The Casual Moviegoer is a Thing of the Past (latimes.com)
- Reference: 0175581353
- News link: https://entertainment.slashdot.org/story/24/12/02/200207/the-casual-moviegoer-is-a-thing-of-the-past
- Source link: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2024-12-02/the-casual-moviegoer-is-a-thing-of-the-past-thats-a-big-problem-for-hollywood
Films now average 32 days in theaters compared to 80 days pre-pandemic, limiting opportunities for audiences to discover movies spontaneously. Midtier films generating $50-100 million at the box office have become scarcer, particularly in genres like drama and romantic comedy. Theater chains are responding with enhanced experiences and loyalty programs to draw audiences back.
"It's fair to say there is a missing billion dollars that, if we had the right movies, people would be going to see them," said Bruce Nash, founder of movie business site the Numbers, told LA Times. Frequent moviegoers comprise only 12-15% of box office revenue, according to Patrick Corcoran of theater consulting firm Fithian Group.
[1] https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2024-12-02/the-casual-moviegoer-is-a-thing-of-the-past-thats-a-big-problem-for-hollywood
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You forgot the OP's starting score, which look to be below zero due to moderation of their previous troll comments killing their Karma. This is why Slashdot moderation is hard to replicate - it actually works.
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OP is not wrong though...
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> OP is not wrong though...
The story isn't that people are avoiding Hollywood entertainment, they're avoiding going to the cinema. [1]Netflix has been adding subscribers and their profits are up. [theguardian.com]
The OP just poorly articulated that they're displeased with what mainstream Hollywood entertainment is putting out lately, which pretty much demonstrates their own ignorance to the multitude of other entertainment options being produced world-wide, or that they now have easy access to a back catalog of entertainment better than any earlier poin
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/oct/17/netflix-profits-double-subscriber-growth
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Mary Sue is a terrible insult, if this was 1954.
My wife and I would like to be casual moviegoers (Score:2)
My wife and I would like to be casual moviegoers. For over 30 years we've maintained a practice of a weekly date night, with "dinner and a movie" as the preferred choice. But there are so few movies in theaters that we want to see that we don't see a lot any more. Our weekly ritual now is to check the movie listings to see what's playing, decide there's nothing of interest, then do something else. Usually, just dinner, then we go home and stream something, grumbling about the inevitable interruptions.
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> You are a couple not confused about your gender, you have a private residence, and are moaning about nothing to do. Ever thought of having...SEX?
"Private residence", LOL. 8 people live in my house. Note my mention of interruptions during movie streaming... interruptions during sex would be considerably more awkward. I suppose after the first two or three such events, people would be more careful...
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> 8 people live in my house.
Maybe the costs of 30 years going out to dinner and a movie every week would've been better spent towards obtaining living arrangements where you have more privacy? Sounds like Hollywood is actually doing your bank account a favor by putting out nothing you're interested in.
Don't get me wrong, I also think the AC's "you should have sex" quip is an immaturish thing to say. Everybody who actually has sex knows: Well, that's the first 15 minutes, now what did you want to do for the rest of the evening?
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> Maybe the costs of 30 years going out to dinner and a movie every week would've been better spent towards obtaining living arrangements where you have more privacy?
I could afford a second house if that's what we wanted. I may end up buying one for my parents pretty soon.
> Everybody who actually has sex knows: Well, that's the first 15 minutes, now what did you want to do for the rest of the evening?
Well, 30 minutes :)
But, anyway, the point of date night is to get out of the house. My wife is a stay-at-home mom (and grandma) and I work from home.
that was before COVID (Score:4, Insightful)
I'm not going to sit in a room full of people which statistically will contain sick people who don't believe in masks if I don't have to, for any purpose, but especially not to see a movie.
The obscene prices for snacks don't help either, I know they need to make money to keep the doors open but I'm still not interested.
Re: that was before COVID (Score:2)
Aww did I hurt some denialist feefees by mentioning COVID? You know the sewage counts prove it hasn't gone away, right?
How about making movies people want to watch? (Score:2)
Nobody wants to go to a theater to see crap when they can watch the same crap at home on streaming a few weeks (days?) later.
Unpleasant (Score:5, Insightful)
Cinemas have become unpleasant. Deafening sound, too many people with their phones out, nutty prices. No thanks.
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This. One recent in-theatre movie I attended had sound well above 90 db (measured it with phone app). It was a downright unpleasant experience. And not just for my old-ass ears. My kid spent a big chunk of the movie covering his ears as well.
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> This. One recent in-theatre movie I attended had sound well above 90 db (measured it with phone app). It was a downright unpleasant experience. And not just for my old-ass ears. My kid spent a big chunk of the movie covering his ears as well.
The Bob Dylan concert I attended (way back), in a smaller concert hall, was like that, probably so *he* could hear everything. :-)
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Sound levels are higher now because it has to overcome all the people that have no etiquette in public events and just yap away like they are having a conversation at home. Any they don't just talk, they yell so they can hear each other.
In the days of respect such people would be asked to either stop talking or leave by the attendant. But today it isn't worth the legal hassle for movie theaters to kick people out.
Seriously if anyone reading this does this, why even bother going plus please STFU some o
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but, but, but.... DYNAMIC RANGE! Nolan specifically wanted it to sound it that way!
Who are you to judge? the paying customer?
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> Cinemas have become unpleasant. Deafening sound, too many people with their phones out, nutty prices. No thanks.
Go at 3 PM. At least in my area, they're empty during the day and you get pretty big matinee discounts.
Now if only there were some movies worth watching.
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> Cinemas have become unpleasant. Deafening sound, too many people with their phones out, nutty prices. No thanks.
And with most theaters now using required reserved (assigned) seating, usually for all showings - yuk.
So I've been around here for a while (Score:3)
And every time there's a news story about movie theaters I've been seeing those complaints since I started. I suspect they go back farther. I wouldn't be surprised to find Socrates complaining about the noise and phones in theaters...
Given that people have been complaining about theater noise for ages and phones for as long as we've had cell phones I don't think that's the problem.
I think it's more likely that movie night has gotten to the point where it's a little over $30 a head. When it costs ov
Why go to a movie theater... (Score:2)
... just to have to listen to someone gabbing on a mobile phone in the row behind you?
The drive in died in the 1970s (Score:2)
And now the walk in theatre is on its deathbed, considering the price of admission and the prices at the snackbar i can see why, and internet streaming move onto your HUGE LCD_HDTV made it too easy to stay home make some popcorn in the microwave and your own livingroom is better theater with all the conveniences of home plus you can pause the movie as needed
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If I buy my ticket in person from another human then I pay the face value. If I do all of the work myself and order online, likely using the same system the employee uses, then I pay an extra fee.
If I go to the movies, I make sure the staff has to work extra hard so that I can pay the lowest rates. Makes perfect sense.
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Every car (almost) has bluetooth now. They should bring back drive-ins and no wait that's a terrible idea, there will just be more shootings and that'll ruin it.
Change Showtimes (Score:2)
Theatres seem to do everything they can to make movie showtimes as inconvenient as possible.
We wanted to go see Wicked as a family, but the only showtimes available all week are either during school, or go until late in the evening.
None of this works for a family. As a result - we will probably just watch it at home on a later date.
Instead of only offering shows at 7PM and 9PM, theatres should target 6PM, so that people can actually attend them during the week.
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I have an opposite problem.
During the week 9 is too late, but 7 is pushing too early for getting home, eating dinner, and getting there.
I'm probably not the only one with a "9-5" job in a similar situation.
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> Instead of only offering shows at 7PM and 9PM, theatres should target 6PM, so that people can actually attend them during the week.
Most people in major metro areas are still stuck in rush hour traffic or are just getting home by 6PM. 7PM showings make the most sense for a family during the week, and if that interferes too much with your kid(s) bedtime, then that's what weekends are for.
Plenty of reasons why (Score:5, Insightful)
Most folks are tired of:
1) People who refuse to put their phones down
2) People who talk the entire time
3) People who bring their three year old to run the isles and otherwise disrupt the entire experience
4) Poor theater maintenance ( buzzing speakers, smells like mold / mildew, poor sanitation )
5) Theater management's refusal to do anything about any of the above
6) Half an hour of " previews " before the show even begins
On top of the extremely poor quality of movies in general these days. I can't speak for everyone
but I'm reallllllllllly tired of any / all of the following tropes:
1) Zombies
2) Super Heros ( How many retellings of the same GD story do we need ? Eg: Batman )
3) Star Wars and Star Trek ( I'm Gen-X so this is saying something )
4) The " One " ( also known as the prophesied one ) who will fix everything
5) The quiet, retired ex-special forces neighbor who single handedly takes on the ( mafia, government, Evil Corporation, etc )
6) Children who save the day, World, Universe because adults are apparently incapable of it
7) Anything with more than two sequels
8) Pushing a real world agenda ( subtle or otherwise )
9) This list can go on, but you get the idea
Quit rehashing old shit and come up with something new and original for f*cks sake.
Recipe for Success (Score:2)
Of the last few movies I've seen that I've liked, which haven't been a lot, the following common factors come into play:
1. The director, or screenwriter, has a great idea for a movie.
2. The producer works with the director and screenwriter to get their story made
For all the various things that prevent the above two from happening, watch the show The Franchise on HBO. Studio heads get involved with the story. Outside consultants get involved with the story. The actors want to significantly change their chara
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> 2) Super Heroes (How many retellings of the same GD story do we need ? Eg: Batman )
From [1]The Good Place [wikipedia.org], "...Someone Like Me as a Member" (s1e9):
> Casey: Hey, a bunch of us are going to see Spider-Man 2 tonight, you wanna come?
> Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell): They made a second Spider-Man? What is there left to say?
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Good_Place
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> 3) Star Wars and Star Trek ( I'm Gen-X so this is saying something )
At some point you just have to realize movies are being made to appeal to younger generations and that's why Hollywood does so much re-hashing. Seeing the new as derivative crap is part of aging and it happens to us all.
Just take those old records off the shelf
I'll sit and listen to 'em by myself
Today's music ain't got the same soul
I like that old time rock 'n' roll
- Bob Seger
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> Most folks are tired of:
> 1) 4) Poor theater maintenance ( buzzing speakers, smells like mold / mildew, poor sanitation )
I want to speak up for the Showcase Cinema in Reading.
Beautifully clean throughout especially the toilets.
VERY comfortable seating - something like four feet of leg room, buttons in the armrests to control the recline and extending footrests.
Loud but not too loud, excellent quality sound.
> 6) Half an hour of " previews " before the show even begins
Aim to arrive 15 minutes after programme start?
> On top of the extremely poor quality of movies in general these days.
Personally I thoroughly enjoyed Juror #2 and the new Gladiator. Don't have to go to everything!
> I can't speak for everyone
> but I'm reallllllllllly tired of any / all of the following tropes:
> 1) Zombies
> 2) Super Heros ( How many retellings of the same GD story do we need ? Eg: Batman )
Agreed
> 3) Star Wars and Star Trek ( I'm Gen-X so this is saying something )
Actually I'd love to see the original Star Wars on the big screen again.
A
They Don't Understand Their Audience. (Score:4, Insightful)
> Theater chains are responding with enhanced experiences and loyalty programs to draw audiences back.
Demonstrating that they don't understand their audience. There are two things that work against movie theaters:
1. Price (Theaters need to lower their prices significantly.)
2. Convenience.
It is inconvenient for someone to go to the movies. It is far more convenient to rent that same movie from a streaming service for the same price, or less, than a single movie ticket and watch it in the comfort of your own home. Combine this with the convenience of just waiting for a month or three, for the movie to be released through other channels like streaming and possibly for cheap/free.
Movie theaters need to focus less on "experiences" and more on lower cost. I'm not paying $20 per seat to watch 15 minutes of ads and a mediocre at best movie when I can do that for free or cheap in the comfort of my own sofa.
Movie theaters also need to convince studios to not do secondary channel releases nearly as quickly. They need to make it so that the theater is the cheaper and/or more convenient choice.
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> Movie theaters also need to convince studios to not do secondary channel releases nearly as quickly.
Movie theaters need to just go away. Fixed scheduling is an anachronism for movies just like it is for TV, and secondary releases are bike-shedding this reality.
> [Movie theaters] need to make it so that the theater is the cheaper and/or more convenient choice.
This can never happen. The movie theater can never be the more convenient option, and it will never complete on price with streaming. Paying $75+ for tickets and concessions for the family to watch a single movie can never complete with (roughly speaking) $25/month and essentially free concessions to watch everything of interest.
And packing up the f
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Movie theaters take up a lot of space.
Even if they pay their royalties as a percent and drop the price in half. Are they really going to double the attendance?
I suspect the inconvenience is a bigger problem. Yes, once we get over that hurdle the prices are off-putting, but I suspect just the annoyance of getting there and back at a fixed time more than outweighs the better experience (if one accepts the premise that it's better).
Especially since it's competing with high definition 70 inch TVs now.
From what
Watching movies at home... (Score:2)
One thing the article really glosses over is the fact that home entertainment has really flourished, both in terms of technology and availability (streaming). Back when the best you could do was a small NTSC TV, combined with maybe renting a VHS/DVD, going to the movies was a very compelling experience. Now with large 4K TVs common and cheap, there are a lot of reasons why it makes more sense to just watch movies at home instead. And the theaters have a lot of reason to look inward also. Over-charging f
Of Course (Score:2)
The only reason to go to the movies was for the popcorn. And nowadays, microwave popcorn has gotten a million times better and movie popcorn is stale, flavorless, and expensive. Oh yeah, and many modern movies are terrible because they're made with the mindset that they'll be guaranteed hits if they spend enough money on flashy effects, regardless of how vapid the plot is.
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> The only reason to go to the movies was for the popcorn. And nowadays, microwave popcorn has gotten a million times better and movie popcorn is stale, flavorless, and expensive.
Microwave popcorn is still crap. The way to make good home theater popcorn at home is with a hot oil popper machine. The "secret" ingredients are refined coconut oil and Flavacol.
If you like to make your popcorn really unhealthy with movie theater buttery flavored topping, that's another thing you'll have to order online. The stuff sold in the grocery stores tastes nothing like what they serve at the cinema. It goes without saying, movie theaters don't buy their popcorn supplies from Whole Foods, so be
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I do popcorn in a pot with some oil, I never burn it because I always keep it moving, and then I add some butter (not that much, it's already been popped in fat) and salt. It's better than the movie popcorn IMO, though it doesn't have the nostalgia factor of butter flavored topping I guess.
I'd like a machine, but I wouldn't use it enough to justify how much space it consumes. Even a small one is too big. The pot is used for other things and it nests :)
Perfect Storm. (Score:2)
A lot of the movies coming to theaters these days are following last decade's trends, instead of exploring new ideas. Many of those movies have taken those trends, and directed them at increasingly niche audiences, instead of being designed and marketed toward the broader audiences that filmmakers usually go for. Those things make the movies themselves, less collectively palatable.
It doesn't end there, though. Twenty years ago, I could take my wife to see a matinee for $10. Now, I can't even buy one ticket
No time for that (Score:2)
Modern life has destroyed my attention span.
I rarely watch full-length movies any more. But if I do, I wait till I can borrow the DVD free from the library, put it in my computer and watch it sped up to at least 1.5X, and break it up into 2 or 3 sessions.
That would be me (Score:5, Insightful)
The thing is, since I am not into superhero movies, or other movies addressed to teenagers, and the movie experience sucks to high heaven, I am unlikely to go back to the movie theater any time soon.
Future of cinema (Score:4, Interesting)
I think the future of cinema is event programming.
Instead of focusing on the latest releases which have never been marketed, and no one has ever heard of, theatres need a way to provide a large back catalog.
Like on May 4th, showing all Star Wars on your screens.
Or small (private?) theatres rented to show your favorite Disney film for a birthday party.
Smart theatres could have a system where people can vote to see some old flick, and get notified when enough customers have pledged support.
More odd-ball stuff like the Taylor Swift concert could become the norm. Live performances simulcast to theatres across the country would be a good fit here.
Get creative providing quality programming. Like a theatre where you have a membership to go when you want, but you don't know what you're going to see; but they only show Oscar winners from the 70s and 80s. Date night surprise.
And of course 50% of theatres probably just have to fail to right size the market.
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Yes! I saw The Mummy (Brendan Fraser) this year when it went back to theaters. Bring back hits and you'll put butts in seats.
Essentially you are deciding to compete with the streaming services and will need to provide an experience worth that higher entrace price.
Give me high-end tech like IMAX, laser, 4DX, D-Box, calibrated audio. Give me an experience like Arclight who will have staff introduce a movie, have stick around a few minutes to ensure things are good, and are strict about talking or phone use. G
And yet.... (Score:2)
And yet, there are more movies than ever. Some movies are unequivocally better on the biggest screen you can find. If you live in a small apartment, a medium screen at neighborhood theater is also an excellent amenity. However, movies are movies. If more movies than ever are being made and more people than ever are being paid to make them, is it really a bid deal outside of nostalgia than movie theaters are niche industry? On that note is $8.5 billion in tickets sales really niche anyway? The overall indust
The cost drives many people away (Score:3)
There was a time when you had a mix of movies, from the big blockbusters, comedies, drama, you name it, and many times, people would just take a gamble on going to a movie they have never heard of before, just to pass the time. With the high price of going to a movie, combined with the lack of originality, people will either really like it, or they won't find it is worth the money, but more often than not, it is the later, and it's just a waste.
We also have the situation where if you enjoy movies, you can get a decent home environment. A 65 inch 4k TV with a surround sound audio system isn't really all that expensive as well. Then, you have the quality of movie theaters, where if they are not higher end(with better seating, great audio and visuals), then those may also have uncomfortable seats that haven't been replaced in well over a decade, but cost $15+?
For the big blockbuster movies, then sure, going to an IMAX Experience or full IMAX is worth it, but for others, what you can get at home for $1000-$2000 ends up being a better movie-watching experience.
So you want me to go to the cinema? (Score:1)
I would love to attend! I'll need a ticket, drink, and popcorn for $20 per person. Oh that's too little? That's fine, I'll wait 6 weeks for it to be available on streaming.
Theaters suck (Score:2)
In the past, they were required because of the tech of the time
Today, they are dinosaurs and need to die
Here's the theater experience...
Drive across town
Try to find a parking space, often paid
Wait in line for a ticket
Wait in line to pay way too much for crappy snacks
Try to find an acceptable seat
Suffer through endless commercials
Once the movie starts, there is no way to pause or rewind if you need to pee or miss an important part
The sound is mixed with effects too loud and the actors mumbling or whispering,
Why make good movies so LOUD? (Score:2)
Saw "Oppenheimer" a while ago. Great subject, but made the mistake of selecting an "IMAX" theater. WAY too loud. We sat near a set of speakers that were the size of Volkswagons, that just blasted us. And why would a movie about Oppenheimer need sound levels that would compete with a jet engine next to you? By the way, I saw "The Martian" a few years ago at an IMAX and it was a wonderful experience. So just cut the sound levels down please.
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You want to sit in the middle of an IMAX theater, just like any other theater, then you're not next to the speakers and you have the best view. Just don't go when a movie has just opened and you can pick a decent seat.
It IS the fashion to turn up the volume too much, though, and it is irritating. It's just not as irritating when you're not pretending you're on all the drugs at a show.
Why go out? (Score:2)
In my home theater, I can watch the movie when I want, with who I want, pause as needed, and not put up with ads and high snack prices. There's not really anything they can do to get me to go back - I don't mind waiting for the dvd...
Theaters are disgusting (Score:2)
Theater chains are responding with enhanced experiences and loyalty programs to draw audiences back.
Two of our local theaters closed. The one remaining one is disgusting. It's not maintained at all. The seats, floors, counters, and restrooms are all filthy and in disrepair. It's clear that the chains are unwilling or unable to afford to pay for adequate staff to maintain the facility. I'm not paying a hundred bucks for a night out to enjoy that "enhanced experience".
Everything is at home now: movies, work, fitness (Score:2)
Make our homes nicer and the outside world more expensive and everyone does everything at home now. Since the pandemic, nearly everyone does more from home now: work, home, movies, eating, etc. Casual movies have been in decline for a long time. TV and streaming offer a great experience. Theaters still suck, but they've also gotten really expensive. However, it's just impossible to compete with the convenience of video on demand. I can watch nearly any movie in existence, at whim, for less the price of
There's also "politics" (Score:2)
I stopped going to the movies when the MPAA lobbied congress for an abusive copyright law. Since then I've seen exactly 3 movies at a theater, and one of them only because I could verify that it wasn't approved by the MPAA. (And one of the others was a real disappointment. If not I might have started going again.)
Too expensive these days (Score:2)
The prices have gone through the roof... For a Sunday matinee with three children under 11 it cost over $50 for tickets yesterday. 3 drinks, 2 cups of water, popcorn, and a couple of snacks was another $60+.
I cannot really justify spending that much for a Sunday matinee except on special occasions now. The experience of being in the theater and being able to focus on the movie is wonderful. But, I can usually get the same movie for $10-15 on disk or through a service if I just wait a while, and I can
Have they not seen the ticket prices? (Score:2)
Who can affort to be regular moviegoer nowdays? Thats really financially irresponsible
Immersion is key (Score:2)
The 4DX and similar experiences can be worthwhile. Moving seats, wind and mist in your face, that sort of thing. But the theater has to offer something you can't get at home.
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> The 4DX and similar experiences can be worthwhile. Moving seats, wind and mist in your face, that sort of thing. But the theater has to offer something you can't get at home.
That might be enjoyable for a 5 minute theme park ride, but I'm not going to sit for two hours with my seat bouncing around in a simulated maelstrom. Heck, I'm already over the novelty of 3D. It's entertaining in short doses, but headache inducing after an hour or so.
Times change, move with them! (Score:2)
People, especially businesses people, need to stop living for the good old days, and accept that things have changed. A significant proportion of people now have a decent home viewing setup, and access to movies has become easier with broadband. Instead of lamenting about how we no longer see working horses on the streets, why the department stores have all closed down, accept these are no longer required. Start looking forward, not backward and find new ways to make a profit, not just keep complaining that
I'd go more often... (Score:2)
...if a night at the movies for two didn't cost close to $100 with a drink and snacks.
After years of getting screwed over at the theater I finally invested in a 70 inch TV.... now I can bring my dog and all my friends and family to a movie for the cost of streaming it.
Doubt I'll ever go back to the theaters.
unpopular opinion: this isn't a bad thing (Score:2)
If, evidently, people are perfectly happy NOT to spend the billion dollars that the theaters wish we would spend, I don't see why I should take the theater's side that something needs to change. I watch movies alone or with my family. It's far cheaper to watch them at home than nearly anywhere else. There's no reason to go to a theater for a movie anymore.
They should probably... (Score:5, Insightful)
...just make better movies, instead of churning out garbage.
Re:They should probably... (Score:5, Insightful)
Absolutely. A good start would be to start writing original works again as opposed to the endless sequels, reboots, and format shifting we're getting right now.
I cant even imagine a movie like the first Matrix movie ever being made today. An original script from a couple of relatively unknown directors? No way that would have been made today. Hollywood has become FAR too risk adverse.
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> I cant even imagine a movie like the first Matrix movie ever being made today. An original script from a couple of relatively unknown directors?.
You're gonna be really disappointed then to discover it's actually just a by-the-numbers Hero's Journey arc. It's still a good movie because it was an entertaining take on the familiar tale, with interesting characters and a fascinating post-apocalyptic sci-fi setting, but it was absolutely the typical safe bet type of story that Hollywood is most likely to greenlight.
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Why would one be disappointed?
There are basically no new story categories when it comes to condensing then down to 2 words. That doesn't mean the script was not an original script with no reference to other IP from A pair of essentially unknown directors. OPs point still stands.
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[1]There are only seven plots in storytelling [wikipedia.org]. All stories fit into one of them.
But there's a fundamental, qualitative difference between telling one of those seven stories all over again with new characters and circumstances, and telling the same story with the same characters in the same circumstances over and over and over and over and over and over.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven_Basic_Plots
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> Absolutely. A good start would be to start writing original works again as opposed to the endless sequels, reboots, and format shifting we're getting right now.
That's not really the problem - Hollywood's still making money.
The real reason is streaming - why see it in theatres when in 3-4 months, it'll be on your favourite streaming site? You're going to be paying $50 for the movie and a friend, or that $50 will pay for maybe half a year of a streaming service where that movie will be shown. Or a year, if yo
Re: They should probably... (Score:2)
Movies arenâ(TM)t doing badly. Cinemas are. The solution is probably to not charge so much for a ticket, and particularly not for snacks. If you canâ(TM)t sell all your seats, charge less.
Re: They should probably... (Score:5, Insightful)
Exactly this. It's not worth it (to me, anyway) to spend $70-100 just so my wife and I can go see a movie on a large screen (not to mention listening to the jerk behind us narrating the plot 10-15 seconds ahead of the movie itself).
But, really, lowering prices might still not solve the problem. I've got a nice 55" 4K television at home, complete with free snacks + drinks and a pause button in case I find myself in need of an urgent bathroom break right in the middle of a critical scene... it's hard for the theater to compete with that.
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Besides the cost of going to the cinema, there's also the hassle of actually having to go there. Since Covid caused all the ones nearest to me to go belly up, the closest one is now an approximately 20 minute drive. I'd rather just wait the month or so it takes for movies to hit streaming. Besides, there's plenty of other stuff to watch in the interim.
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Sort of a tangent, but... while I do think COVID drove the final nail into the coffins of a lot of those local theaters, most of them were already dying prior to that.
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This ^^^^^^^^^^ If I could have upvoted you instead, I would have.
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I think cinemas are struggling due to the relatively high cost of real estate.
They don't seem to be able to scale prices with that and retain audiences.
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The theater is making little to nothing from ticket sales, due to the split between the distributor, the sales agent, etc. If the film stays at the theater for months, the deal starts to flip and the theater starts to pull in cash from ticket sales, but generally, the theater can't cut ticket prices, and can't hope to make money on most movies even at high ticket prices.
So that leaves the expensive concessions: this is where the the theater makes 90% of its money. If they cut prices here, it's coming right
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There are more good movies than ever. It is just that most of them will never be on a theater screen.
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We'd all love better movies, but Hollywood has made plenty of garbage since the very early days. The main problem today is that most people don't want to make the trip to the movie theater for the "smaller" movies like romcoms when they have a 70 inch TV at home and have 1,001 options at their fingertips. The one thing that still gets people out of their houses are the big Blockbusters with a lot of explosions that look/sound cool on a movie theater screen.
Back in the day, you had people who would just go t
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...& maybe try building cinemas where someone might casually come across one instead of giant warehouse/hangar cineplex thingumies miles away from civilisation?
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Yes, this. Start cranking 80s -tier fantasy films. People want a villain that is beaten and stays beaten, with no redeeming qualities. Something like Beastmaster, Krull, or something that isn't the same old reboot/remake.
Why bother going to a theater, when most movies are essentially serials anyway? Bring back some original IP. Or at the least, just bring in European or Asian films for an audience. If a theater had anime, they would fill the seats.
Nobody tries to make crap (Score:2)
Making something creative is hard. Especially with the standards modern audiences have.
Yeah if they could churn out absolutely extraordinary once in a lifetime movies non-stop they could probably make more money. If anyone doing anything could do it better than no shit they could make more money.
The bigger problem is they are probably pricing themselves out of the market. Tickets are approaching $20 a pop to say nothing of the cost of snacks. And the home video market dying isn't helping either. St
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You think movie quality was better in the past because you don't remember all the garbage that came out in each era. It's not really a quality issue as a cost issue.
Most families have large screen tvs and streaming services. Why spend a minimum of $60 for a family of 4 (or up to $100 if everyone wants a snack) to go see it in a theater with the sound cranked up way to high and have to deal with others while one could wait a few months and rent it for $10-$20 and watch it a few times from the comfort of