Movie theaters are dying...

Last night I hit up the theaters, started with some shows over in Europe and then headed over to the Broadway Theater. Honestly? The lineup was pathetic. It felt like every single thing was just some local production (like someone just picking up a camera and rolling...), while everything else was total garbage. And don't even get me started on what tickets cost these days...

Then today I’m reading this: . Man, I’d be out at the movies all the time, catching just about anything, if the prices weren't such a slap in the face. If I could snag a ticket for $3.25 instead of what they want now, I’d be there every week. I wouldn't bother messing around with those cheap streaming services either, because let's face it, I never watch the same movie twice anyway. Once I see it, I delete it or pass it along.

The way things are going—especially with them building some massive mega-plex in New York City—most of these places are just going to tank. Prices aren't budging, and nobody is going to show up. Plus, the movies themselves just seem "worse" because nothing feels original or fresh anymore. We're looking at dark days ahead for the cinema industry...

That’s the truth of it, though one shouldn't look for technical explanations. Instead, the reasons lie within the current trends of modern Western society.

Quite simply, movie theaters have lost that sociological and cultural weight they once carried.

Consider why, for instance, an AMC Theatres in New York City might still be holding its own: it’s because seeing a film there isn't actually the main event. The primary goal is being seen and mingling with a more elite crowd; the movie itself is merely a pretext.

Add to that the fact that new releases are now so much easier—and cheaper—for most people to access through alternative media, whether legal or otherwise, and you arrive at the exact situation we find ourselves in today.

I honestly love hitting up AMC Theatres or catching a flick on Broadway because the tech is just miles ahead of the other spots. Every movie hits harder when you actually see it in a real theater. They seriously need to drop ticket prices down to about $6.75.

But look, the real issue is there hasn't been anything worth watching for the last couple of months. Not even on streaming services. I haven't noticed a drought like this in ten years. I'll walk into a rental shop and end up leaving with some old classic because all the new stuff is total garbage.

nimblemarlin17 said:I genuinely enjoy heading to an AMC Theatres or a theater on Broadway because their technical setups are superior to other cinemas; honestly, any movie feels better when watched on a big screen. They really ought to drop ticket prices down to about $6.75.

The issue, however—and this is my observation—is that there hasn't been anything worth watching for the last two or three months. It isn't just the theaters; nothing good is hitting the streaming services either. I haven't noticed a drought like this in ten years. I walk into a digital storefront and end up walking out with some old classic because all the new releases are absolute garbage.

I actually first noticed this trend about five years ago 🙂

I don't bother with streaming services anymore. As for the cinema, I might go occasionally if I'm already out on the town, but I don't watch TV. I only sit down for a movie if the hype, the recommendations, or the subject matter is truly intriguing enough to grab my attention...

but then I find myself unable to access the older films I actually want to see...

I feel you’re perhaps a few years too late to be bringing up this particular topic or critique, wouldn't you agree?

The reality was quite different back before AMC Theatres arrived on the scene.
Then, this massive multiplex showed up and completely revolutionized the way Americans experience going to the movies!

While this new multiplex comes with a price tag that feels a bit steep, don't we really have to consider that it will be the sole cinema in the new New York City area—honestly, practically the only major entertainment hub in that entire part of town?

Furthermore, my dear Alexander Hill2, how can you possibly jump to such a universal conclusion that cinemas are dying just because you personally didn't find anything appealing in the lineup one single evening?
"There was absolutely nothing," he claims. Well, "nothing" according to your specific taste and your own personal judgment! If you were to ask me, I actually find the current cinema programming to be quite impressive. There is truly enough variety to satisfy both the mainstream enthusiasts and those who prefer more indie, non-mainstream fare.

The core issue is that people just aren't heading to the movie theater anymore, at least not with any regularity. There was a time when a good film would pack houses for weeks on end. Nowadays, you might see crowds stay for a day or two if it's something massive like Smith's, Potter, or Lord of the Rings, but that's about it.
People have become far too accustomed to piracy, DivX, and digital rips; plus, there's this growing trend of avoiding human contact as technology advances—even if we don't like to admit it.

Granted, most movies coming out lately are total garbage, but that's a poor excuse. Lately, theaters have been screening titles you wouldn't even find in a video rental shop years ago—it's just that those high-quality gems never really drew the masses to begin with.

As for me, I’d much rather catch a movie in a theater (whether it's a masterpiece or just mediocre) than watch it at home. The cinema experience is incomparable to watching something in your living room—unless, of course, you have a home theater setup like Oprah; basically a private cinema for a hundred people right in your own house.

Watching a movie at home on a DVD player or through some 5.1 headphones is nothing compared to the cinema experience. I never even bothered downloading DivX files for movies, only ever used them for series. Honestly, I don't get people who insist on watching new releases on a computer just because they’re too cheap to drop $8.25 on a theater ticket.

nimblemarlin17 said:Watching a movie at home on a DVD player or through some computer setup with 5.1 headphones is basically naked compared to the theater experience. I never even bothered downloading DivX files for movies—only for TV shows. Honestly, I don't get people who insist on watching new releases on a laptop just because they're too cheap to drop $8.25 at the cinema.

It’s pretty straightforward, really. I’m just a college student living off whatever allowance my parents send me every month—no side hustles, no extra cash.
It’s not like I’m too broke to hit the theater once or twice, but I’ve got much smarter things to spend my money on. I mean, an AMC Theatres ticket alone is $9.75 and the cheapest popcorn you can find is $4.00... etc. It all adds up to being way too expensive, so for me, it makes more sense to just grab something to watch on my PC since it costs me next to nothing.

Sure, I’m not exactly obsessed with those massive blockbusters, but my heart still warms up when I know there's a Godard marathon playing at some indie spot for practically zero dollars—and hey, I wouldn't even mind paying full price for that—or some weird midnight screenings for maybe 10/$5.00 (seriously, was that even real? lol), etc... etc...

At the end of the day, it all boils down to the money. I don't get why they don't just lower the prices to $3.25, just to start with,...

Look, I don't go every single day, but whenever there's a movie that actually catches my eye, I'm hitting the theater. Especially if it's one of those Socialist Party flicks or an action movie.

I don't mind dropping $25 $10 on a movie ticket. I live for the big screen experience, so I'm hitting the theater at least once every three weeks. Sure, I'd much rather the price be $3.25, but let’s be real—that’s not happening. I've got a different issue entirely. Personally, I prefer catching a flick in Europe, or maybe somewhere like San Francisco or along the coast, but filmmakers just aren't investing in theaters anymore. The programming keeps getting worse and worse. Honestly, I feel like Washington, D.C. and all of Europe are going to be sold off soon. What am I left with? AMC Theatres... and the vibe there is just off.

You've got Broadway. Did everyone just collectively decide to forget it exists?

Honestly, they're just mediocre at best... basically a mall cinema experience.

nimblemarlin17 said:Watching a movie at home on a DVD player or through some 5.1 headphones on a PC just doesn't compare to the theater experience. I guess I never even bothered downloading DivX files for movies, just for TV shows. I don't really get people who insist on watching new releases on a computer because they're too cheap to spend $8.25 on a ticket.

🙏

Everyone I know talks about binge-watching everything at home... but honestly, nothing beats going to the cinema. Even in a place like San Francisco where there aren't any AMC Theatres nearby, we still have those two old-school theaters, and it’s always nice to actually go out and catch a movie.

Perhaps the ticket price feels a bit steep for our current budgets, but let’s be honest: the immersive experience is leagues beyond just staying home to watch a DVD, isn't it? And for heaven's sake, please refrain from buying popcorn; you came here to actually watch the movie, not to sit there munching and rustling loudly in the theater, needlessly irritating everyone else who actually showed up to enjoy the film in peace.

The issue with people actually showing up to theaters—and I don't just mean here in America, but everywhere globally—is definitely real, and honestly, one of the biggest culprits is Hollywood.
Everyone seems pretty fed up with the typical Hollywood formula by now... you know, those recycled plots, the forced happy endings, the perfect faces, the polished sets, all those endless explosions and over-the-top action sequences... it gets old.
Even the big players have started to realize it, and we’re looking at some massive shifts coming to the major studios soon. Things have to change, because the current way of doing things just isn't sustainable anymore. We need to get back to making actual, quality movies.
For me personally, that's the number one reason why I don't hit the cinema more often... there's just a lack of good films!
I usually make it to the theater maybe 10 to 20 times a year, but I’d go way more frequently if there was actually something worth watching... for instance, last week there was this international film festival running, and I caught three absolutely incredible movies.

You guys living in (mega😁)huge cities have such cute little problems compared to mine—or anyone else's living somewhere where there isn't a single theater within a 31 miles radius. Like, oh no, what a tragedy if you have to travel just one bus stop further, or if the color of the seats at the local cinema doesn't match your aesthetic (total bad vibes🙄).
A long time ago (okay, fine, maybe 4-5 years ago), we actually had a theater too, just like many other towns with about 10-15k people. But now? Theaters are dying off even in places like Washington, D.C. If you ask me, the big issue is all this tech advancement that "smaller" theaters just couldn't keep up with.
So, point number one: whoever could shell out, I don't know, tens of thousands of dollars for 5.1 surround sound—basically a full theater overhaul—that’s the person who survived.
Point number two: obviously, there's digital piracy, which has also taken a massive toll on movie houses.
All in all, running a theater just doesn't make sense financially anymore.
And as for watching movies (especially sci-fi or action flicks) sitting in front of a monitor with two crappy desktop speakers instead of being in a real theater🙂
I mean, look, I can't just pop into a theater whenever the mood strikes (even though I really, really wish I could), and on the flip side, I can usually snag a digital copy before it even hits our local screens. Still, I find myself waiting for the Blu-ray release just so I can get some decent quality and enjoy the movie in my makeshift "home theater."
My official proposal: everyone get back to the theaters, and death to piracy!👋 🙂

😁

You can snag tickets at the cinema right by the Mississippi (the local college dorm area) for just $3.25. 🙂

Regarding all this talk about cinemas shutting down... honestly, if they aren't bringing in the cash, how on earth are they supposed to maintain the buildings, let alone everything else?

Personally, when I'm in a massive rush, I don't even bother checking out other theaters—I head straight to the AMC Theatres website because I know for a fact they'll have something that actually fits my schedule. They've got plenty of showtimes, a solid variety of movies, and the auditoriums (especially number 11 🙂) are actually pretty decent.

Everything in San Diego went downhill a long time ago.

There’s this one theater where the sound system is even worse than the line I waited in just to drop $400. Between the terrible picture quality and those incredibly uncomfortable seats...

If I actually want to watch a movie properly, I have to drive all the way to San Francisco.

It's honestly pathetic.

Man, I remember back in the day in San Diego, there used to be like four different theaters just hanging around, but that was before everything got cluttered up with those massive video rental chains and all this other junk. I honestly couldn't tell you what a ticket costs back home, but here in the States, you can snag one for maybe 9 bucks—actually, probably even less if you're smart enough to catch a matinee on a Sunday afternoon. Plus, they're pumping out so many premieres lately, even if half of them turn out to be total garbage, at least they usually have some decent actors attached to the projects. Look, the theater is practically right in my backyard, but honestly, I just don't feel like making the trek today; maybe I'll drag myself over there tomorrow instead.

There used to be three movie theaters in a city like Savannah, but now there isn't a single one left 👎