Are Movie Theaters Worth It Anymore?
NPR's Bob Mondello and Marc Rivers discuss the relevance of movie theaters in the streaming era and explore what still attracts audiences to the big screen.
Personal Experience at the Theater
Last year, I saw the movie It Ends With Us in a theater.
JUSTIN BALDONI (as Ryle Kincaid): I want to see you again.
BLAKE LIVELY (as Lily Bloom): Now you see me.
BALDONI: You know what I mean.
The film deals with a toxic relationship. I had mixed feelings about the movie, but the viewing experience was awful. A family of five—two adults and three young children—was in the audience. Throughout the movie, they talked, laughed, cried, yelled, played with toys, ate food, left the theater, and returned multiple times. Most distracting was when one of the children shined a flashlight at the screen.
This experience made me decide never to watch a movie in a theater again. Watching at home on the couch, even on a laptop, is easier, quieter, cheaper, and more comfortable, with unbeatable convenience.
The Unique Appeal of Movie Theaters
Still, I understand that seeing a film on a big screen among an audience is very different from streaming on Netflix at home. For this week's discussion, I wanted to hear why and when people believe it’s worth going to actual movie theaters.