Why are movie ticket sales slumming?

[Beta Man]

when the economy is slow, or even when people "think" it's slow etc. Things like going out the movies, etc. are substituted for renting/staying at home. Just one of those price-sensitive industries.

[aross6]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

when the economy is slow, or even when people "think" it's slow etc. Things like going out the movies, etc. are substituted for renting/staying at home. Just one of those price-sensitive industries.

Good point... one less movie at the local theater is the equivilant of a tank of gas in the car for the week ya know....

[kuliddar]

There are many issues at the theaters now that makes you want to do anything else but go there. I'm not even talking price issue. We usually just have a coffee while we watch a film at the theaters and thats it. Some of the issues my wife and I have are:

- Too many comedies or horror films that are always the same damn thing with TV series stars thinking they can make it big in Hollywood. Need more action adventure films or suspense thrillers that make it worth while to go to a theater. We hate horror and we will never pay the theaters for a comedy.

- Lack of management at the theaters. No one comes and check anymore if the film is playing alright (in the last 5 films I have seen I had to get up 3 times and tell the guys there was a problem with the film). I find that there is way too much loitering from some people. They don't enforce the "silence" policy that every theater is suppose to have. Which brings me to...

- People I just friggin rude. Comes in late, talks, cellphone rings, brings a newborn to the theaters, etc. In the last 5 years, we have been going less and less because 75% of the time, some a$$ can't shut up.

- Publicity - - I pay enough not to have to watch 20 minutes of publicity only to be followed by another 15 minutes of previews!!! Can I watch my movie for god's sake!!!!

- Smaller release windows : It's no biggy if I miss in the theaters...30 to 60 days later I can watch it at home. This brings me to....

- My home theater : I'm very happy with my setup and now that I have my widescreen TV (love my panny), combined with the reasons above, why the heck should I go to the theaters?

We go there to sit, relax and enjoy a flick. Not to be annoyed out of of our minds or feeling ripped off whatever amount you spent that night. Half of these issues are studio related and the other half, the theaters themselves are directly responsible. Until they both fix this issues, sales will continue to slump.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by aross6

Good point... one less movie at the local theater is the equivilant of a tank of gas in the car for the week ya know....

I was lucky enough to move (and we're talking about another house now) and I went from full tank ever 2.5 days, to every 2-weeks (unless I go out of town etc)

BIG DIFFERENCE, 15 Gallons every 2.5 days vs. 14 days, you do the math!!!! (I get plus, which is currently $3.79 I believe)

We love our neighborhood, but even if we wanted to look in suburbs etc... we wouldn't consider it because of the cost of gas (although our local taxes are steep, but I'd rather pay them than run our cars into the ground every year!)

[aross6]

Originally Posted by kuliddar

There are many issues at the theaters now that makes you want to do anything else but go there. I'm not even talking price issue. We usually just have a coffee while we watch a film at the theaters and thats it. Some of the issues my wife and I have are:

- Too many comedies or horror films that are always the same damn thing with TV series stars thinking they can make it big in Hollywood. Need more action adventure films or suspense thrillers that make it worth while to go to a theater. We hate horror and we will never pay the theaters for a comedy.

- Lack of management at the theaters. No one comes and check anymore if the film is playing alright (in the last 5 films I have seen I had to get up 3 times and tell the guys there was a problem with the film). I find that there is way too much loitering from some people. They don't enforce the "silence" policy that every theater is suppose to have. Which brings me to...

- People I just friggin rude. Comes in late, talks, cellphone rings, brings a newborn to the theaters, etc. In the last 5 years, we have been going less and less because 75% of the time, some a$$ can't shut up.

- Publicity - - I pay enough not to have to watch 20 minutes of publicity only to be followed by another 15 minutes of previews!!! Can I watch my movie for god's sake!!!!

- Smaller release windows : It's no biggy if I miss in the theaters...30 to 60 days later I can watch it at home. This brings me to....

- My home theater : I'm very happy with my setup and now that I have my widescreen TV (love my panny), combined with the reasons above, why the heck should I go to the theaters?

We go there to sit, relax and enjoy a flick. Not to be annoyed out of of our minds or feeling ripped off whatever amount you spent that night. Half of these issues are studio related and the other half, the theaters themselves are directly responsible. Until they both fix this issues, sales will continue to slump.

I agree with everything you said minus 1 point: I don't understand why you differentiate Comidies & Horror Films from the other genres. Personally, I prefer not to pay a theater to see any, but if I go it's usually to one of those. Second, how do TV stars in movies play into the picture? I mean, I'm a dude and it wasn't my choice, but in all honesty 27 Dresses was decent and Katherine Heigl (who is a regular on Grey's Anatomy) did a really good job, as well as other films she has starred in...

[Jesterkeeters]

I hate going to the movies. Why pay $25 for the movies then another $25 on sodas and snacks? I can BUY 3 movies that I know I'm going to enjoy for that. Most movies suck these days and I always have that loud mouthed idiot or the kid who has to text during the movie sitting by me. The whole theatre experience has lost it's edge. Too many idiots on this planet to make my life miserable.....

[kuliddar]

Originally Posted by aross6

I agree with everything you said minus 1 point: I don't understand why you differentiate Comidies & Horror Films from the other genres. Personally, I prefer not to pay a theater to see any, but if I go it's usually to one of those. Second, how do TV stars in movies play into the picture? I mean, I'm a dude and it wasn't my choice, but in all honesty 27 Dresses was decent and Katherine Heigl (who is a regular on Grey's Anatomy) did a really good job, as well as other films she has starred in...

That point was more a personal opinion. To each their own

[Horhay]

Most of the times movie tend to suck and had payed 10 bucks so instead now I just watched movies that I've been waiting for and/or just wait til they are out on Blu/DVD

[Chocolatejas]

Last movie I saw in the theater was Transformers. To take my GF to the movies would cost about $16 for tickets only not to mention popcorn and drinks for an addition $16. I'd rather buy the movie when it releases. It is a cost fact for me at this point.

[dieheart]

- Publicity - - I pay enough not to have to watch 20 minutes of publicity only to be followed by another 15 minutes of previews!!! Can I watch my movie for god's sake!!!

I agree with almost everything you said as far as why , and what makes going to the theaters a sucker experience, but common. When I saw Iron Man, they had some of the best trailers for some of the biggest movies comming out. And they also do that sometimes because some people just dont know what out. Sometimes I see a movie in the previews that I never heard of, and then I want to go see it. It also gives people a little time to take a piss, get a snack, and turn off their cells phons, settle down and shut the **** up

For the record, I only go see movies at the theater that I REALLY want to see. I'd call them AAA titles.

[MasterXeus]

Why are movie ticket sales slumming?

- Lack of quality films - Maybe it’s just me, but I see less and less “Must-see on the Big Screen Movies”

- Short Release Windows – Why go the movies when you can wait a few month and watch it at home.

- Price of Gas- Price just keep raising, which leads to...

- Cost of Living – With Gas prices going up, the cost of living is going up. Unfortunately paychecks are staying the same.

[BRu-LAy]

I've got one way to resolve the cellphone solution. The theaters should install those things that block reception. That way, when you enter the theater, no one will have reception to their phones.

That is, if those things exist.

[Rovic]

Its all the same for me. Cell phones, roudy people all around. The cost isn't too big of a deal to me, but the wife and i decided that we would skip the movie theatre experience for additional BD tittles so thats a big plus for me...

[EricJ]

I believe you mean that ticket sales are SLUMPING, not "slumming":

Last I heard, movie studios were not going over to Blockbuster to giggle over what cheap direct-video titles were on the shelves...

[kuliddar]

Originally Posted by dieheart

I agree with almost everything you said as far as why , and what makes going to the theaters a sucker experience, but common. When I saw Iron Man, they had some of the best trailers for some of the biggest movies comming out. And they also do that sometimes because some people just dont know what out. Sometimes I see a movie in the previews that I never heard of, and then I want to go see it. It also gives people a little time to take a piss, get a snack, and turn off their cells phons, settle down and shut the **** up

For the record, I only go see movies at the theater that I REALLY want to see. I'd call them AAA titles.

Should of been more clear on that point. I don't mind the previews but that combine with the publicity before hand is just too much

[LifeOfAPirate13]

Not to mention the LACK of good movies that are on the same boat as Pirate Of The Caribbean, Shrek, or anything new that everyone MUST SEE. I also blame HORROR movies which have been on a very constant lack since last year. I usually see most of the horror movies in theatres I have not seen one this year...

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by dieheart

I agree with almost everything you said as far as why , and what makes going to the theaters a sucker experience, but common. When I saw Iron Man, they had some of the best trailers for some of the biggest movies comming out. And they also do that sometimes because some people just dont know what out. Sometimes I see a movie in the previews that I never heard of, and then I want to go see it. It also gives people a little time to take a piss, get a snack, and turn off their cells phons, settle down and shut the **** up

For the record, I only go see movies at the theater that I REALLY want to see. I'd call them AAA titles.

I agree with you regarding movie trailers. I LOVE the previews before the movie starts. To me, it's part of the movie going experience and I look forward to them almost as much as the movie itself.

I do hate all of the Coca Cola/Fandango/Cingular/MovieTickets.com commercials though. I was just telling my fiance' the other day, I remember when part of the appeal to going to the movies was not having to see commercials. Granted, they are at the beginning, before the movie actually starts but still.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by BRu-LAy

I've got one way to resolve the cellphone solution. The theaters should install those things that block reception. That way, when you enter the theater, no one will have reception to their phones.

That is, if those things exist.

They do exist, and it would be wonderful if theaters used them.

[Heart&Soul]

I like my home setup better than any theater I've been to. I can wait until the movie comes out on Blu-ray, and if it doesn't, then it doesn't deserve my attention.

[tron3]

Ok, I think I can comprise a list of what would revive the industry.

* Better quality movies with longers runs. (Stop making those throw away pieces of crap!)

* Better theater ticket prices. Higher ticket prices is like raising taxes. Sure, you tax a captive audience, but people spend LESS overall to make up for the increase. Ex: Sneaking in their own snacks which leads me to...

* Better concession prices! I spent $7.50 at Iron Man for a small popcorn, small soda, and a box of gummie candy. For that price at least give me the medium!

* Block cell phone signals - period. Not everyone is going to be courteous. Theaters tolerate a lot of butt heads because they are potential return customers.

There was a story in the news some months ago of a restaurant that banned children under a certain age. While many parents found this upsetting, the business TRIPLED. If the kid doesn't meet the age restriction, the kid can NOT be admitted, even with a parent. If theaters take a new attitude patrons will come back in droves.