I have definitely felt a change when I have gone to movies over the last year or so. I am certainly not the only one to feel that too. It is a very real problem that is causing some to proclaim that the theaters are on the deathbed. Now, I don’t think it is that bed (yet), but it for sure could be a lot better that it is now. I think the highest percentage an auditorium was full for one of my showings this year was at best 25% full, and that was for Dune: Part 2. This isn’t just a problem for one theater chain either. It is an issue across the board. It is also a complicated one to try and find a solution to. Let’s go over some of the major points of contention.

One major reason I hear about why people stay at home is how much it costs to go to the theater. While I am not saying it is cheap most of the time, if you pick your times right, it can be. For example, at least at AMC and Emagine on Tuesdays, all movie tickets are $5.00. So, if you can wait a few days, you can see the biggest movies sometimes $10 cheaper at the same theater. I will also bring up again that AMC A-List is only $20 per month and you can watch between 12-15 movies a month for that price, depending if there are 4 or 5 weeks that month. However, not everyone can watch, or want to watch, that many movies. It isn’t for everyone, but it is an option.

On top of tickets prices, people bring up concession prices as part of the total cost. Here is the thing though. Concessions aren’t mandatory. You can just walk right past them and head to your auditorium. Eat before the movie or after. By all means, don’t sneak food in. That would be the worst thing in the world. Specifically, don’t sneak Buffalo Wild Wings or Culvers in. I certainly haven’t done that before… (college was a different time). I’m also not saying boycott the concessions. Get something if you want. Just don’t feel obligated to get popcorn and a drink every time. Save yourself $25 once in awhile.

Moving onto the movie watching experience itself, there is one thing the theater itself can’t do anything about: people. I’ll be blunt here, people suck sometimes. I have so many stories of the people at screening I have been at, and I will share some of those here eventually. There was a period right after COVID, when theaters reopened, that some people completely forgot we are not in your living room. Now, with most of my screenings in the last year or two, there is barely anyone in the auditorium to make unwanted noises. So, for now, that problem has solved itself in a way I guess. I do miss the crowds though. Some of the best times I have had a theater was during the MCU movies. I love going to the first showing at my theater with the big crowd that I have called “nerd night”. I am hoping that that feeling that has been missing since No Way Home is back during Deadpool & Wolverine in a couple weeks…