Theater Attendance Lowest In Two Decades

People say that blu ray is the cause, this is not likely, the real cause is likely streaming media. Blu Ray sales just simply are not what they should be, they don't account for missing attendance at movie theaters and they are even disappointing to Sony who owns them. The reality is that sony is stupid and their moves with blu ray were almost all entirely moronic mistakes.

This is for a bunch of reason. The rise of small form factor mobile computers. Doesn't matter what you call them, ultrabooks, tablets, hybrids, phones a absolutely massive chunk of the market doesn't have any way to play a blu ray disk on the items they use most in their daily lives. The rise of macs, millions of people buy macs and none of them come with a blu ray player or ever have from the factory. Ultimately Sony caused their own downfall in this regard, they have made it literal hell to play a blu ray even on the devices which do support drives. Desktops and bigger laptops, often ship with shit software that breaks or cannot play the blu ray after a short time. Hook up an external monitor you BR software breaks on half the installs. Have an HDCP device? Too bad you BR software will say its not. Want to buy nice stuff it will cost you as much as a stand alone BR player just for a piece of software which still might not work on everything.

All the other factors have existed for decades. Low quality movies, high ticket prices, etc.... And back in the day of DVD the movie theater was not that much better than DVDs either. High end sound and sound systems have existed the whole time. But one difference is back then DVDs fairly quickly became ubiquitous on computing devices, there was pretty much no streaming. So IMO one or both of those 2 factors are what is keeping people out of the theaters.

What sony should have done? Offer MS, apple any anyone else free access to BR playing licenses so they could put it in every computer, paid, or given MS free licenses to BR in every XBOX 360 and Nintendo for the Wii. Basically let people play blu rays for free, then only charge per disk royalties. This would have made it so millions of extra customers would be purchasing Blu rays. Instead the majority of disks are still this many years later DVD.

Movie theaters like many other obsolete industries have been, and are moving toward niche entertainment services. Going high end is all they have left.

The last thing we need and hopefully will hit soon is for one of the movie studios to realize they can make hundreds of millions of extra dollars on release by offering streaming release day movies much like pay per view. Once one sees success with it, its game over for the movie theaters. I eagerly await this day. It is just too bad the status quo holds so long and old dumb excecs are too stupid to see the light. How long will it be before the movie studios accidentally let someone do this, much like they accidentally let Apple have a music monopoly.
 
They put in a Galaxy Theater by us. Reclining chairs w/ a tray for each seat. You can sit next to someone and not be crammed. That theater is almost always sold out. Even on weekday nights it will be busy. Plus you can buy beers and wine :D Oh, by the way, if they see you on your phone after their "warning" sign comes on the screen telling you to stay off, you will be booted from the show no refunds. And people know better because they actually hold to it. I have seen people removed from the theater for phone usage.

People get sick of the same old shit. Watching 20 minutes of previews, sitting next to or behind some asshole who wants to be on his phone during the movie, have some asshat shit next to you who feels his elbows should invade your space. Its no fun. We stopped going to movies until the Galaxy opened by us. We still dont go as much as we did say 10 years ago but I believe that also has to do with the quality of movies coming out these days.
 
I think I might have gone to see one movie this year...

Honestly, I don't have a desire to go to the movies as much. I have invested in creating a home theatre in my living room and honestly, considering our local theatres haven't been maintaining/upgrading their equipment in what seems like years, it's a much better experience.

It's cheaper for me to buy the movie I want to see on blu ray (pre-order through Amazon, shows up in the mail on release day) than it is for me and one other person to go and see it at the show. I'd much rather enjoy it in my own theatre. That also gives me the option to see it again at no extra cost.

I don't think the improvement and accessibility of decent HT gear can be discounted as at least part of the lower numbers at the box office.
 
Oh and BTW last movie I saw in a theater? Avatar the week of release. I encourage everyone around me to just strait up quit. It cost my family over $80 to see the movie, we had to sit through really long advertisements, and you never felt like you could leave to goto the bathroom or your would miss something. People were of course noisy. Lots of people on their phones etc.... I bought a killer home theater setup with all the money I saved on movies over the years probably better than anyones setup in 5 blocks of me. And now I get to enjoy that high end experience even if I am just watching the youtube junk or gaming.
 
The theaters distribution point marketing model sucks.
Cell phone use is still a problem.
add some cray kids and then why bother...
just wait for the bluray, and stream it... on sale.
 
I just bought a new TV, surround sounds and have XBMC running as well as subscriptions to Netflix and Amazon. No waiting in lines or hearing kids talk during the show or looking for seats.
 
What movies have been worth seeing? I saw Winter Soldier in the spring (and liked it). Did not see any movies over the summer - not really interested. Have not seen any yet this winter.
I was debating the Hobbit movie, but the previous 2 were a let down. I suspect this one will be more of the same and ultimately a let down.
The other parts: annoying people, expensive prices, ridiculous concessions, etc. What's the appeal?
 
Every time I go to the local theater, I feel like I am losing several years of my hearing. I don't understand why they have to make the audio unbearably loud, they sound like blown speaker.
 
I'm not surprised at this. Since there is a few points that come up.

1. When I went to the movies when I was young the start time would be say 8:15PM or something and when you sat down at 8:10PM You would see one preview for another movie and bang the feature would start.

1a. Now adays you get in at the same time but instead of one preview you see TV commericals and previews for products you buy for 30 min before the movie starts.

2. Price is a joke. Back in the days I watched Star Wars episode IV and V and VI for only 5:50 taxes in today its around 17.50 also popcorn was a dollar and drinks a dollar.

2b. If you pay 17.50 today why am I paying to watch commericals from the TV. Play the dame movie no previews period for that price.

3. Piracy is not what stopped people going to the movies it is all the BS above. Seriously I would love to go to the movies if the price was around 5 dollars again and popcorn and drinks for a buck.
 
i think it a shame that i go see a first run movie and only five people are in the theater.
 
Hornet said:
Every time I go to the local theater, I feel like I am losing several years of my hearing. I don't understand why they have to make the audio unbearably loud, they sound like blown speaker.
Click to expand...

Some people just don't like the reference level audio, but on top of that many places balance the sound for the center of the audience. If you cannot get one of those seats in the middle of the theater you are going to be hearing much louder sounds off to the sides in some scenes.

At any rate in your home you can set the volume how ever you like.


lordshado said:
i think it a shame that i go see a first run movie and only five people are in the theater.
Click to expand...



Make it 4.
 
I must be lucky, because I go to weekend matinee's and with very few exceptions, it's easy to get a great seat and the audience is generally quiet. Now if I visit my parents it's worse, because old people talk way too much (and no, I'm not kidding).

Use of cell phones in theaters is way lower today than it was a few years ago (IME). I did see someone using one at some point during the latest Hunger Games, but as I recall, they quickly got up and left the theater and came back a few minutes later.

It's not like the Dark Knight, when a woman in front of me spent then entire movie texting. I assume her boyfriend or husband dragged her there, cause she clearly wasn't interested in the movie.
 
rudy said:
Some people just don't like the reference level audio, but on top of that many places balance the sound for the center of the audience. If you cannot get one of those seats in the middle of the theater you are going to be hearing much louder sounds off to the sides in some scenes.

At any rate in your home you can set the volume how ever you like.

Make it 4.
Click to expand...

I always get the center, but I've actually seen some chains say you should sit off center for the best sound. I miss the days when theaters had THX sound. I still recall when UA (now Regal) dropped it, and the difference was apparent almost immediately (though it took a few movies before I realized that they'd dropped THX certification).

I don't think I've been to a THX theater in at least 12 years. :(
 
ICOM said:
Lots of great movies. Too many shitty people in the theater. Adds and trailers help to kill it off.
Click to expand...

I agree on Ads, but I don't get why people hate trailers. I'm there to see a movie, and I like to see some previews of movies coming out in a few months in the future.
 
Have the theatres forgetten that im sitting in front of a 65" theatre screen right here at home?
 
What movies did I see in the theater in the past 24 months? Lets see here:
  • The Wind Rises - Made $5.2 million on domestic (US) release which makes it the #141 grossing film in 2014. When I saw it, I was the ONLY one in the theater.
  • From Up on Poppy Hill - Made $1 million on domestic (US) release which makes it the #216 grossing film in 2013.
I had to rescan my list, and other films that I had seen were released in other years. Which means, the only two films were Studio Ghibli films which were on extremely limited engagements, and advertising was word-of-mouth/Facebook. Even then, I missed The Tale of the Princess Kaguya this past year.

Why don't I go to more movies? Why when I can wait a year and pick up the disc for around $12, or two years and get the disc at a $6 sale. When I go to the theater, I generally grab a bite to eat along the way, and skip the popcorn and cola. When I went with friends, we usually had lunch beforehand or dinner afterward at a nearby restaurant. OK, maybe that was more expensive than popcorn/soda, but much more healthier.

Beyond the three previously mentioned movies, what other movies got me excited and really go out and watch the film in the theater? I even missed the Hobbit trilogy. Whatever happened to the films that have a good plot and story instead of CGI and explosions? By the time I hear about those, (like Gravity), they are already out of the theater.
 
I have not been to a theater in ages.
Mostly because very few movies I wanted to see I could not wait later for it to be on cable.
A decade ago I lived somewhat close to a very nice drive-in which showed two movies for $7 per scree and they had two so you had a choice.
They had their own FM station so you could close your windows, crank up your stereo and enjoy without being bothered.
You could also BYOB :D
 
The last time I was at a theater was probably 7 or 8 years ago. I think many people know just prefer to watch at home and have systems nice enough to enjoy the movie. With the expense and the people you have to put up with I don't think I'll ever go back.
 
Movies for me (in my city):
$8-10/ticket * 2 = $16-$20
Competent babysitter for my 3yo for 3-4 hours = $45-$60
popcorn + drink * 2 = $30
(If I still lived in Chicago, I might need to pay parking as well...but I'm not including that):

Experience costs $110

Wait until 1 year after release or less - Rent at redbox for $2, watch while son is taking afternoon nap.

$110 vs $2.....

Tough Choice!
 
Also: I often entertain guests from out of town who DON'T speak English as a first language. There are already devices at the local theatres that you can use for captions in english (my theatre uses rear-window). Why not have a language selection choice for these (spanish, portuguese, french, etc) and offer this? Seems like a no-brainer (esp for spanish).
 
I used to take the wife to the movies every weekend years ago. After having a little one plus increased ticket prices it simply is not possible. Movie theaters simply charge too much for their product.
 
Whatever you believe is the cause of the decline I think we all agree their going to need to change their business model to survive. They also need to deal with the mobile phone issue in a stricter way. Unfortunately the MPAA is the monkey wrench in all of this. If they are not willing to help out then movie theaters will go the way of the drive in theaters, or even worse. Of course as history provides they refuse to anything but lobby and litigate.
 
Could it be that most movies are pure shit? Poor story lines, re-treads (part II, Part III, etc.) or re-makes that are worse (almost always) than the original movie.

Couple that with the ticket prices, snacks, etc. and you not looking at a cheap night out.

If I want to watch a mediocre film, then I can wait until it's on PPV or DVD/Blu-Ray and the whole family can watch it at home for $4.99 or so.
 
When i was growing up in the 70s and 80s you went to theater because somethings never came out on video. And if it did come out on video it might be years later. That is the real reason. Now movies come to disc fast! There is less reason to go and see them at the movies. This has caused a portion of the public who want to save money to no longer see many movies in theaters. The theaters still want revenue so they have to charge more to the remaining people who are going. We used to be big theater goers. Now we only go to select movies. Add to that that I have a 65" tv and twin SVS subwoofers with 5.1 giving me just as good of an experience at home as at the movies. All of these factors have caused lower turnout in theaters and higher prices.
 
gplracer said:
When i was growing up in the 70s and 80s you went to theater because somethings never came out on video. And if it did come out on video it might be years later. That is the real reason. Now movies come to disc fast! There is less reason to go and see them at the movies. This has caused a portion of the public who want to save money to no longer see many movies in theaters. The theaters still want revenue so they have to charge more to the remaining people who are going. We used to be big theater goers. Now we only go to select movies. Add to that that I have a 65" tv and twin SVS subwoofers with 5.1 giving me just as good of an experience at home as at the movies. All of these factors have caused lower turnout in theaters and higher prices.
Click to expand...

I just purchased a 60" Samsung HDTV and a good sound bar with bass so I get an excellent experience at home for a $4-$5 movie rental. They need to give me a better experience than that, like a dinner and movie type theater. Or one that serves alcohol so we don't get any teeny boppers constantly chattering with cell phones.
 
pcjunkie said:
I just purchased a 60" Samsung HDTV and a good sound bar with bass so I get an excellent experience at home for a $4-$5 movie rental. They need to give me a better experience than that, like a dinner and movie type theater. Or one that serves alcohol so we don't get any teeny boppers constantly chattering with cell phones.
Click to expand...

I've been to a couple of theaters (some in the US, some in Europe) that served alcohol. My favorite of these had regular tables, served pizza, hot dogs, etc. and you could by pitchers of beer. Always had fun there. Screen was slightly higher than normal, so you didn't get bothered by people walking around.

If you google Movie Pub or Cinema Pub....you'll find all kinds of hits. There might be something similar near you.

But as someone else noted....many of us have large screen TV's with 5.1 or 7.1 sound systems. There isn't much reason to go out when you can have the same experience at home.
 
jfolds said:
Have the theatres forgetten that im sitting in front of a 65" theatre screen right here at home?
Click to expand...

I just stick to large screens. which are are roughly 50-60 feet wide. Of course it also depends what you're paying. I rarely pay more than 7 bucks for a movie. I might feel differently if I had to pay 15. I'm not sure about these $22.00 tickets, because I've never been in an Atmos theater.
 
nilepez said:
I just stick to large screens. which are are roughly 50-60 feet wide. Of course it also depends what you're paying. I rarely pay more than 7 bucks for a movie. I might feel differently if I had to pay 15. I'm not sure about these $22.00 tickets, because I've never been in an Atmos theater.
Click to expand...

60 feet wide? How far back do you sit, though? It may end up the same viewing size if you sit far back. At home, you're fairly close compared to the theater.

Atmos... Anyone have a home theater set up for Atmos? I was thinking of picking up a new receiver and trying it out. But, it's 7.2 and that'd only give me 5.2 and 2 height channels.
 
Ur_Mom said:
60 feet wide? How far back do you sit, though? It may end up the same viewing size if you sit far back. At home, you're fairly close compared to the theater.

Atmos... Anyone have a home theater set up for Atmos? I was thinking of picking up a new receiver and trying it out. But, it's 7.2 and that'd only give me 5.2 and 2 height channels.
Click to expand...

Maybe 20 rows from the screen (give or take) including the ones that are on ground level...that's generally the 2nd to 6th row in the stadium seating section. If I'm with relatives, then I sit further back.

I was spoiled by a 75' screen when i got out of college. Back then I'd sit around 30 or so rows back (though I don't think they had as many ground level rows then either).

To put it in perspective if you had an 80" screen, you'd probably sit 7' from the TV (give or take a foot).
 
pcjunkie said:
I just purchased a 60" Samsung HDTV and a good sound bar with bass so I get an excellent experience at home for a $4-$5 movie rental. They need to give me a better experience than that, like a dinner and movie type theater. Or one that serves alcohol so we don't get any teeny boppers constantly chattering with cell phones.
Click to expand...

Alamo Drafthouse cinema. Dinner, movie and a bucket of ice cold IPA all in one place. it's the only theater I go to.
 
My personal gripes:
1. It feels like the first half hour of any movie I see at the theater anymore is trailers for other movies, most of which look boring as hell and/or I've already seen announced via the web. I sure as hell did not pay $10 to see commercials.
2. Food and drink totaling to more than 15-20 dollars should not be considered a SNACK and sure as hell should not be in snack sized portions.
3. At most theaters, NOTHING is being done about the douchebags who are there to do anything but watch a movie. I didn't pay $10 to listen to someone on the bro-squad, or see someone's bright-ass cellphone screen at the corner of my eye. Most of the folks in the theater probably didn't either. Either kick those dudes out or give them their own douchebag section to sit in, where they can be as douchey as they want and no one else will have to see it or hear it.
4. For as much as it costs even on the cheap for some of these sound systems they set up, they don't seem to check the sound very well. I've been to movies where it sounded like half the dialogue was coming out of one side only, or there'd be really bad distortion only for it to cut in crystal clear for no apparent reason, then cut out again. Of course, the crappy commercial trailers came through perfectly clear...
 
SamuraiInBlack said:
My personal gripes:
1. It feels like the first half hour of any movie I see at the theater anymore is trailers for other movies, most of which look boring as hell and/or I've already seen announced via the web. I sure as hell did not pay $10 to see commercials.
Click to expand...

Unless you're in your 80s, trailers/previews have always appeared before movies. I can't speak for your theater, but IME, trailers take around 10 minutes. I've seen movies in a lot of theaters. Different chains, different states and different parts of the country, and I've never seen 30 minutes of trailers.

SamuraiInBlack said:
My personal gripes:
2. Food and drink totaling to more than 15-20 dollars should not be considered a SNACK and sure as hell should not be in snack sized portions.
Click to expand...

Prices at the theater are insanely expensive, but snack size? Goobers/Raisinets are 600-700 calories and a typical soft drink is at least 300 or more.

SamuraiInBlack said:
3. At most theaters, NOTHING is being done about the douchebags who are there to do anything but watch a movie. I didn't pay $10 to listen to someone on the bro-squad, or see someone's bright-ass cellphone screen at the corner of my eye. Most of the folks in the theater probably didn't either. Either kick those dudes out or give them their own douchebag section to sit in, where they can be as douchey as they want and no one else will have to see it or hear it.
Click to expand...

Did you complain? IME, if you complain they'll either ask them to stop or kick them out. Several years ago, this was a huge problem. Today, it's the exception to the rule.

SamuraiInBlack said:
4. For as much as it costs even on the cheap for some of these sound systems they set up, they don't seem to check the sound very well. I've been to movies where it sounded like half the dialogue was coming out of one side only, or there'd be really bad distortion only for it to cut in crystal clear for no apparent reason, then cut out again. Of course, the crappy commercial trailers came through perfectly clear...
Click to expand...

While I agree about sound not being optimal all the time, with few exceptions (generally as an sound effect), dialog comes from a center speaker, not the left or right channel. Again, if this is an issue, why aren't you complaining? I complained to the company that owns a local theater about sound and got an email within a day from a VP (which wasn't expected). Theaters are generally automated. There's not somebody in the room watching it with you. If there's a problem, tell them. It may not fix the current show, but they'll probably give you a couple of passes to make up for the issue.
 
movies are shit. and the fake 3d has finally flopped. movies suck so bad I see them on netflix and am not sure if I have seen them before. just bland generic bullshit that compensates for shitty story with special effects.
 
Went to a theater yesterday for an 11:50 show...$5 a ticket!
 
Unless you're in your 80s, trailers/previews have always appeared before movies. I can't speak for your theater, but IME, trailers take around 10 minutes. I've seen movies in a lot of theaters. Different chains, different states and different parts of the country, and I've never seen 30 minutes of trailers.
Click to expand...

I have seen 30 minutes of commercials the last 2 times I went to the theater. Its probably only 15 minutes after the listed show time but at the theater we have to go to (others are 20+ miles away) if you do not show up 15 minutes early you will not get a good seat. And for us its not only trailers but lots of local advertizement.
 
doz said:
They put in a Galaxy Theater by us. Reclining chairs w/ a tray for each seat. You can sit next to someone and not be crammed. That theater is almost always sold out. Even on weekday nights it will be busy. Plus you can buy beers and wine :D Oh, by the way, if they see you on your phone after their "warning" sign comes on the screen telling you to stay off, you will be booted from the show no refunds. And people know better because they actually hold to it. I have seen people removed from the theater for phone usage.

People get sick of the same old shit. Watching 20 minutes of previews, sitting next to or behind some asshole who wants to be on his phone during the movie, have some asshat shit next to you who feels his elbows should invade your space. Its no fun. We stopped going to movies until the Galaxy opened by us. We still dont go as much as we did say 10 years ago but I believe that also has to do with the quality of movies coming out these days.
Click to expand...

This!!! Was in San Antonio and they had a movie theater like this (cannot remember the name) Loved this Theater.. Best Movie Theater Experience i had Cost me $10.00 got to see the movie in comfort!

Movies i saw this year worth a damn (Guardians of the Galaxy, and Interstellar) both in IMAX other than that.... NOPE... Do Better Hollyweird...
 
GotNoRice said:
Sort of a control issue for me I guess. Little things like not being able to pause the movie if I need to take a quick break for whatever reason. Not having control of the volume or being able to re-watch a particular scene if I want to. Not being allowed to bring my own food and drink so I can be sold their overpriced crap instead.
Click to expand...

You nailed it.
 
Its not the quality of movies, its not the price, its not the concessions. Its the fact that home tv systems are quite decent compared to being quite shitty (or non existent) years ago. Why leave the house when you dont have to?
 
I agree about the concession and ticket prices getting out of control. Now I just by my tickets at Costco.

Cineplex Great Escape Package
350-301471-894__1.jpg

$24.00 gets you two adult tickets a regular popcorn and two regular soft drinks.


Equivalent prices at the theatre would be over $50!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top