Thank you to MUBI for sponsoring this video. MUBI Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts, and I’d also recommend checking out MUBI GO. With GO, MUBI subscribers get a free cinema ticket every week to see the best new films in theaters. MUBI GO is available in the UK, India, Germany, and select US cities. Learn more at mubi.com/go. And as always, my viewers can get 30 days of MUBI free at mubi.com/eyebrowcinema

As an ADHD viewer theaters are the best way to really force myself to pay attention to the director's and writer's intentions. Shout-out to regal for their cheap unlimited membership

I felt very privileged when I was able to watch as many movies in theaters this year more than I have before. No matter if I was in a theater with over a hundred people or just by myself, I have had unique and pleasant experience each with unique movies. It’s definitely become a bias but sometimes the smallest scale movies give me the most effective spectacle. After this year, I will forever have love for the cinema.

As someone who worked in the same movie theater pre- and post-Covid, I can tell you that they’ll never be obsolete. Covid, streaming, video/DVD, and TV have all given them a run for their money and they may never be as popular as they once were, but they’re impossible to kill

i recently took my son to his first movie the other day (lyle lyle crocodile) and he had a wonderful time. i hope we're able to keep doing it for a long long time

5 years ago I was living in Chicago and got to see a 35mm print of Lawrence of Arabia, my first time seeing it. I was blown away, it made blu ray look like a home movie on an old phone. My dad got himself a 75 inch tv and I watch the 4k of that movie on it. It comes close but it still doesn’t suck you in and make you feel like you’re wandering the desert with Peter O’Toole

one thing you didn't mention that I love going to the theatre for is the audience reaction. The subtle squeal of someone nearby as tension rises on screen. The roar of laughter when a joke lands. I live for this stuff.

The social contract of the theatre is honestly so amazing as well. Knowing you're immersing yourself alongside others, often complete strangers, is fun! Everyone tends to agree that you have to be polite as a moviegoer. We end up reacting more honestly, without thinking, in the theatre under this social contract. Those honest reactions can really help to enhance the experience. I can think of more times when an audience enhanced a movie when I went to the theatre rather than distract or ruin the movie experience. One such example was during Get Out. During a loud car crash, a patron dropped her m&ms all over the hard floor, scattering it across the floor. In the split second, the sound of spilling candies was startling, and the entire audience gasped at that. Upon realizing what had happened, in the few moments before sight returned to the screen, we all laughed, but then were immediately drawn back into the story, our moment of relief dissolved right away as we remember that our characters are still in danger. Another example I love and talk about a lot is when I watched Searching. There's a very specific twist that happens during the third act that flips everything that had happened so far on its head. It's just a simple image of a person on screen. And in that split second on that reveal, a woman a few rows in front of me whispered to herself her honest and immediate reaction: "That. BITCH." The very same reaction that so many of us in the theatre were also thinking. Sometimes those little moments an audience causes that pull you out are just a reminder of the power of cinema, a small token of the shared empathy of a group of strangers to what they're all seeing on screen. That's magical

The first decade of my life I lived less than a block away from my local theater, I could see it from my front door. It’s been 15 years or so since it closed. I dream about reviving it sometimes. I’ve only seen one film in a theater since Covid, I miss it.

Earlier this year, I ran a screening event at my college's movie theater that was dedicated to box office or critical flops -- movies like Year of the Dragon, Lifeforce, 1941, The Black Dahlia, The Lone Ranger, Sorcerer, Radioland Murders, etc. And they all, across the board, were incredible experiences in a theater, to the point where the few people who showed up for the screenings all enjoyed them! It was so wonderful to sit in a theater and not only see these films get a great treatment, but get great reactions from an audience. And this was purely because seeing them in a theater gave the movies the best possible look and sound they could have. Anyone who says the theatrical experience doesn't make a difference, or is worthless, or is "elitist," has no idea what they're talking about.

Personally, I’m someone who likes seeing a film or play with other people I don’t know. I feel like the prevalence of streaming is partly a symptom of people just not wanting to interact, but I found it important to share an experience like this. People still travel on Public Transport. People still go out to restaurants despite takeaways being quick, easy and cheap. Streaming compared to cinema, is like comparing ordering a Pizza to be delivered, to eating one in an authentic restaurant.

I recently saw the newest Evangelion movie in a theater, and let me tell you, watching the film with a bunch of other Evangelion fans around me was a much more interesting experience than just watching it by myself at home on Amazon Prime

Worst thing about streaming is the fact that they have different movies based on your location and some streaming platforms don’t even exist in some countries. I would love to have something like like Criterion Channel or have the full catalog of movies on Mubi, but unfortunately I don’t live in an area where that is available. Watching a specific movie through streaming is a frustrating hunt and I don’t really want to rely on piracy in order to see some films.

A great video essay. A love letter to the theatre. I see it a bit differently. The death of the multiplex is not something I mourn, I rejoice with the rebirth of the single screen, independent theatre. This is where movies can and should be enjoyed. These places do a magnificent job of showing some smaller first run movies but also on more historic movies (such as Apocalypse Now) in the way they were meant to be seen. Again, I really enjoyed your honesty and longing for a place that is built for a single function - to watch movies. Greetings from Hamilton, Ont. :)

One aspect I missed is, while not all cinemas offer it, theaters are where you can see movies on film. I have a local theater that solely uses analog projectors, and seeing movies like Ugetsu, Basic Instinct and Pink Flamingos, as well as some movies from the archive that do not exist in digital form is also a complete pleasure. I am given a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a movie that is 40-50 years old and only exists on this roll of film that is being projected (hopefully they do put in an effort to save this treasure in digital form though despite copyright limitations). Most of these small cinemas are also WAY cheaper than the mainstream alternatives showing current cinema, in the case above I am paying 100 bucks for a year membership with free access to 2-300 unique screenings, curated by some of the most knowledgeable movie nerds out there, and often accompanied by some sort of introduction. Also, no ads, movie starts the minute it is supposed to from complete silence in a dark room.

One of my favorite things to happen this year is getting a job at Regal (which come a few days at the time I’m writing will be returning for winter break). While it has its downs with audience being pretty annoying sometimes but I love seeing new movies in the theaters so it was almost a dream job. Now I’ve been guilty of not seeing a mid budget movie during its theatrical run and waiting until streaming (recently with Banshees of Insherin, which is now my favorite movie of 2022) but I take into account circumstances as school is often busy. Obviously movie theaters is often a privilege that not everyone can have the chance to go often. But it’s sad to see the film industry and even filmmakers such as the Russos (whose Marvel films have made huge bank at the box office mind you) turn their back on theaters. Seeing movies such as Fabelmans, EEATO, Glass Onion, Top Gun Maverick, Nope and even re releases of Jaws and Avatar reminded me why I love the theatrical experience. Great video to end the year off on Dan. Here’s to more videos in 2023

In general everything is getting expensive for every day people. And more and more movies and entertainment feels like it's geared at those who have money. Support your local theater, find out when their cheap days are and go.

Another point in favor of the theater is the different emotional experience of watching a film while being peripherally aware of other people's emotional responses to it (laughs, groans, cheers, gasps etc.). This can be especially powerful for comedies, horror movies, and thrillers.

"My theater experiences have almost always been pleasant" *Insert joke about Canadians being more polite than most people*

The Last Picture Show. Now I'm not quite that old but the town I grew up in, population 300, had a theater. It closed down when I was in grade school. The town 20 miles to the north, pop 400, kept their theater open for 10 more years. Another 20 miles north that small town had a drive in theater. I think it stayed open for a couple more years. Well you get the picture :). In the western united states almost every town had a theater and almost all of them have been closed for 30 years. I certainly agree with all your points. The theater experience is far superior to home viewing. But if there is a point to my rambling is that the closing of some theaters has happened before and wonderful movies were kept being made.

It’s crazy to me because films are still the center fold for a lot of people in life. Everyone I talk to on a daily basis is talking about about movie they just watched or rewatched. In my break room the other day an older lady asked me if I’ve seen the new knives out because she adored it. There’s a market for good movies that are mid and even low budget but in a world where capitalism ravages our everyday life, art then suffers for it.

Love it. I would go with the alternate title though: Why Movie Theaters Still Matter. Better for the algorithm, ya know?

I believe that even if streaming services completely push theaters out of the picture, (pun intended) theaters will never die. Think of a future 20 years from now, when theaters are a thing of the past, and the only option is to stream it at home. Based on the notion that most media runs off of nostalgia, I believe that people will want to see the return of theaters, and will seek out that experience one way or another. But maybe that's wishful thinking.

If counting the cost of internet access towards streaming then it should also be fair to count the cost of transportation towards going to the cinema. Those costs are also affected more greatly by those living in rural areas. Speaking off, the rosey way you're describing the cinematic experience tells me you've mostly experienced cinema in a big city, is that correct? Not on a wooden chair in someones garage watching Windows media player on a projector from Best Buy. That's the cinematic experience for some people out in the boonies, I've experienced it first hand. Then yeah, I'd rather do that at home in bed. Also I get the impression this video is mostly from the perspective of watching a movie by yourself, as the dynamic can change drastically if you share a movie with someone else or with a group. Both of those scenarios I cans see both lean in favor for and against going to a cinema vs staying at home on the couch. Netflix and chill isn't very appreciated in public, unless in a very select types of cinemas...

I live in a small town which is about an hour and a half from the closest independent theatre and even then I'm trying my best to go as much as I can. Watching Iñárritu's Bardo on the big screen was an unique experience that wouldn't be the same at home on Netflix. Thanks for this celebration of the moviegoing experience.

I was an international student in Canada for almost 6 years and now I'm a year into my study in Ireland. And through it all, I've always been an avid movie goer. In Canada I was younger, my late teens and early twenties. I hated going to the movie theatre alone because I had a lot of things I hadn't unpacked in therapy yet. In fact, the closest friends I made in college was BECAUSE if the theatre. We were the only people in class who lived in Scarborough and so we decided to see movies together as often as we could. As students in illustration hoping to get into animation, we tried to see what we could. The movie experience alo e is really intimate. You get to learn what makes each other cry, or laugh more than usual. The carpools home as you discuss the movie and the way the another people in the theatre reacted. Here in Ireland, there are 3 major theatre chains, and 2 of them have monthly membership deals. Omniplex has a €15 deal where you get to see each movie once as part of the deal, and then you pay regular price for repeat viewings. I'm an Odeon limitless member. At Odeon, limitless let's you see whatever as many times as you want for €17, and I've been doing it consistently since the 1st week of August if this year. I go there so much I'm on a firstname basis with most of the staff and 2 of the managers. They even make my milkshakes with extra ice cream. I go alone because I've learned that if you wait for friends, you might never see what you want. I'm in a new environment and my closest friends are back in Canada. Going to see a movie in the cinema is so wo derful because it gets you out if the house. I'm an animated person, so I always ask random people I saw the film with on their thoughts after the credits roll. The communal experience if a film is so good. Also, odeon is the only chain here that consistently shows fringe anime films and indie productions. I also have ADHD so I always get distracted no matter how good a film is. I also have severe 2nd hand embarrassment so I will pause a movie when things get too tense. I love that I can never pause a film in the cinema and forgo external distractions. With Limitless sometimes I see an average of 2-4 movies a week! I can get there in the morning and leave at night after 2 or maybe even 3 viewings. All in all, the theatre is precious to me and I hope it never goes anywhere. Thank you for this video.

Thank you for this video. Yours is not the first bemoaning the eroding of the cinema experience over the last few years but it's one of the better ones. I'm 57, and the defining moment in my adolescence was probably seeing Star Wars on the big screen at 11. I saw it several times - it was the first movie I saw more than once in a theater, but it was far from the last. It made me fall in love with movies. When I went away to college in 1983 to Chicago, a much vaster world of film opened up to me - slowly, as I didn't get really serious about it until 1988 or so. From that year until I moved to a small town elsewhere in 2000, I'm fairly sure I saw at least 100 films every year in a theater - and much of that time I worked in video stores. One year I broke 300 films seen, my personal best. Since 2000 and especially since 2013 when I moved to a city with very little to offer movie-wise, my viewings are much more often home viewings. But I still make the effort to go out - the best home viewing experience still doesn't come close to me to seeing something in a theater, for many of the reasons you cite. Nearly all of my favorite few films are ones I saw on the big screen, many of them multiple times, including my current favorite, a little 2016 musical that won Best Picture for about a minute, which I saw 12 times. The last time it was introduced by it's writer-director, and showed in 35mm, and that might be the best moviegoing experience in my life. Nothing watched streaming or on BD on a 40 or 60 or even 120" screen at home can match seeing a perfect print (with even better sound than picture, frankly) in a packed auditorium with an audience that is totally enthusiastic and yet able to stay quiet throughout (well, except for the funny parts). The communal experience - the whole notion of community itself - is decaying as we all sit in our homes and sit in bars or restaurants or on seats in trains, on our phones, ignoring the rest of the world. We need movie theaters more than ever.

Something you didn’t mention is how an audience can make a movie even better. I love jackass forever but couldn’t watch it in theaters. Few months later I got my hands on the Blu-Ray, slapped that thing on my TV and laughed my ass off. But I can’t deny that the movie would have been better with a live audience, hearing other people laugh or go “ooooooooh” in pain after watching some crazy stunt. An audience can take an already good movie and turn the experience of watching it into a permanent memory

Watching this video at a time when my local theaters are closing down for good, with only one from a monopolistic theater chain that gathers tons of disgusting patrons, almost no different than actual pigs, as my sole option, just makes me utterly depressed.

I think one of the major reasons watching a movie in a theatre is good is because there it is a shared experience. At our core, that's what humans love to do, do things in a group. Sure you can go on twitter or reddit and see what other people think of a movie but nothing beats sitting down with an audience and feeling the reaction in real time. It creates social evidence which can help you understand a movie better too. Much like comedy, that atmosphere can't be recreated in the living room (unless you have a theatre sized living room, in which case ignore this. )

Imagine watching Top Gun: Maverick for the first time and it's on a fucking home TV that's a fraction the size of a theater screen. Sure it's still a good movie, and you'll still get that "WOOOOOO!" sensation whenever we're in the cockpit, but there's something unique about that experience being writ large, in a dark isolated environment with virtually zero distractions.

It's not just phones. I live in an apartment in L.A. that is near both a fire station and a hospital. On top of that there has been an uptick in street racing and street takeovers. On a daily basis I have had the sound of helicopters, sirens, revving engines drown out what ever I was watching. I also live with another person who likes to talk. Lots of times I have to go to my room an watch my personal TV and even that's not a complete sanctuary for a viewing experience. My two favorite theaters are only walking distance from where I live and subject to the same outside distractions but, they are built to maximize the viewing experience.

Though less spectacular than what's offered by theatre chains, I find publicly funded movie theatres quite the gift. They're considerably cheaper, and their movie selection tends to be a bit more interesting (arthouse fiction, documentaries, the ocassional commercial hit). The movie theatre experience is still worth it. Specially for smaller movies, or older movies.

We appreciate all your effort and hard work. God bless you.

10:21 The argument against theater going isn't just the monetary expense, (including having to pay for gas and exorbitant prices for food you could get much cheaper from the grocery store) but the time expense as well. Once you factor in the time spent traveling to and from the theater, especially on weekday evenings because that's when most working people will have the most time to do so, it's more time efficient to just watch those movies from the comfort of your own home.

God I miss living somewhere that is near a movie theatre, but the closest ones are in other cities two hours away. When I am moving I will certainly look for a place that has movie theaters >__

When it comes to distractions at home, you can think of it like your listen to your favorite song at the best part and then you get a notification that cuts of the sound at the best moment. The song becomes less impactful and the power of the song can be lost.

I've always loved the movie theatre, not only as the best way to be immersed in a film, but also as a nice sort of tradition or ritual with family. Especially with family who I don't see as much, but we would always go see a movie in theatres together.

Hearing that idiotic Joe Russo comment dismantled so precisely, with evidence, was something I didn’t know I needed. Fantastic video.

I think what has bothered me recently has been movie buffs talking about their home theater and how it's much better than an actual theater. I don't have the privilege of having a home theater. I live with other people so it's rare that I get to watch whatever movie I want on the TV without distractions (people walking past and talking to me, my cat making noise, me thinking about snacks, me worrying about how loud the TV is or if there is anything inappropriate others can hear). I usually end up watching movies alone in my room on a laptop, but there are still distractions. Theater is a way for me to go into the movies and not think about a single thing. Not to mention, I love the feeling of watching a film with other people there are there for that very reason. I saw the first 2 godfathers three times steaming on our TV, but seeing them when they came to the alamo drafthouse was completely different. I loved hearing 20 people react to scenes along with me. Watching this video made me even more upset that I wasn't able to catch Tar in theaters!

Unfortunately, having to suffer “the public” will never make a movie theater worth it. The second a stranger rustles or reacts, it completely breaks my immersion.

I can't control what is good for other people, but I love seeing a movie in cinema. Home viewing does not compare.

If a movie I am interested in seeing is coming to my local theater I’ll make sure that on opening night I’m seating

I think the issue that many have with the cinema is the necessity. “Why do I need to go drive 15 minutes to go see a movie that’ll probably be out in a month on some streaming service?” The cinema used to be a place where you could truly experience a movie. What’s the point of a film being filmed with celuloide if it’s just going to be projected on a digital projector? Hell some aren’t even being projected at the best quality. I’ve heard stories of blu ray screens popping up because of a connection error. I mean can you believe that?! You pay ten dollars just to watch something that’s the same quality of the films that you can rent for free at your local public library?! Cinemas need to put in more effort for their theater experience. Independent and small theater chains understand this. They host film festivals, events, special screenings, and may even provide waited table service. If every movie theater put as much effort as the smaller cinema chains then the cinema would still be a great weekend plan. If it was me I’d like to see film projectors return as a special format like IMAX. I’d also like to see the seating made more comfortable as many theaters like AMC have stuck to having plastic flip chairs with thin cushioning that kills your back if you’re watching a two hour movie. If Cinemas are expecting people to return they need to know that we expect them to deliver a better experience worth our time and money.

I love going to the movie theater, it's like a sanctuary, unfortunately times were tough this year and I've barely gone in the last 6 months (I've also gotten rid of all of my streaming service subscriptions at the same time). I used to have AMC A-List and I'd regularly use the 3 "free" films a week limit, hopefully I'll be in a position to get it again sometime next year because I truly miss it.

I am still so mad Prey (the predator one) was only on disney plus, I went from hyper excited to see it because I always wanted to get into the predator movies to "eeeeh I can't be fucking bothered" I know I could pirate it but that just feels less, I so badly wanted to see it on a larger screen then a big tv

To be fair, my TV is very easy to format to view a film as intended, or I can play with the settings as I like! I feel I’ve found the best way for me to view from home frequently, but where I live I’ve always had to view the classics at home. Only two local theaters and only one RARELY plays anything that isn’t actively showing or just released.

Something I've often found to be the biggest distractions when watching movies are two things, roommates and outside noise. When I used to live with my mother and brother, I'd have to turn the volume up, wear headphones, or wait for a time of day where both make less noise. I also had to put up a do not disturb sign to avoid them coming in my room at random moments. Outside noise is also a huge distraction from time to time. It ranges from sirens, construction work, people shouting, or loud weather. I tell ya, having your immersion ruined when watching a great movie is extremely frustrating. When it comes to disruptive patrons at the movie theater, I've only found it at its worst on the weekends. If there's a big blockbuster release that has the potential of huge spoilers, then I'll go on a Thursday at the earliest screening I can attend. Other than that, going on a weekday is the best way to get immersed in a movie. There typically aren't a lot of other people there, so the chances of interruption are lowered. Mondays and Wednesdays are usually the best days to attend from my experience.

I'd love to see more movies in theaters, but I am definitely one of the people who is turned off by rude moviegoers. I don't go to the theater that often, but when I do it's not uncommon for at least one person in the audience to be inconsiderate and ruin the experience. Probably the worst incident is when I went to see Frozen 2 and some guy brought his kids to see it. The kids were well behaved, it was actually the adult that was the issue. Dude kept falling asleep and loudly snoring. His kids were embarrassed and woke him up several times. Like, the movie theater is a freaking daycare and you can't just take a damn nap. If he didn't want to sit through the movie, then he should have gotten a babysitter to take them. Not to mention other times I have gone where people light up their row checking their phones or talking throughout the movie. Maybe it's just theaters in my area, but I have a sneaking suspicion that my kind of experience is not uncommon and turns a lot of people off to potentially wasting $15 on a movie ticket...

A good example of a small scale film that was just completely immersing when I saw it in the cinema earlier this year and did not have the same effect when watching at home (while still an amazing watch that I would recommend to everyone)-- Boiling Point.

I actually prefer streaming because I like watching films with subtitles. most movies aren't offered with subtitles in the theaters. also, everyone else in the theatre ruins the movie going experience for me. between people using their phones during the movie or laughing/screaming loudly throughout, it ruins it for me

There've been plenty of movies I've seen at home that I wish I had seen in theaters. I've never seen a movie in theaters and wished I had seen it at home.

i recently calculated the price of tickets at my local cinemas and the amount of ads said cinemas show + their selection of films. i came to the conclusion that the most popular cinema in my city has by far the most expensive tickets and the most ads. this may contribute to the somewhat negative public perception that cinemas have received. meanwhile the opposite is true, the cheapest cinema in my city offers the best selection and the least ads. in short, support smaller cinemas.

My local Cineworld in England mainly screens Bollywood now. Honestly, there's been periods of times where 80% of screenings are Bollywood. Then when a comic book film comes out, it's there for WEEKS on end. All those smaller films, those horrors, dramas, etc get maybe one or two days at my cinema or, most likely, don't get screened at all. If Cineworld wants to do better, maybe they should screen something for everyone, not just one specific group. So many locals have begun complaining about it now.

As an adult film lover, I find it dispiriting that I go to the movies so rarely. Most American films that make it to the cinema are aimed at 12 year old boys. And digital projection makes me feel like it's just like TV, only bigger.

I used to love movie theatres before cell phones. Now all it is is everyone turning on annoying phone lights becasue no one can sit still for an hour and a half any more and everyone is too lazy to get up and go out side of the theatre the way your supposed to when you need to use youe phone. and yes that does count checking the time. anything that turns on the light. I honestly cannot stand paying money to watch movies outside my home anymore because of this. I also found out that bed bugs can be on the seats. Plus C-vid ive just given up. It used to be my favorite thing. :(

I pay 22-23 dollars a month for AMC A-list and I'm about to watch 3 movies a week. pretty sweet deal.

MCU slander for the win

I will say that as someone that likes to collect movies in high definition and 4k blu ray, with a big 4k oled and surround sound, that my experiences going to two local independent theaters in my area have far surpassed watching movies at home by a lot. While watching mission impossible and blade runner in 4k at home was a great experience, seeing both in theaters was an experience that blows former out of the water. From the packed audience and good air conditioning, to the great picture and sound from the 40th anniversary screening at the little theater, to seeing mission impossible from a 35mm print at the Dryden theater in the third to front row, the home theater can’t compare to a quantity theater experience no matter how hard you try to emulate it. It needs to be preserved and experienced by more people.

This video pretty accurately sums up my opinions on the theatrical experience. Great job

This year, I've seen more movies in theaters than the last 5 years combined. I used to go like once a year if I was lucky, but now that I have greater interest in cinema, and can haul myself to any movie without depending on what my parents wanted to watch, I find it a genuinely fun experience. Watching movies on the big screen, with the sound blasting and eating home smuggled popcorn made by my best friend, love her so much. Even if it's just me in the theater, it's the way I want to experience every movie if I could

I'm pretty sure you confused megabits for megabytes. I think one of the reasons of the success of streaming is convenience: no need to go out of the house, find a parking space, annoying people, etc. And generally speaking people don't care much about quality. Whenever I read that HD TVs were such an instant success I think " HD TVs weren't a success, FLAT TVs were an instant success. So many people were watching analog SD broadcasts in the wrong aspect ratio yet they were happy because the TV was flat.

I absolutely love the cinematic experience - feel very lucky and priviliged to live near the National Media Museum here in the UK that regularly shows new releases and older films - definitely improves my experience in a way that being at home wouldn't. I am aware that it isn't as easy for other people to get that thought; I'd love to try and make that experience as universal as possible!

I'm lucky as where I live there is a small one screen theater that doesn't show a lot of new movies they play older ones using whatever means possible I'll admit it's a little bit hipstery for my taste but everyone is very respectful and is definitely a fan of film I'm happy that I was able to watch movies like the thing and the king and I in a theater setting I was even able to watch del Toro's Pinocchio in that theater it is probably my favorite place where I live and I try to support it as much as I can

This is why I shit you not, I went to see Glass Onion THREE times in theaters in the week it was out. I find it so weird that studios just have a weird obsession with seeing theater numbers decline and I hope 2023 gets back to pre covid yearly numbers

Great video with profound insights. Long live cinema

You brought up some good points but it felt like you pointed out way more of the negatives of home streaming than the cons of theater viewing. You briefly mentioned that sometimes you'll be in a theater with noisy people, but that was about it. A huge issue is not being able to pause the film at all. I know a lot of people would have the attitude of "the movie demands your attention" but if you have to go to the restroom really bad it can completely take you out of a movie, forcing you to either miss some scenes or have your mind somewhere else, (which at that point is equivalent to checking your phone or any other distraction you'd have at home) Or if you become super thirsty but didn't plan ahead you'll have to miss some of the movie to buy or get a drink. Not to mention if you or a friend ends up falling asleep during the movie. (have had multiple friends do that) if that happens you gotta buy another ticket if you really want to experience what you missed. That or just have a friend describe it, which is worse than being able to re-watch it at home.

I think it cannot be minimized, the importance of experiencing a film with other people - with a big audience or strangers. Their laughter is infectious. Their screams of terror and gasps heighten each moment. They vibe, you vibe, we all vibe. And that's something that cannot be reproduced at home - that feeling like you all just witnessed something, lived through something.

I think it's time to accept that both ways can be quite good. I don't think it helps to demonize either one anymore. If anything, I wouldn't mind moviegoing becoming a bit more of a "luxury" if it means really high quality movie theaters more readily available. I've reached the point where I'm at "go for what you prefer", and I've gone from 70/30 at home to about 95/5 at home.

I always remember movies better when I see them in a theater.

I was never allowed to go to theaters as a kid so now as an adult its a mind blowing and awe inspiring experience. I’m probably the only person on earth that gets goosebumps from Nicole Kidmans AMC ad.

Great video as usual! I wanted to point out something that I've been thinking about lately. I live in a small town that is 30 minutes away from the closest cinema, and all of the theaters within a 1 hour radius are multiplexes. This means that it's very difficult for me to actually watch movies that I'm interested in, and it's even more difficult now due to some personal circumstances. For people like me, streaming, home video, and even pirating are almost the only options. I don't think that going to the cinema is elitist like the Russos, who don't have an ounce of personality even on their takes, since those are feed by the marketing team of whichever company they work for at the time. But it is true that streaming as made films more accesible, and I think that's more important than the ritual of the cinematic experience and the escapism of it all.

Me: Yes I agree, theaters are great. Also Me: *watches movies on my phone*

i just took some mushrooms that would beg to differ with the title

Me and my husband aren't really social, in general. So that part of theaters is never going to appeal to us. The last twenty years or so, we have only watched huge movies in theaters (definitely not all and only those which appeal to us). Also movies like Dune, which are almost made for theaters. Theaters are also quite expensive here and you can only buy their food (popcorn, sure, but you can't bring anything at all in yourself unless you are allergic) too, which are ridiculously expensive. I think they have lost quite a few customers that way. Streaming is much more affordable to people that has less money. Also great for not so social people like me and my husband - we can watch things we love, at home. Sometimes there are movies you just aren't sure if they're worth to go to the theaters for, which can be worth watching via streaming. I'm glad I have access to a stable internet and have absolutely no problems with streaming, no matter if it's on the computer or on the TV. I guess I'm lucky that way. Home viewing can be quite expensive, yes. Even ours can be seen as expensive, but most often things in people's homes aren't all bought at the same time. You buy one thing here and one thing there - not everything at once. Does one count that cost as a monthly cost, or what?

I really like this video! The section about how smaller non-spectacle dramatic films benefitting from the big screen is a great point that I've never seen anyone articulate as well as it is here. I recently saw Tàr at a local indie theater and I definitely think I wouldn't have been as mesmerized by the conversations had I just streamed it. If I viewed it at home I would have been tempted to Google some of the more obscure classical music references rather than just watch it, hanging on every word . Ultimately tho, while the theater is a wonderful irreplaceable experience. I would say a slightly prefer streaming overall, esp if one is a "cinephile" and/or completionist, watching a high volume of films in the theater just becomes exhausting and financially draining if you shell out for each viewing. I also personally like having more control over my viewing environment at home, most theaters frown upon smoking a joint in the audience 😂

When theaters bring back ushers, and enforce a basic social code of conduct so I'm not staring at a dozen people texting and scrolling Twitter on bright lights, only then will I return regularly.

I hate the Russo brothers with every fiber of my being

The video lost me when they compared concession snacks, onto which theaters slap a heavy margin, to regular-ass, but normal-priced, house snacks, and that they're basically the same in the end, and it doesn't matter. Nope, fam. I cannot nope that notion enough.

Scorcese is wrong about marvel movies being like theme park rides. They are more like AMUSEMENT park rides, focused on thrills and scope, the appeal of theme parks is more similar to actual Walt Disney's movies, slow and atmospheric, I'd even compare Stalker, 2001 or Apocalypse Now as being more true to the theme park experience. Edit: Loved the joke though

The Problem is Computer and tv screen technology has advanced considerably since the late 1970s and early 1980s when people used to go to the cinema in droves to watch blockbusters like Star Wars trilogy or Raiders of the Lost Ark or Clash of the Titans and similar type movies. While some of the more affluent people had movie projectors at home or larger tv sets they still preferred to go to the movies compared to the last 25 years where movie going audiences have declined considerably. I am guilty myself of this once upon a time I would take any opportunity to go to the cinema. Its just one of the best experiences you can have with your pants on. I think there are many reasons for this larger tv screens have become affordable for people. Large flat screen tv sets have become affordable and popular giving the viewer a similar experience to watching a movie at the cinema. Though a movie at the cinema is still and always will be the best experience to watch a movie. Computer controlled and hooked up to your computer projectors are cheap and affordable. Smartphones and tablets can give a quite a good movie experience even on thos small screens. People now have so many options to get a good movie experience now due to advances in screen technology in the last 40 years that they do not have to go to the cinema anymore. In last 40 years Cinema prices have gone up considerably even allowing for inflation. Making a once very reasonably and affordable cinema ticket expensive equal to the cost of two large McDonalds big mac meals with drinks. So basically all people has to do is wait six months and they can buy the DVD of the movie and see it at home on their large flat screen tv or home projector. Also but most importantly the quality of the movie fare that Hollywood American movie industry since the mid 1990s dishes out has declined. A more and more reliance on computers and automation and computer generated imagery to make movies. Which doesn't quite have the craft and care and the wow factor that movies like Star Wars or Raiders or Clash of the titans or a Werewolf in London had for example with special effects done the old fashion way by hard working and highly skilled special effects teams somewhere in California or London or some other city in Europe. The special effects additions done on movies in last 25 years is just too obvious and underwhelming for movie going audiences in last 25 years compared with movies that were made the old fashion way with care and the creative craft in late 1970s and 1980s movies where a lot of work countless hours went into just a few seconds of special effects like you see in star wars or raiders but the impact of the effect was tremendous on the big screen. The spirit and wow factor is not quite there in movies of the last 25 years because the audience is not stupid they research the movie making processes especially with availability of the internet they can find out every aspect about a movie and can see the way the older movies were made was far better. The actors of older movies were also much better especially during the late 1960s,1970s,1980s and early 1990s especially had better more charismatic actors than they had in movies of the last 25 years. Finally if you wait long enough the movie can be downloaded for a fraction of the fee you pay if you saw it at the cinema multiplex these days from the internet and watched on your computer screen, large flat screen or home projector all provide a pretty good movie experience. You put all the factors above its not hard to see why movie going audiences have markedly declined in last 25 years. However if a captivating movie does come out. Like Top Gun with Tom Cruise or the ever popular latest James Bond movie. Audiences would switch off their smartphone screens, their computer and tablet screens and flat screens. Dress up and come to the cinema like in the old days buy popcorn and a drink and watch it with a hundred other people at the cinema just like in the old days. Because despite all these advances in screen technology. The old fashion way is still the best way and most exciting and exhilarating way to watch a movie.

Great video as always Daniel! I already watched it twice. My personal experience with the movie theater is kind of limited. I work so much that I don’t have much time to myself. It’s hard to find time to go to the theater. And also the films I’m into aren’t usually films at the theaters (older films, Golden age films) I have Shudder and Amazon, but I feel at times I’m throwing money away. I barely ever use them. I get like 90% of my movies from the library. I’m one of those people that has a hard time putting their phone down, it’s very addicting. I have ADHD and I find it hard sometimes to just sit still and watch films. I need something in my hands, something to play with, and unfortunately that usually becomes my phone. Recently I have been using theraputty. So I have something to squeeze while I try to concentrate. It’s better than going on my phone, but it’s still not ideal. But a funny thing happened recently. I actually got a chance to go to the theater. And I found I didn’t have the urge to have my hands doing something. Yes my thoughts still did wander a little bit from time to time. But I was more invested because there isn’t any real distractions. Something else I noticed. If I’m watching a film with a friend or family member at home, I feel pressure not to go on my phone. It seems rude and It makes it seem your not interested. Your video just reinforced what I have been thinking lately. How I need to made time to go to the theater. There truly is nothing like it!

This is an excellent video bro. Thank you for putting it together. It’s given me a lot to think about. Can’t wait to head over to the cinemas again.

Thank you for making this beautiful video

Still very much prefer to see movies in the theater

Ya know, this was maybe the only video of yours where I didnt go into it either already agreeing with the premise, or not having an existing opinion at all. In fact, even though I absolutely love your channel and your perspective and analysis of cinema, I admit that I was kind of prepared to roll my eyes at this one. But! Yet again, you present a very convincing argument, and I have come around. I should definitely make a better effort to watch movies in the theater if I plan on watching them in general. Now, if only there was a socially acceptable way for me to go pee while not missing a scene, you'd have a true convert! 😁

amazing video as always

What a powerful video! Well done!

Movie theaters with the latest releases are weighed down by mainstream audiences who only attend blockbuster spectacles, and its been that way since Jurassic Park and Independence Day. I think there is still a place for Draft Houses and Multiplex cinemas however, because of the social vector point.

My particular Regal is doing better good but only due to us mainly only showing Indian movies and the biggest main stream ones. It is very interesting and cool to work at a theater that has slowly become more and more catered toward the foreign market

Well made video 👌👌 Would love to see more videos from you with regards to movie theaters like this one, Basically want more of these type of videos✌️

Great video! I've observed a generational difference when it comes to the appreciation of the cinema experience. I'm not certain how stark the difference may be, but it is troubling. The bottom is, as much as we may try to replicate it at home, the movie theater experience is truly unique. And I do believe it's more than recreation; it's a shared ritual that is analogous to the earliest of human group social interactions. To take it away, is in a sense depriving of us of one aspect of our existence that makes our species special. Oh, and I love the juxtaposition of "Tár," my favorite film of 2022, with "Apocalypse Now"! Was that purely coincidental?

I love the theater since my hyperactive mind has an incredibly hard time focusing on a movie at home. Especially alone and I have had to rewatch a lot of films to fully appreciating them. This problem is diminished when I’m watching with my fiancé though, since I for some reason find it easier to hyper focus on the film when I’m with someone else, but it’s no substitute for the theater.

What a lovely analysis of the cinema and how our viewings have evolved. I thoroughly enjoyed watching 😊

I used to keep checking my phone while watching movies at home, but I managed to stop that, now I always focus on the movie (I leave my phone in a different room).

Agreed with everything you said. But for those of us here in the Middle East, almost all of it is negated. We have especially annoying and disruptive people who ruin your experience. I had a Qatari guy facetiming a movie to someone behind me who wouldn't shut the fuck up. When I reported him, the ushers did nothing because he was Qatari, and they didn't want to risk pissing him off out of fear of the old "I'm Qatari and I'll have you deported" comeback. And there has been something like that in nearly every movie I have seen here since 2009. Not to mention the biggest deterrent, censorship. 1 hour ripped out of Wolf Of Wall Street, 30 minutes gutted from Conan, every curse word literally cut out of Hell or Highwater, the kiss from Alitta Battle Angel cut out. Yes, all kissing, bikinis, nudity or anything remotely sexual is cut out. Don't even get me started on Movies like Deadpool 2 where celebrities willingly provide dubs for the censorship of their own films. So, yes, the cinema is my church, nut over here it is a waste of time and money. What is funny is I did the compete opposite of this video over on my channel, Why movie theatres suck lol. If things are great, they don't obviously. But over here, they always do.

I’m gonna be honest when the pandemic was in full blast I remember hearing that theaters would probably go the way of the dodo but when all was said and done and I went back for the first time and I remembered that feeling I’m sad that theaters are dying out and there’s probably nothing I can do about it 2 major theaters I used to go to just closed for good

Beautiful video

Me having to pirate Moonage daydream while seeing bs as Beast highjacking the cinema

Just something to try and boost your algorithm. Happy Holidays!