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I had an idea while at a theater a while ago. Why not host live music acts using the theater sound system as the PA? It would require investing in mix console, ethernet snake, and a sound tech to do the FOH mix. But if it draws in an audience it would pay for itself. I personally would greatly enjoy music shows with no alcohol ("drunk & stupid is no way to go through life, son")
My feeling is that people will still go to the theaters coz of surround sound, watching them on big screen and finally to watch new movie releases with loved ones.
Movie theatres have been shutting down at some pace or another since before I was born. There is more competition for entertainment dollars every year since Shakespeare's day.
Still, some movie theatres are innovating and keeping ahead of the trends. I recently went to an Alamo draft House for the first time last week. Spent quite a bit because they bring food and beer to your seat.
A movie theater no longer sells access to movies, it sells an experience centred around watching a movie. Theatres that understand this will stick around.
Movie theatres have been shutting down at some pace or another since before I was born. There is more competition for entertainment dollars every year since Shakespeare's day.
Still, some movie theatres are innovating and keeping ahead of the trends. I recently went to an Alamo draft House for the first time last week. Spent quite a bit because they bring food and beer to your seat.
A movie theater no longer sells access to movies, it sells an experience centred around watching a movie. Theatres that understand this will stick around.
I think I agree with this. The standalone theaters closed down or at least closing down (where I live ie in Malaysia) but the mall theaters imo are still thriving.
I think it was about 11 years ago, we went to the local theater, and sat there before the start of the movie - for what seemed like good 10 minutes - and got showered by advertisements.
We both got up, requested a refund from the manager, and have never been back to a theater again.
"Subliminal Messaging" was coined by James Vicary's. His studies were largely forgettable, save for one experiment he conducted at a Fort Lee, New Jersey movie theater during the summer of 1957.
Vicary flashed a couple of different messages on the screen every five seconds. The messages each displayed for only 1/3000th of a second at a time, far below the viewers' threshold of conscious perceptibility. The result of displaying these imperceptible suggestions — "Drink Coca-Cola" and "Hungry? Eat Popcorn" — was an amazing 18.1% increase in Coca-Cola sales, and a whopping 57.8% jump in popcorn purchases.
Or so goes the legend that has retained its potency for more than forty years, which includes the belief the Federal Communications Commission banned "subliminal advertising" from radio and television airwaves in 1974, despite that fact that no studies had shown it to be effective… Eventually Vicary confessed that he had falsified the data from his first experiments, and some critics have since expressed doubts that he actually conducted his infamous Fort Lee experiment at all. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/subliminal-advertising/
Diminishing market. Will dwindle until small but artsy theaters will remain and maybe even make a relative minor comeback like vinyl. Would not buy their stock.
Then arrive 10 mins after the start time or wait outside the theatre until you hear they've finished... everyone knows there are 10 - 15 mins of ad's before the movie starts.
I think some of the smaller art deco type cinemas still do well, offering in addition to popular movies international films and lesser known titles.
The massive IMAX cinemas with 3D and DTS:X still do well too, as they offer a unique viewing experience compared to the telly at home and more premium seating options with food service etc.
The standard cinemas have definitely suffered though.
My dad (and mom) grew-up before TV and he and his brother used to go to the movies every Saturday! That blew my mind because a movie was a rare treat when I was a kid. I think he said a matinee cost a dime. They had serials so they HAD to come back... "Is Zoro doomed? Find out next week!"
When the adults went to the movies that had news reels, which we've all probably seen in documentaries.
I had an idea while at a theater a while ago. Why not host live music acts using the theater sound system as the PA?
Some theaters used to have stages. I'm pretty sure the one I went to as a kid had a stage but I never saw a live performances. Then sometime in the 70's there was a small-old theater in a nearby town that normally showed classic movies. It had a stage and I saw a band perform there. As far as I know it was unusual. I don't think they were having concerts every week.
Honestly, it’s far too expensive just to see a movie a few months before it hits streaming platforms.
I don’t feel like I’m missing out -I prefer the comfort of watching from the sofa, where I can control the volume and pause whenever someone needs a bathroom break.
A single trip to the cinema for the four of us costs about as much as a whole year of Disney+.
My dad (and mom) grew-up before TV and he and his brother used to go to the movies every Saturday! That blew my mind because a movie was a rare treat when I was a kid.
Likewise. We'd go for my birthday and my brother's birthday - so twice a year. Saw most of the Roger Moore Bond films at the cinema.
Occasionally we'd go to a matinee with an older cousin (probably she'd be about 14 but in those days it was considered acceptable to leave a 14 year old in charge of the youngsters) in the school holidays. That would usually be a Disney film plus a second feature.
Partly due, I suppose, to Netflix and so forth, but also the problem to my mind is that they just aren't making good films any more. A month or so ago I had a check to see what was showing locally. Ten films, none of which interested me in the slightest.
Super-heroes, boring art films, and moronic rom-coms.
I wouldn't bother watching them if they came on TV let alone travel and pay a premium.
I can't imagine it ever going back to the days when we queued around the block for hours to see Star Wars and Grease.
I am sorry for the movie industry as it was my work during several years and I am living in LA.
I used to go to the movie theater, but no more.
Yesterday I went to one of the main shopping center and all advertising was about a movie with dragons!
There is no more creativity and the cash income for the studios is gone: no more China money, no more overseas production as the Genius in the White House has decided to tax every non US production.
Usual production pipeline was Australia or Canada or England+central Europe.
All the business model is gone.
Crackling bags
People talking to each other (even during the movie)
Popcorn and Coke at elevated prices
Sound and screen no better than at home
Movies mainly for teenagers with lots of effects but a plot for idiots.
Yes, I also think that cinemas have a hard time in times when almost everyone can stream an oversupply of movies.
I think the problem of public entertainment, like public transport, is the public.
I haven't been to a cinema for over 40 years, but go to concerts and live theatre regularly, and the standard of behaviour is generally appalling. Mobile 'phones especially should be banned!
Not a bit surprised that audiences are collapsing.
i think the "success" of the Minecraft movie tells me there is a time and a place for a 'theater' experience... but it a a raucous one and of course, it will not work for 99% of movies
but yes I agree, the act of driving to a shopping mall, doing a bit of light shopping and a dinner AFTER a movie has had its day.
Where I am there are $20 movie nights where you get a ticket an a feed and drink at your local food court... which is a good deal... like a burger chips and coke and movie? even that aint working
i'd also put it to you that the HOME THEATER setup isnt even going anywhere... people dont want to sit there and devote 120 mins on their home screen UNLESS its doom scrolling on your phone as well.
do people watch movies on their Iphone 16 pro max when stuffed inside an airliner??? i'd say... yeah?
The only time I can remember being bothered by the audience was when I went to see 'Star Trek - The Motion Picture' in 1979.
Bored with the slow pace and turgid plot, the mostly youthful audience began running around the auditorium, shouting and fighting.
Was actually more entertaining than the film, which hasn't improved on subsequent viewings.
In Liverpool when I was young there was a huge 'ABC' cinema with stalls and a balcony. Went to see a few films there like 'Flash Gordon' and the 1976 remake of 'KIng Kong.' Both screenings the cinema was packed with an attentive, but very exuberant audience, that sort of made it more of a event than everyone sitting quietly, at least for me.
Last few times I've been there's only been a handful of other patrons, although the screening rooms now are so small I doubt they hold more than fifty people.
Honestly, it’s far too expensive just to see a movie a few months before it hits streaming platforms.
I don’t feel like I’m missing out -I prefer the comfort of watching from the sofa, where I can control the volume and pause whenever someone needs a bathroom break.
A single trip to the cinema for the four of us costs about as much as a whole year of Disney+.
Still, some movie theatres are innovating and keeping ahead of the trends. I recently went to an Alamo draft House for the first time last week. Spent quite a bit because they bring food and beer to your seat.
Alamo Drafthouse was purchased by SONY last summer for $200 million out of Chapter 11. First time a major studio has owned theaters since production, distribution and exhibition were broken up back in the fifties.
You were watching a movie, possibly made by Sony, in a Sony theater. Movies doing well in their theaters won’t be released to streaming won’t be released to alternate formats until they determine the time is “right.”
