, Talk to Me, and Barbarian would never have become movie miracles if we didn’t see them in person. These directors started out with little budget and little traction, and they exploded in popularity because audiences went out to see them. People only became enthralled with the films and stories because of their effect on them in the theater. Movies like these would have been swept under the rug if they were just dropped on steaming with no fanfare or acclaim. If we go out of our way to see movies and overlook the inconveniences, it helps film makers, and who knows? Maybe our new favorite movie will be made because of your popcorn or ticket purchase.
