My area has two theaters less than three years old:

About 6 months before COVID, a local Houston chain of dinner theaters opened the most upscale movie theater I have ever been to. 100% reserved recliner seats with table, full bar, and food is good (e.g. wings are as good as any local bar). Also, you can upgrade to an even nicer pod for two that comes with blankets and free popcorn. Never had a problem with other patrons behavior here. I went to the movies last night and the 6 PM movie had every seat from half-way up was full, and half of the lower seats were full too.

During COVID, Regal opened their largest theater near me. Extremely inefficient use of space indoors (i.e. paying taxes, lighting, HVAC on massive areas that generate zero revenue) and outdoors they have most obnoxious big screen visible for many miles that they run for many, many hours after they close (i.e. pisses off the locals). The ordinary ticket theaters are not recliner seats. They have a VIP area of theaters with a "bouncer" (aka 2nd set of doors with ticket taker); recliner seats; a private bar; and an area with free popcorn, sodas, and ice cream. The problem with the VIP area is Mommy and Daddy buy their sex trophies VIP seats then turn them loose unsupervised. I saw the Bond film here and the unsupervised teens ruined the movie experience. I don't see them staying in business long.

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Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

I know exactly the last 2 times I went to a movie theater -

in 2014 to see Fury
in 2019 to see 1917

both times me and my grandson and maybe 10 others in the theaters

Both times better than watching on TV

I think there are 2 issues:
The era of people that needed to see the film on "The Big Screen" is gone these were people born from the 1930s to 1960s. They are currently living a more meager life, financially.
and #2 the cost and quality of the films is another stake in the coffin.
Once a year we would go out and catch a movie and not one of them had any redeeming qualities whatsoever.

They are dinosaurs and the vast array of streaming content, has them going to the tar pits.

I didn't set foot in a theater for 15 years. Then I started going with my two sons.
We didn't like chick flicks and the wives didn't like our movies. We would go every few
months. Went to see Dune. Good time to spend with adult kids!

Last movie i wanted to see in theatre was "1917" and I didnt make it before covid shut everything down. It seems like all movies are remakes these days.

We occasionally go see a movie, but only ones that will really benefit from a truly immersive showing - "Dune" for example.

And my TV is thoroughly middle of the road in quality as to size, picture, and sound. But it is still just fine for almost any movie.

Going out to a movie is as much an excuse to go out at all as to see the movie.

So, yes, theaters may be on the way out.

Something else to consider. Sure seems as though a culture shift has occurred. I loved going to the drive in with my parents. Saw the original Smokey and the Bandit there. What a great night. Then as drive ins closed we moved to indoor theaters with family and friends. Then over time when my kid came into the equation, we moved to theater part time and Blockbuster (and the like) for home consumption. Then streaming gained capability, Blockbuster eventually closed, and attention on going to the theater slowed. Now, people have shifted almost entirely to streaming movies for individual (or very small group) consumption. It seems, at least from my perspective, that everything we do as a society today, from movie watching, to general purchasing, to virtually everything is shifting from group/community involvement/interaction activities to individual activities.

I haven't been to a theater in probably 12 years. Jr df #4 wants me to go with him to Top Gun 2. It has been delayed for going on two years because.....covid. At this rate it'll be another 12 before TG#2 actually plays.

The last film I saw in a theater was Throne of Blood just before the pandemic arrived. I never expected to see this film on the big screen; it was awesome and probably a good place to stop.

Incidentally, back when I was teaching high school, there was a drive-in named The Rose Bowl. The kids all called it The Finger Bowl.

Last time I was in a movie theater it was to see one of the Avenger movies. A buddy of mine had some free tickets because the last time he went there were technical difficulties so the theater comped everyone a couple tickets for the inconvenience.


The theater was nice enough. I had been to it probably 10 years prior and they completely renovated it. Stadium seating, comfortable reclining leather chairs in place of those uncomfortable metal framed chairs with the cheap fabric seat pads with fold up bottoms. The picture quality was meh, a good home theater system provides as good if not better experience. The volume was LOUD. I have tinnitus and I had no shame plugging my ears, what others thought be damned. Again, a decent home theater system can get the point across without ruining my hearing.


People using their phones mid movie was extremely distracting. Add in the usual whispering/talking, noises from eating, etc. and I don't miss it at all.


Turns out those tickets went for over $20 and this wasn't even an IMAX theater. No thanks.

Near me, a 20 screen Regal Cinema was torn down.

It was about 19 years old.

I'm assuming that depending on what city and state you live in would determine how well the theaters are doing.

Where I live we have tons on movie theaters all renovated with reclining leather/heated seats. Nice new screens and the ability to purchase seats at home to save your seat.

Kids, teenagers hanging out, people on dates, older patrons depending on the movie can sell out the showing. I rarely go to the movies unless it's a big title/series that I
like and just want to get out of the house and see it on the big screen. On average maybe see 2 or 3 movies in theaters per year.

Next movie I'll probably see is the new Top Gun Maverick which I've been waiting for a long time, grew up on the first one.

Usually go on a Sunday my day off and it costs as low as 7 to 10 dollars depending how earlier the showing is which isn't too bad. Never do I eat, drink, or get snacks at
the movies costs way too much. Will do that after the movie is over.

If it wasn't for my job I could go after work my favorite theater has 6 dollar Tuesday's. All day all showing, any movie is only 6 dollars now that is a bargain.

Would love to watch and pause movies at home just don't want to spend the cash on a super home setup. Plus sometimes I want to watch a specific movie right away with all my
buddies and hang out.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:
Near me, a 20 screen Regal Cinema was torn down.

It was about 19 years old.

I remember going there the first week it opened.

I'm not sure what I think of modern televisions. It is so clear that you can see all of the bad editing, especially special effects. Older movies are the worst. I really can't watch a tv show on my large screen, it is so clear it just looks fake.

quote:

Originally posted by cobre sig:
I really can't watch a tv show on my large screen, it is so clear it just looks fake.

That can be fixed. Look up soap opera effect.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

Originally posted by cobre sig:
I really can't watch a tv show on my large screen, it is so clear it just looks fake.

That can be fixed. Look up soap opera effect.

Thank You, I have never heard of that before. When I did the search it brought up Samsung, which happens to be what I have.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

Originally posted by cobre sig:
I really can't watch a tv show on my large screen, it is so clear it just looks fake.

That can be fixed. Look up soap opera effect.

Yep. Hate that technology

Makes everything look “live”, I think it makes movies look like shit.

Had a vacation house where the big TV in the LR had that enabled and it got turned off quick.

^^^^^^
What setting is that? Is it literally “Soap Opera Effect”? Thanks…

quote:

Originally posted by erj_pilot:
^^^^^^
What setting is that? Is it literally “Soap Opera Effect”? Thanks…

There’s no standard name for it. I’d suggest googling your TV make for “turn off soap opera effect” or “turn off live effect”.

The ability to toggle this off should be in your settings somewhere.

It’s basically a super-high refresh rate that makes things IMO look strange.

Thank you!