Salon.com: It’s a lonely life, being a superfan of Judd Apatow’s 2015 romantic comedy, “Trainwreck.” When the film, starring and written by Amy Schumer, opened in July of that year, it was lauded by critics and audiences as a refreshing take on a well-tread genre. “Trainwreck” even overperformed at the box office, raking in cash well beyond initial estimates.
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The streaming wars! It’s crazy to think how much has changed for the film industry in the past decade. From COVID-19, to seemingly every popular company having their own streaming service, it’s undeniable that the future of film IS streaming. Not will be, not was in the past, but IS. Though this article brings up the fact that movies such as Oppenheimer, Barbie, and most recently the Spider-Verse movies, have persevered and been massive in-theatre hits, other movies like Kpop Demon Hunters have met just as high viewership (if not more) through straight release to streaming. However, another incredibly valid point that this article brings up is the gateway to entry in a financial aspect to modern movie theaters. Since the invention of movie theaters, prices have continually risen to meet industry demand. However, this has reflected onto the customers paying to see movies in theaters, and with our economy and work culture becoming more and more demanding, it just isn’t worth it for the average American consumer to take time and money out of their days to see a movie on the big screen when they know it will come out on streaming a few months afterwards. That sad fact is the reality in which we live in today, and though streaming services have given the options to consumers to see all kinds of movies on a relatively cheaper level, even that has been victim to premium subscriptions, advertisements and other incentives which often force customers to pay more.
I think that everyone knows that movie theaters and the amount that people go out to see movies has declined steadily since the pandemic, as streaming services really cemented their ground as the most popular way to get movies, and some of the formative movie studios that make so much of the new entertainment content that have no reason to release the movie services. Why do that when they can keep all of their revenue in house? I am not a fan of it, as I love going to see movies and try to catch them whenever I can, but I also recognize that they’ve become so expensive. And I know that in a few weeks a movie that I’ve never heard of, and am not sure if I will enjoy, instead of spending the 20-40 dollars to see it, I’ll wait a few weeks for it to come out on streaming. Though, nothing can truly beat the feeling, to quote Nicole Kidman, “as the lights begin to dim” (which always frustrated me that they didn’t time dining the lights with that line). I especially love the little family movie theater near my apartment that gives student discounts and plays new films that I can pop into on the weekend.
I have conflicting feelings towards movie theatres. I like them, and I agree that seeing a movie in a theatre is completely different than seeing a movie in your living room, but it’s SO expensive. However I usually sneak in food and drinks so I guess I usually get over the price of the ticket. I think it is sad that movie theatres, like malls and third spaces, are dying out. Streaming services such as Disney + have killed the urge to see certain movies in theatres when you know it’s coming to a streaming service you already own in a couple weeks after being in theatres. I like going in person because you watch the movie with no distractions (unless you’re the kind of wet rat to pull out your bright phone and start texting mid-show). I like watching movies with other people but find it frustrating when everyone is doing their own thing in addition to watching and you end up not appreciating the details and overall experience crafted.
Honestly, this article hit me because I’ve definitely noticed how empty movie theaters feel compared to before. Ive never been a huge moive theater goer but especially recently I haven't really gone, id rather stay home and watch from my bed. The part about the Trainwreck re-release flopping was kind of funny but also sad... it shows that just putting an old movie back on the big screen isn’t enough to get people out of the house which means the issue isnt the movies its just that we've grown into new technology, which i guess i just assumed its cause the movies suck now. I like that theaters are trying new stuff, like adding comfy seats, food, and drinks, but it feels like they’re kind of throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. I do think movie theaters are something that should stay though because going to the movies is kinda the first step to getting non theater goers to see theater even if its just a movie, its one step closer.
Honestly this has been a topic I myself have been very invested in as a huge fan of movie theaters. Some of the most fun I had throughout high school was going to the movies with friends. It was often disappointing when we would walk in and barely anyone would be there. This especially hit hard for me whenever I would go to a movie theater I frequented as a kid with my parents. I remember going there to see “The Wild Robot” with my mom a few months ago, and the theater was practically empty except for like two other groups of people. Thinking back to when you would have to wait an hour in line to get beverages in that theater, it made me really sad. It's also disappointing and saddening when it happens in other theaters I frequent, as I’m from New York City. To see a movie theater in the dead center of Times Square, near downright empty, is extremely disheartening. Luckily, in recent times, I have noticed that occasionally it's actually a little tougher for me and my full group of friends to get good seats just by walking in. Crowds for certain movies have begun to pick up, and that makes me super happy! I just hope that its enough to keep these theaters open.
Coleman Spilde touches on a point that is really important as we continue to see beloved movie theaters shutting their doors: studios do not want to take the risk of funding films that they cannot predict the profit of. Because of this, they focus on reruns and sequels to fill their pockets, while limiting the theater audience and slowly dissengaging the general public from the movie theater. Today, it seems that going to the movie theater is never someone’s first thought of what to do with an afternoon, and corporations like Netflix are capitalizing on this. The Exton Mall in Pennsylvania, which has been almost entirely abandoned for a few years now except for the two stores still operating, has been reported to be turned into a Netflix House. This essentially means that Netflix will be creating its own version of a movie theater that only plays Netflix releases. If this goes their way, Netflix will have expanded its entertainment monopoly into the physical media space, cutting off the local theaters from a profit.
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