Why are movie ticket sales slumming? - Blu-ray Forum

tron3 · 05-05-2008, 09:56 PM

There are lots of factors which slow down movie ticket sales. In my humble opinion, it is because most movies can suck the chrome off a car bumper. These are just "throw away" films designed to create some cash flow.

As I recall from a poll on this site, very few people actually take to doing all their movie watching on dvd or blu-ray. People still want to go out.

In contrast, family friendly hit films like Finding Nemo always do well. Even if the movie is so-so the sheer number of families flocking to theaters still make for good numbers.

You know why catalog titles of 20+ years ago are so popular? It's not because the special effects are great. Though in some cases, they are spectacular. It is because they were REAL. There wasn't as much of that "in your face" politically correct crapola. If people want to be preached to, they will turn on Billy Graham.

Sure, ticket prices are high, the price of a popcorn and soda are ridicules, but I still feel audiences hate having this PC stuff shoved down their throat. I know I do.

What is your 2 cents?

Deadset · 05-05-2008, 09:58 PM

Yeah, I get tired of preachy movies. We don't go out as much b/c of many factors, mostly I tend to get pissed off more due to the lack of respect from others in the theater than enjoy the movie. When we do go out, it's a late run of the film, for example, we saw Beowulf in the 4th week it was out, only about 10 people there that night. Plus, I just love my home setup.

bkbluray · 05-05-2008, 10:44 PM

Very true. It's usually easier to watch a classic again than to take a risk of seeing a crappy movie in the theatres.

I love a good, non-preachy, entertaining film such as "Transporter 2" which I really enjoyed as one of my five free Blu-rays

It did a good job of being a fun movie without being heavy. Not that it's one of my top 10 or anything, but it's a good example of what to do in a good action movie.

I love knowing that I'm going to watch a fun movie like that.

GreenScar · 05-05-2008, 10:49 PM

There are a lot of problems. First and foremost it's the quality of what's coming out. A lot of good movies don't even get a wide enough release to do anything (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford). The other problem is there is just too much. Look at this summer for example. There's a huge budget movie being released every week. In some weeks there are two big movies released this year. It's crazy. There should be at least two weeks between anticipated blockbusters.

BRu-LAy · 05-05-2008, 10:58 PM

For me I can sum it up in two words: CELL PHONES

They either talk on it DURING the movie, or they start texting. The texting gets real annoying because the bright screens are so distracting.

I'd rather watch at home where none of that happens. Thats why I don't go to the movies anymore.

Let me watch my movie in peace. Gracias........

hc666 · 05-06-2008, 12:57 AM

yeah i hate cell phones, youngsters hanging at the theatre and well most movies just suck and they are better to rent than waste lots of money on and be annoyed by the crowd.

owa · 05-06-2008, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRu-LAy

For me I can sum it up in two words: CELL PHONES

They either talk on it DURING the movie, or they start texting. The texting gets real annoying because the bright screens are so distracting.

I'd rather watch at home where none of that happens. Thats why I don't go to the movies anymore.

Let me watch my movie in peace. Gracias........

Yeah, that's pretty much it for me as well. I use to love going to the movies but cellphones pretty much ruined it. Most of time I wasn't enjoying the movie b/c I was sitting there stewing over someone flipping their phone open every 5 minutes. At times I still miss it but it's probably been over a year since I've been so I'm missing it less and less as more time passes. Blu-ray has also helped in that regard.

DetroitSportsFan · 05-06-2008, 12:33 PM

Quality of movies along with quality of other people at the theater makes me want to stay home for the most part.

Xerious · 05-06-2008, 12:42 PM

god i hate high school, preteens, and the like at movie theaters. iron man this weekend a row of 10 of them kept clapping at everything. i almost reach over and choked one of them. and the whole cellphone and texting thing... god for bid you escape the world for 2 hours. turn off your damn mobile! and WHO THE F* brings a BABY to the movies??? babysitter, heard of it?? movie theaters are being beat by home theaters... i rarely make it out to them unless there's a really hyped movie i want to see. otherwise, it's bluray for me. hell, ticket prices and concessions add up to one blu.

moviefan · 05-06-2008, 12:50 PM

Someone please e-mail this thread to all the studios and movie house chains!
I would add:
Locally there have been crowds of teens gathering around some multiplex theaters. Fights and rodyism have occured.
Who wants to subject their family to that?

Mxr5150 · 05-06-2008, 12:57 PM

Answer: Too much Hollywood spew and not enough real substance.

justaguy93 · 05-06-2008, 01:00 PM

As much as people brining infants to 9:00pm Friday night PG-13 movies or people narrating the whole movie to their 5 year olds annoyed me, it was cell phones that proved the final straw for me. Why would I pay $10 + snack costs to sit in a theater full of people who aren't even watching the movie when I have a perfectly good setup at home? Especially considering that by the time I've paid for my wife and I to get into the show I could have bought the movie on Blu-Ray no less and watched it interruption free several times over.

I feel bad for theaters because I'm sure it's near impossible to police that type of thing, but until they figure something out I'm not ruining another movie by seeing it the first time while constantly annoyed.

Steelmaker · 05-06-2008, 01:03 PM

I still enjoy the movie going experience. The main reason I haven't seen as many movies the last couple of years is because there hasn't really been a lot to get that excited about and many of the ones I was anticipating turned out to be disappointing.

The current summer line up gives me hope though. With Iron Man already out and titles like Indiana Jones, Dark Knight, The Happening, Wall E., You Don't Mess With Zohan, The Love Guru, Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D, and Hellboy 2 it looks like we may have a run of really good movies!

tacoreed · 05-06-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xerious

god i hate high school, preteens, and the like at movie theaters. iron man this weekend a row of 10 of them kept clapping at everything. i almost reach over and choked one of them. and the whole cellphone and texting thing... god for bid you escape the world for 2 hours. turn off your damn mobile! and WHO THE F* brings a BABY to the movies??? babysitter, heard of it?? movie theaters are being beat by home theaters... i rarely make it out to them unless there's a really hyped movie i want to see. otherwise, it's bluray for me. hell, ticket prices and concessions add up to one blu.

+1

Ferris · 05-06-2008, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tron3

You know why catalog titles of 20+ years ago are so popular? It's not because the special effects are great. Though in some cases, they are spectacular. It is because they were REAL. There wasn't as much of that "in your face" politically correct crapola. If people want to be preached to, they will turn on Billy Graham.

Tron3, good thread. I think this a great topic to be discusses on a forum like this. With respect to the text I bolded, the "Rhetoric" of film is aggravating, but I think it only appears to those who look for it (I'm one of the ones who usually looks for it). It's really been in films forever (think "Birth of a Nation").

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deads3t

When we do go out, it's a late run of the film, for example, we saw Beowulf in the 4th week it was out, only about 10 people there that night.

My wife and I will generally do the same thing. I just hate the anxiety I get when going to the movies. I always think:
Will I get someone sitting next to me who is too big for their seat?
Will someone sit behind me and kick my chair or rest their feet up aainst it throughout the movie?
Will the adolescents sitting in front of me text away on their phones all movie?
Will the people next to me translate the entire film into a different language through the whole film?

It's just not freaking worth it. I turn into a different person at the theatre during the early runs, and I hate it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRu-LAy

For me I can sum it up in two words: CELL PHONES

Well put.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

The current summer line up gives me hope though. With Iron Man already out and titles like Indiana Jones, Dark Knight, The Happening, Wall E., You Don't Mess With Zohan, The Love Guru, Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D, and Hellboy 2 it looks like we may have a run of really good movies!

I agree here (excluding Hellboy for me though). Indiana Jones and Dark Knight will have the wife and I in the theatre for matinees on opening weekend.

jberry · 05-06-2008, 01:28 PM

There are lots of reasons that my wife and I don't go to movies too much any more.
1 - Babies in the theater that start crying when the sound gets loud, and then the parents don't take it out.
2 - Cell phones where kids are texting through the whole movie.
3 - Kids who don't sit still through the whole movie.
4 - Theaters trying to get people to spend more, so they sell more food with loud wrappers. Try watching a show while the guy next to you is eating a double cheesburger and keeps dripping on himself.
5 - Parents who buy the larger drink for the family to share because it is more economical. Have you ever had the 5 year-old kid behind you dump a 32 oz. drink on you because it was too big for them to handle?
6 - People who don't pay attention, and then ask "what did he say?"

I wouldn't mind paying the $30 for tickets and snacks if I could enjoy the whole show. So, my wife and I now only go to the theater when there is something that we really want to see.

Borris · 05-06-2008, 01:33 PM

Ironman just grossed over $100 million in only 3 days! That proves that there are not slumping ticket sales when there is a quality product. Too bad that so much of what is put out there to woo money out of our pockets is far from quality. Mxr5150 said it best...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mxr5150

Answer: Too much Hollywood spew and not enough real substance.

dieheart · 05-06-2008, 01:40 PM

I would like to add in that there is a certain feeling you get when you have to dress up, take your date , or you kid/family to the movies. I remember my father taking me to see the Lion King, or when I went with a Starwars buddy to see Episode 2 at the theater. As much as I hate all the idiots who do all the things you guys listed, A home theater as grand as it is doesn't replace the movie going experience.

If they actually do get ride of Movie theaters all together, Thats minus one place you have to go hang out with friend, or take your date ( Not every chick will go to your house to watch a movie , especially if you barely know them).

Going to the movies is a big event sometimes (Starwars, Iron man), and no home theater can replace the feeling of sitting with complete strangers, and watching an epic movie.

DetroitSportsFan · 05-06-2008, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieheart

Going to the movies is a big event sometimes (Starwars, Iron man), and no home theater can replace the feeling of sitting with complete strangers, and watching an epic movie.

But many times those strangers can ruin that experience.

aross6 · 05-06-2008, 03:55 PM

For me and my family it's a number of different factors... 1) The picture quality of movie theater films has been far surpassed by the combination of High Definition Televisions and High Definition Media & Media Players (i.e. Blu-ray). Sure, the screen in your home isn't as big as the screen in your local theater, but when you have a 52" (or the like) HDTV sitting in your living room and you're only 7'-10' away, it looks pretty darn Huge. 2.) The Price of movie theater tickets has been and remains to be steadily on the rise for sometime now. It costs $10.50/ticket at our local theater for adults and $7.50/ticket for children. That means if there are two adults and one kid, you're looking at $28.50... easily the price of a new Blu-ray release on Amazon. 3.) Movie theater food is not only expensive as well, it's extremely unhealthy. I mean, we're not health food junkies, but a $0.50 bag of popcorn in your home is a heck of a lot cheaper than a $5.00 popcorn in the theater. 4.) While going out to a social environment such as a theater to watch a movie, the atmosphere has plummeted dramatically in recent years. You can't go to a theater anymore without the gleam of a cell phone while someone is texting, annoying people kicking the back of your chair, or having to give someone a nasty look for thinking it's time to have a conversation about whatever.

All in all, it adds up to the reason that even though the States are in a recession HDTVs and HD players and media sales are holding their own and movie theater ticket sales are taking a dive... at least in my own humble opinion.

05-05-2008, 09:56 PM	#1
tron3 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Aug 2004 Location:New Jersey Blu-ray reviews:3	Why are movie ticket sales slumming? There are lots of factors which slow down movie ticket sales. In my humble opinion, it is because most movies can suck the chrome off a car bumper. These are just "throw away" films designed to create some cash flow. As I recall from a poll on this site, very few people actually take to doing all their movie watching on dvd or blu-ray. People still want to go out. In contrast, family friendly hit films like Finding Nemo always do well. Even if the movie is so-so the sheer number of families flocking to theaters still make for good numbers. You know why catalog titles of 20+ years ago are so popular? It's not because the special effects are great. Though in some cases, they are spectacular. It is because they were REAL. There wasn't as much of that "in your face" politically correct crapola. If people want to be preached to, they will turn on Billy Graham. Sure, ticket prices are high, the price of a popcorn and soda are ridicules, but I still feel audiences hate having this PC stuff shoved down their throat. I know I do. What is your 2 cents? Last edited by tron3; 05-05-2008 at 10:02 PM.

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05-05-2008, 09:58 PM	#2
Deadset Man in the Box Top contributor Member since:Jan 2007 Home Theater Gallery:28 4K collection:247 Blu-ray collection:2478 DVD collection:214 iTunes collection:3 Prime collection:52 Blu-ray reviews: 14 Trading Score:34	Yeah, I get tired of preachy movies. We don't go out as much b/c of many factors, mostly I tend to get pissed off more due to the lack of respect from others in the theater than enjoy the movie. When we do go out, it's a late run of the film, for example, we saw Beowulf in the 4th week it was out, only about 10 people there that night. Plus, I just love my home setup.

05-05-2008, 10:44 PM	#3
bkbluray Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2007 Location:MN Home Theater Gallery:57 Blu-ray collection:185 Blu-ray reviews:25	Very true. It's usually easier to watch a classic again than to take a risk of seeing a crappy movie in the theatres. I love a good, non-preachy, entertaining film such as "Transporter 2" which I really enjoyed as one of my five free Blu-rays It did a good job of being a fun movie without being heavy. Not that it's one of my top 10 or anything, but it's a good example of what to do in a good action movie. I love knowing that I'm going to watch a fun movie like that.

05-05-2008, 10:49 PM	#4
GreenScar Blu-ray Knight Member since:Aug 2007 Blu-ray collection:148 Trading Score:2	There are a lot of problems. First and foremost it's the quality of what's coming out. A lot of good movies don't even get a wide enough release to do anything (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford). The other problem is there is just too much. Look at this summer for example. There's a huge budget movie being released every week. In some weeks there are two big movies released this year. It's crazy. There should be at least two weeks between anticipated blockbusters.

05-05-2008, 10:58 PM	#5
BRu-LAy Special Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Fortress of Solitude Trading Score:46	For me I can sum it up in two words: CELL PHONES They either talk on it DURING the movie, or they start texting. The texting gets real annoying because the bright screens are so distracting. I'd rather watch at home where none of that happens. Thats why I don't go to the movies anymore. Let me watch my movie in peace. Gracias........

05-06-2008, 12:57 AM	#6
hc666 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:7 Blu-ray collection:100 Blu-ray reviews: 26	yeah i hate cell phones, youngsters hanging at the theatre and well most movies just suck and they are better to rent than waste lots of money on and be annoyed by the crowd.

05-06-2008, 12:33 PM	#8
DetroitSportsFan Hot Deals Moderator Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Michigan 4K collection:439 Blu-ray collection:2226 Trading Score:93	Quality of movies along with quality of other people at the theater makes me want to stay home for the most part.

05-06-2008, 12:42 PM	#9
Xerious Special Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Washington, DC Blu-ray collection:238 Blu-ray reviews:4	god i hate high school, preteens, and the like at movie theaters. iron man this weekend a row of 10 of them kept clapping at everything. i almost reach over and choked one of them. and the whole cellphone and texting thing... god for bid you escape the world for 2 hours. turn off your damn mobile! and WHO THE F* brings a BABY to the movies??? babysitter, heard of it?? movie theaters are being beat by home theaters... i rarely make it out to them unless there's a really hyped movie i want to see. otherwise, it's bluray for me. hell, ticket prices and concessions add up to one blu.

05-06-2008, 12:50 PM	#10
moviefan Senior Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Orchard Park, NY	Someone please e-mail this thread to all the studios and movie house chains! I would add: Locally there have been crowds of teens gathering around some multiplex theaters. Fights and rodyism have occured. Who wants to subject their family to that?

05-06-2008, 12:57 PM	#11
Mxr5150 Special Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Indiana Blu-ray collection:74 Blu-ray reviews:10	Answer: Too much Hollywood spew and not enough real substance.

05-06-2008, 01:00 PM	#12
justaguy93 Junior Member Member since:Jan 2008 Blu-ray collection:53	As much as people brining infants to 9:00pm Friday night PG-13 movies or people narrating the whole movie to their 5 year olds annoyed me, it was cell phones that proved the final straw for me. Why would I pay $10 + snack costs to sit in a theater full of people who aren't even watching the movie when I have a perfectly good setup at home? Especially considering that by the time I've paid for my wife and I to get into the show I could have bought the movie on Blu-Ray no less and watched it interruption free several times over. I feel bad for theaters because I'm sure it's near impossible to police that type of thing, but until they figure something out I'm not ruining another movie by seeing it the first time while constantly annoyed.

05-06-2008, 01:03 PM	#13
Steelmaker Blu-ray Duke Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Chattanooga, TN Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	I still enjoy the movie going experience. The main reason I haven't seen as many movies the last couple of years is because there hasn't really been a lot to get that excited about and many of the ones I was anticipating turned out to be disappointing. The current summer line up gives me hope though. With Iron Man already out and titles like Indiana Jones, Dark Knight, The Happening, Wall E., You Don't Mess With Zohan, The Love Guru, Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D, and Hellboy 2 it looks like we may have a run of really good movies!

05-06-2008, 01:28 PM	#16
jberry Junior Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:UT Blu-ray collection:163	There are lots of reasons that my wife and I don't go to movies too much any more. 1 - Babies in the theater that start crying when the sound gets loud, and then the parents don't take it out. 2 - Cell phones where kids are texting through the whole movie. 3 - Kids who don't sit still through the whole movie. 4 - Theaters trying to get people to spend more, so they sell more food with loud wrappers. Try watching a show while the guy next to you is eating a double cheesburger and keeps dripping on himself. 5 - Parents who buy the larger drink for the family to share because it is more economical. Have you ever had the 5 year-old kid behind you dump a 32 oz. drink on you because it was too big for them to handle? 6 - People who don't pay attention, and then ask "what did he say?" I wouldn't mind paying the $30 for tickets and snacks if I could enjoy the whole show. So, my wife and I now only go to the theater when there is something that we really want to see.

05-06-2008, 01:40 PM	#18
dieheart Active Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Texas Blu-ray reviews:1	I would like to add in that there is a certain feeling you get when you have to dress up, take your date , or you kid/family to the movies. I remember my father taking me to see the Lion King, or when I went with a Starwars buddy to see Episode 2 at the theater. As much as I hate all the idiots who do all the things you guys listed, A home theater as grand as it is doesn't replace the movie going experience. If they actually do get ride of Movie theaters all together, Thats minus one place you have to go hang out with friend, or take your date ( Not every chick will go to your house to watch a movie , especially if you barely know them). Going to the movies is a big event sometimes (Starwars, Iron man), and no home theater can replace the feeling of sitting with complete strangers, and watching an epic movie.

05-06-2008, 03:55 PM	#20
aross6 Active Member Member since:Mar 2008	For me and my family it's a number of different factors... 1) The picture quality of movie theater films has been far surpassed by the combination of High Definition Televisions and High Definition Media & Media Players (i.e. Blu-ray). Sure, the screen in your home isn't as big as the screen in your local theater, but when you have a 52" (or the like) HDTV sitting in your living room and you're only 7'-10' away, it looks pretty darn Huge. 2.) The Price of movie theater tickets has been and remains to be steadily on the rise for sometime now. It costs $10.50/ticket at our local theater for adults and $7.50/ticket for children. That means if there are two adults and one kid, you're looking at $28.50... easily the price of a new Blu-ray release on Amazon. 3.) Movie theater food is not only expensive as well, it's extremely unhealthy. I mean, we're not health food junkies, but a $0.50 bag of popcorn in your home is a heck of a lot cheaper than a $5.00 popcorn in the theater. 4.) While going out to a social environment such as a theater to watch a movie, the atmosphere has plummeted dramatically in recent years. You can't go to a theater anymore without the gleam of a cell phone while someone is texting, annoying people kicking the back of your chair, or having to give someone a nasty look for thinking it's time to have a conversation about whatever. All in all, it adds up to the reason that even though the States are in a recession HDTVs and HD players and media sales are holding their own and movie theater ticket sales are taking a dive... at least in my own humble opinion.

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