By The Editorial Board
Though near-empty theaters are normal these days, this was not the case years ago. Theaters would often be filled with lines out the door waiting to view the latest release. The seats may have been folding chairs and the concessions were limited, but movie-going was a treat nonetheless.
Now, one can show up at the theater just a few minutes before the movie begins. You are able to choose from a seemingly endless array of snacks and drinks. Then, as you head into the theater and slip into your wonderfully comfy recliner, you may notice only a few other heads peeping out of the silhouette of seats in the darkness around you.
Despite the many comforts and amenities theaters have gained over the years, it just doesn’t seem to be enough to keep viewers coming back for more.
Since COVID-19, box office sales have fallen, even during summer and the holidays when theaters have traditionally been busiest. To be exact, since 2023, box office sales have gone down 14.9%.
Going hand in hand with falling sales, movie ticket prices have seen a spike in the past few years, going from what used to be an average price of $9.16 in 2019 to $10.53 in 2022. However, when adjusted considering inflation, the overall value remains the same. So why are there increasingly fewer and fewer butts in seats at theaters?
There are many contributing factors to the downfall of movie theaters. One of the most obvious is that streaming services are now the paramount method for people to consume films — pun intended.
According to information gathered in 2023 by The Harris Poll, a research company which gathers information on Americans’ entertainment tendencies, 77% of respondents said they would prefer watching movies at home rather than in a theater.
Perhaps this could have to do with post-COVID-19 norms and comfortability, as the virus took a major toll on how we consume our movies.
Perhaps it has to do with the time it takes to drive to the theater, park, walk in and sit through several minutes of ads before actually being able to view the desired content. Theaters have done things to make the experience more appealing through comfier seating, tastier snacks or better surround sound. However, when going up against streaming, it all comes down to convenience. So how exactly will the movie industry adapt to the needs of its consumers? If they don’t, will movie theaters become obsolete?
One way the tradition of movie-going could be kept afloat is if it were made more affordable. When put into perspective, consumers of several streaming platforms can watch whatever movies they want and however many they want within a month for about the price of one movie ticket today. For instance, Hulu, Netflix and Disney+ all offer subscription deals under ten dollars.
The thing is, people want to go to movies. It makes the viewing process much more thrilling, enjoyable and memorable. But if they can’t make time for it in their day or don’t have spare cash lying around, they won’t.
So when it comes to a big family on a budget, or in most of our cases — college kids who are trying to save their money — there’s a need for a change in prices if movie-going is to become more than a once or twice-a-year occasion.
