My refrigerator is full. I have a fairly large TV and subscribe to a couple of streaming channels. So, why do I still go to movie theaters almost every weekend?
I’m asked this question more often than you might think. “Why do you go to the movies?”
Two reasons- I enjoy seeing the latest movie releases and I love seeing them on obscenely large screens surrounded by bold sound.
But make no mistake… there should be far more than two reasons to go to the movies! I say this because I feel many theaters don’t do much to create an inviting destination and experience for patrons. Too many theaters do the bare minimum – they show movies.
What if you were invited to a party and you arrived to discover there was no music or entertainment? They had a location, but there’s more to a party than providing a room, right? So, how do movie theaters get away with such paltry standards?
Things I’d like to see change at my local theater
You’d think food would be a big draw, but I’ll only splurge on popcorn now and then. I’ve never been interested in a full meal or alcohol, now offered in many theaters. The issue for me is the price. Much of the food, be it snacks or meals, is way too expensive. Additionally, I don’t want to eat a full meal in the dark. I’ll eat popcorn in the dark, but a full meal with minimal lighting isn’t an enjoyable way to eat.
But it’s not just the food pricing; movie tickets themselves have gone from being an affordable night out to a fairly large expense. Imagine if you were taking your family of five to the movies and everyone wanted snacks and drinks. That could easily exceed $150 for a 90-minute movie. I usually go to matinees for a lower ticket price, and I don’t show up hungry.
In the last few years, movie-goers have lost touch with basic etiquette. Theaters display their rules on-screen… No texting. No phones. No talking, etc. But they rarely enforce any of this unless you go out to the lobby and complain. Maybe while I’m out there, I’ll be tempted to spend another $20 on popcorn and soda.
Larger multiplex theaters often have 10 to 15 screens. That’s a lot to fill these days. Some owners are getting creative with the excess space, but I’d love to see more classic movie offerings. More music concert films! How about a double feature? Two action films? Two horror films? I’d go to see a movie followed by its sequel.
Netflix’s K-pop Demon Hunters did very well in theaters even though it was a very limited release. Taylor Swift’s Eras tour film was a hit. I’ve seen a few Fathom special releases that were a blast! Theaters need to expand their offerings beyond traditional Hollywood fare.
Regal has offered mystery horror movie nights where you don’t know the movie’s title until you’re seated and the movie starts. I’ve seen several of those. They’re lots of fun and make the movie experience quite unique. Hollywood isn’t going to save movie theaters. Theater owners are going to have to think outside the box to entice more movie fans.
Lure us from our homes
Even though many of us prefer watching movies at home, there can be a feeling of comradery at the local theater among a group of strangers seeing the latest blockbuster or a new horror release. The movies we see in theaters can reveal commonalities among us and bring us together for mutual adoration of a franchise, genre or eagerly anticipated film. It adds a cool dimension when we become a cohesive group all wanting to see a story revealed as only movies can.
Most of my favorite movies are shelved at home awaiting their turn in my DVD player. I love watching movies at home. It’s convenient in so many ways but also lacks the out-on-the-town vibe of going to the local cineplex. Seldom does a night pass by without watching a movie at home, but when the weekend rolls around, I’m eager to check out the latest release on a huge screen.
It wouldn’t take much for me to also go to the local theater on a weekday evening, but the cost, experience and variety isn’t there.
By CapeCod.com staff
