In the past few months, I have seen the following movies in theaters: Anaconda, The Housemaid, Marty Supreme, Wuthering Heights, Send Help, Crime 101, Scream 7 and Reminders of Him. I have seen so many movies recently because my friend and I made going to the movie theater a weekend ritual, and our usual theaters include Landmark at Merrick Park, AMC24 at Sunset Place, Regal Bistro at the Falls and Regal Kendall Village. Of these movies, Scream 7 was by far the most crowded, with almost every single seat filled. I saw it at Regal Kendall Village at 7 p.m.. There are obviously many factors that contribute to the crowdedness of a movie; the most prominent being the time, the theater and the movie itself. However, for every other movie I saw, the theater was relatively empty.
There is no doubt that theaters continue to sell fewer movie tickets every year; streaming services make that inevitable. But what I cannot seem to grasp is, when given the choice, — why would someone willingly miss out on the experience that a movie theater offers?
No matter the genre, every plot twist sends a gasp in unison through the audience, turning a room full of strangers into a captivated crowd. However, if you are watching Netflix on your couch, you are most likely gasping alone. The feeling a movie theater creates cannot be replicated at home. Going to the movies is similar to attending a live show: the audience is seated in front of the stage — or in this case, the big screen — watching the story unfold before their eyes. Theaters provide a space for emotional, intense and exhilarating moments to be felt collectively, which is exactly how most filmmakers intend for their work to be viewed and appreciated.
Part of what makes going to the movies so special is its nostalgic, retro atmosphere. I have always been drawn to the 1980s, and entering a movie theater evokes a Stranger Things-esque Starcourt Mall feeling, as if I am transported to that era. The enormous screen, loud speakers and lights enhance every scene, making it impossible not to react. In fact, almost every time I cry, I am in a movie theater.
Of course, streaming services offer things that theaters do not. Watching a movie at home is cheaper, more convenient and allows viewers to pause whenever needed, making staying in the obvious choice for many. But the distractions, isolation and lack of a cinematic environment eliminate the emotional depth of a film. Ultimately, it comes down to priorities. If people want to experience a film truly, they will go to the movie theater. If they want to simply watch it, they will not.
If people continue to choose convenience over experience, movie theaters risk fading away. The magic of cinema was never meant to be confined to a computer or a television screen. This weekend, my friend and I will be back at the theater for Project Hail Mary and Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, playing our part to keep the movie theater industry alive. And at the end of the day, all I can do is encourage you to do the same.
