Why watch movies in theaters?
I'm a bit of a spendthrift. And as ticket prices have risen in recent years, I find myself going to the movies less and less.
In fact, I much more enjoy watching movies (Bluray or 3D Bluray) at home. I have a great stereo system and a big 3D HDTV. No noisy strangers. No annoying kid kicking the back of my chair. I can eat whatever I have at my house. I can get as comfy as I want on my couch. I can hit pause if I need a restroom break. The list goes on.
I'm not saying that I never go to the movies. Some movies are worth it. But, I have to REALLY want to see them. And it has to make sense to see them at the theater too (what I mean is, there must be a specific reason for wanting to view it on a larger screen or with louder more immersive sound). To me, that excludes most comedies, most dramas. Honestly, the things that I'll usually only go see at the theaters are some of the MAJOR action, adventure, or horror blockbusters. I think the last movie I saw was The Hunger Games Catching Fire. Before that... it's hard to remember maybe Paranormal Activity 4 or the last Twilight movie. So basically movies that have sequels or trilogies b/c if I saw the first one in theaters I'm gonna want to see the next one in theaters too likely.
Do you think it's worth watching more movies in the theater? What do you do?
19 Comments • Newest first
I prefer watching a movie at the movies, some reasons off the top of my head:
-I love movie theater popcorn
-Way bigger screen
-For the movie experience, watching a movie with strangers
-Going with a group of friends
-Something to do
-You get to see it when it comes out instead of waiting for DVD/Blu-Ray
[quote=gangar23]What the heck? you cannot live in the USA for it to be that much. its like $11 where I live, but $27 is way to much[/quote]
I live in Australia.
I no longer go to cinemas, my local IMAX now costs $27 per ticket. With a drink and popcorn you're looking at over $40 a person. As I usually go with my partner that gettin gin the realm of almost $100 per visit (including public transport etc). Instead I went out and purchased a projector and home theater system, while it's an expensive initial outlay, it should easily pay for itself within a year.
[quote=LimusocoBobo]I have a great stereo system and a big 3D HDTV.[/quote]
Yeah...the difference between the price of those things and the price of my home entertainment stuff is probably enough money to go see like 300 movies in the theater.
That's why.
The last movie I saw in theaters was Avengers and before that was a transformers movie.
I go to movies at the theater if they were made for 4K+ resolution. If you just have 1080p, then you lose a lot of detail, which is important in movies that peruse more symbolism.
@SlyOne: digiplex in Arizona
[quote=Zoneflare4]I normally go on Tuesdays cause its $5.75 per movie. Yea I know that I could wait but I like to get out of the house and do things. If I was so worried about spending money to do something then I would never leave the house but I love doing things especially going to sporting events.[/quote]
You must live in Canada. And go to Cineplex...
And so do you @cb000 amirite?
Because I'm less of a spendthrift.
And I consider going out to movies with friends/family being "social." Which makes me feel somewhat accomplished. (I mean lolol why invite people over when you can stream a movie right away?)
The movies are a good excuse to get out and go somewhere.
Apart from valuing the experience of seeing a movie in a cinema, I feel that waiting for home viewing deprives me of the opportunity to get in on many of the discussions people are having when the film is new. To me, a good movie is one that is thought-provoking, and I always have an intense urge to have some kind of dialogue about a great film I've just seen. People are less inclined to talk about movies that have been out for awhile.
On a lesser note, I take a lot of pride in supporting arthouse cinemas that play movies outside of the Hollywood mainstream. They play stuff that I may not even know about otherwise. There are some movies that do break out of limited distribution and into the big Regal theatres (I remember Pan's Labyrinth finally coming to a Regal a few months after I'd seen it) but there are others that never see the light of wide distribution because they don't make enough money.
Only with friends, and only when we can get together during a time with $5 tickets.
I normally go on Tuesdays cause its $5.75 per movie. Yea I know that I could wait but I like to get out of the house and do things. If I was so worried about spending money to do something then I would never leave the house but I love doing things especially going to sporting events.
Well it's mainly fun to go out with friends to the movies. I wouldn't bother going to the theater if I was by myself. Also if it's a long awaited action movie then I would definitely want to see it on the big screen.
@xtripled Yeah when I do go to the movies, it's usually during the day when it's about $5 a ticket. But, that means $10 for two people (i.e. my sig other who I share a budget with). And a BluRay rental would be $5 no matter how many people saw it.
@HastyHeist good point. I was gonna say that's pretty much the only other reason is to have something to do with a bunch of friends.
@Chema TOO TRUE. I hate those damn movie commercials that are like THIS MOVIE WAS NOMINATED FOR 13 OSCARS GO WATCH IT NOW.
u know how ppl say, "let's go to the movies?" it gives them something to do, a way to kill time outside of home. 'specially for teenagers. and for that reason i hate going to the movies. too many obnoxious, boisterous teens screaming and throwing popcorn.
watching movies at home, in the comfort of my bed/couch, is more preferable to me. more intimate too if ur w/ a date ;-)
where i live, we get 50% off tuesdays so it's like $5 for one movie. + it gives me something to talk about with my friends, as well as another reason for us to get together. Most of my friends go to different universities than i do so we don't get to see each other as much as we would like.
Also i only watch the movies i really want to watch, the ones that i just want to watch i wait for it to be leaked online. I would say for every 10 movies i want to watch, i only see 2-3 in theaters.
Well of course it's NOT worth it, cuz you can just wait until it comes out on bluray/DVD and rent it from Blockbuster or something. I think people watch movies in theaters for the sake of hanging out with their friends; or maybe they have nothing better to spend their money on; or maybe they like watching movies in theaters.
[url=http://theoatmeal.com/comics/reasons_watch_movie]basically what you said[/url]
Some movies have a better experience when watched on large theater screens, while others can be just as good at home. I'd prefer watching it at home overall.