Why movie theaters are dying

[bill718]

It's not just because of big screen TVs. I stopped going to my local movie theatre 5 years ago. Here are the reasons:

1. $10 - $20 tickets
2. Too many cartoon movies
3. Too many computer-generated special effects
4. Not many movies with real people, doing real things.
5. $12 buttered popcorn - and it's not even real butter.
6. People trying to sign you up for rewards programs - that don't reward you much at all!
7. Pushy upsells. "Are you sure you don't want to include (fill in the blank) with that?
8. Too much radical inclusion. i.e. there were no black people in 12th century England, but - - If you don't put a few in there, you're a racist!
9. Ticket sellers who want you to download the app. (I'd need a phone with a 12-foot screen to fit every app I was told to get!)

For the price of 1 ticket, I can pick out what I want, buy the DVD, spend $3 on popcorn and drinks, watch at home (when I'm ready) and skip the theatre B.S.

 

[Blaster]

Too many WOKE movies.

 

[Zincwarrior]

It's not just because of big screen TVs. I stopped going to my local movie theatre 5 years ago. Here are the reasons:

1. $10 - $20 tickets
2. Too many cartoon movies
3. Too many computer-generated special effects
4. Not many movies with real people, doing real things.
5. $12 buttered popcorn - and it's not even real butter.
6. People trying to sign you up for rewards programs - that don't reward you much at all!
7. Pushy upsells. "Are you sure you don't want to include (fill in the blank) with that?
8. Too much radical inclusion. i.e. there were no black people in 12th century England, but - - If you don't put a few in there, you're a racist!
9. Ticket sellers who want you to download the app. (I'd need a phone with a 12-foot screen to fit every app I was told to get!)

For the price of 1 ticket, I can pick out what I want, buy the DVD, spend $3 on popcorn and drinks, watch at home (when I'm ready) and skip the theatre B.S.

Calm down Grandpa. You're spilling your gruel.

 

[rightwinger]

They make you sit through 20 minutes of coming attractions.
Used to be 10 minutes and my wife and I would see three or four we would like to see.

Now I don’t see any that interest me.
When we got married, we used to go to the 99 cent movie theater almost every week. Now, maybe two or three a year

 

[TNHarley]

I always saw the problem as ticket and concession prices. Also, now, people can watch new releases from home.

 

[Mashmont]

It's not just because of big screen TVs. I stopped going to my local movie theatre 5 years ago. Here are the reasons:

1. $10 - $20 tickets
2. Too many cartoon movies
3. Too many computer-generated special effects
4. Not many movies with real people, doing real things.
5. $12 buttered popcorn - and it's not even real butter.
6. People trying to sign you up for rewards programs - that don't reward you much at all!
7. Pushy upsells. "Are you sure you don't want to include (fill in the blank) with that?
8. Too much radical inclusion. i.e. there were no black people in 12th century England, but - - If you don't put a few in there, you're a racist!
9. Ticket sellers who want you to download the app. (I'd need a phone with a 12-foot screen to fit every app I was told to get!)

For the price of 1 ticket, I can pick out what I want, buy the DVD, spend $3 on popcorn and drinks, watch at home (when I'm ready) and skip the theatre B.S.

My problem is the I-max stuff. I get extremely car sick watching it. All the animated stuff is that way. I attend with people who like animated, by the way.

 

[rightwinger]

I always saw the problem as ticket and concession prices. Also, now, people can watch new releases from home.

When TV came out, they said that would be the death of the movie industry.
Then cable TV, VCRs, Flat screen TVs then streaming.

What always saved the theaters was it was an affordable night out for a couple or a family.

Dinner and a movie was an affordable date.

We used to do dinner and a movie for $40-$50
Now, dinner alone is over $100 and the movie and popcorn is over $50

 

[1srelluc]

I just don't want to be around a bunch of people making noise and sit in a seat that's been farted on a thousand times.....Make drive-ins great again....I'll sit in my own farts.

 

[Zincwarrior]

We used to do dinner and a movie for $40-$50
Now, dinner alone is over $100 and the movie and popcorn is over $50

This is true. Inflation is brutal.

 

[BothWings]

Too many WOKE movies.

OR....they are ridiculously over-the-top exaggeratedly, shockingly violent/cruel/sick to the point of not even being realistic anymore, just ridiculous.

And historical movies with hip-hop soundtracks that don't fit the time or place at all.

 

[TNHarley]

shockingly violent/cruel/sick

You have my attention.

 

[rightwinger]

OR....they are ridiculously over-the-top exaggeratedly, shockingly violent/cruel/sick to the point of not even being realistic anymore, just ridiculous.

And historical movies with hip-hop soundtracks that don't fit the time or place at all.

What has been bothering me is many are too dark. To the point you can barely see the actors.
Also the sound fluctuates.
You strain to hear the dialogue then the action scenes blow you out of your seat

 

[sealybobo]

Too many WOKE movies.

Not a lot of good conservative directors and producers. I thought Tarantino would be a con but not even he is. But like you, he's worried about WOKE.

• 2024 Election: In August 2024, Tarantino expressed support for Kamala Harris, telling Bill Maher he would vote for her regardless, but urged her to avoid sit-down press interviews to focus on "winning" in a high-stakes "war mode" election environment.
• Israel Solidarity: Tarantino, who married Israeli singer Daniella Pick in 2018, has moved with his family to Israel. He has expressed deep commitment to the country, calling it his permanent home. Following the October 7, 2023, attack, he visited Israeli military bases to boost the morale of IDF soldiers.
• "Woke" Hollywood: In 2022, Tarantino expressed concern over ideological correctness influencing modern filmmaking, suggesting that the drive for ideological conformity can stifle artistic creativity.
• Support for Hillary Clinton: In 2015, he expressed strong opposition to Donald Trump and support for Hillary Clinton, criticizing the "ridiculous" nature of Trump's comments at the time.

 

[Zincwarrior]

What has been bothering me is many are too dark. To the point you can barely see the actors.
Also the sound fluctuates.
You strain to hear the dialogue then the action scenes blow you out of your seat

That just means you are getting old. Welcome to the club!

 

[sealybobo]

Calm down Grandpa. You're spilling your gruel.

You make a good point. My dad CAN NOT watch a movie. I told him there is a Tom Hanks movie (Otto) that is almost exactly about him. He lost his wife and he wants to kill himself so he can go be with her. And then he meets this woman and her family who change his life. Suddenly he has reasons to live. It would be so good for my dad to watch this movie but he REFUSES. Not because of the theme, he just can't get himself to sit and watch and pay attention for 2 hours. He's 81 now.

It is common for some people in their 70s and beyond to struggle with watching full-length movies, often due to declining cognitive abilities, hearing loss, or reduced attention spans. Complex modern plots can cause fatigue or frustration, leading many to prefer familiar, shorter, or less challenging content.

 

[1srelluc]

That just means you are getting old. Welcome to the club!

No shit, I prefer to use CC on what I watch. But only half is due to age, the rest is actors talk like they have a mouth full of marbles.

There was a time when the studios would make their actors attend diction classes.

Ever notice that the diction is such in the older movies that you don't really need CC?

Diction Classes in Old Hollywood

During the Golden Age of Hollywood (roughly the 1920s–1960s), studios often required new actors to attend diction classes as part of their training before being cast in major roles. This was a deliberate part of the Star System, where studios not only signed actors to long-term contracts but also shaped their public image and on-screen presence Classic Hollywood Central+1.

Why Diction Classes Were Common​

• Clarity and Professionalism: In an era when many actors had limited formal training, studios wanted performers to speak clearly, enunciate well, and avoid distracting speech patterns. This was especially important for dialogue-heavy films and for maintaining a polished, professional image.

 

[DGS49]

When there is a movie that looks promising, I go to a "senior" matinee, which is generally $7-8. Theater is 80% empty. I never buy eats, just watch the film. Seats are comfy - much better than when I was growing up. Sound is great. Picture is great.

My only problem is having to sit through 20 minutes of ads for coming movies. Although I have to admit that I'm occasionally inspired to come see one of them.

It's definitely a better experience than watching the same film from my couch.

 

[rightwinger]

You make a good point. My dad CAN NOT watch a movie. I told him there is a Tom Hanks movie (Otto) that is almost exactly about him. He lost his wife and he wants to kill himself so he can go be with her. And then he meets this woman and her family who change his life. Suddenly he has reasons to live. It would be so good for my dad to watch this movie but he REFUSES. Not because of the theme, he just can't get himself to sit and watch and pay attention for 2 hours. He's 81 now.

It is common for some people in their 70s and beyond to struggle with watching full-length movies, often due to declining cognitive abilities, hearing loss, or reduced attention spans. Complex modern plots can cause fatigue or frustration, leading many to prefer familiar, shorter, or less challenging content.

That is why streaming is so good. You watch at your convenience.
Get distracted after 30 minutes, turn it off and come back tomorrow.

 

[Dogmaphobe]

I would add one more factor. The difference in quality between watching a movie on the big screen and at home has lessened over the years as televisions are bigger than they used to be and can be tricked out with better speaker systems.

 

[sealybobo]

That is why streaming is so good. You watch at your convenience.
Get distracted after 30 minutes, turn it off and come back tomorrow.

I was watching Project Hail Mary in the theater. I fell asleep. Next thing I know I wake up and he's hanging out with a rock alien. I freakin missed the most important part! Where did this alien come from? F ME!!! Now I have to watch it again when it comes out on cable tv.