Global box-office *might* surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2026

[drb999]

^ Exactly!

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by oneway23

Saturday morning? Probably all still half-asleep

Before the Cereal.

[Jay H.]

The last time the wife and I went to a theater was on a Thursday afternoon. We went to a movie that had been in theaters for several weeks; this assured there wouldn't be very many people in attendance. There was one other person in the theater. They sat in our row, several seats down. During the movie's climax, their phone rang - loudly. They answered it, and began having a conversation - loudly. I told them to hang up, which they did. The damage was done. My wife and I were both furious, and could not enjoy the rest of the movie. We haven't gone to a theater since. This was Fall of 2021.

This happens all the time. It doesn't matter which movie we attended, or when, or where. It's a shame because we used to go to the theater a few times a month. Of course watching at home won't give us the same audio/video experience, but there's no rude people in our home, either. No cellphone usage during the movie. No late arrivers. No crying babies or ill-behaved children. No loud eaters.

We go to museums a lot, and there aren't any rude people there. Heck, people are more considerate at the zoo. Why are there so many rude people at the theater?

[drb999]

For some reason people act like the theater is their living room. I bet when they are at home watching tv they act just like they do at the theater.

[BluBonnet]

AMC is going all-in on the premium experience:

AMC made several public announcements over the past week, that we will significantly expand our focus on offering premium experiences in our theatres for moviegoers. These are immensely popular with AMC guests.

We will increase our count of Dolby Cinema screens which is such a spectacular way to watch a movie by nearly 25%.

We will add more IMAX screens, and nearly double the number of IMAX auditoriums featuring state-of-the-art IMAX with Laser projection and dramatically enhanced sound systems.

We will install 4DX action seats at 40 theatres.

We will install ScreenX with their super wide panoramic screens at 25 theatres.

And more customer pleasing announcements are still coming.

It’s time to play on offense again with our Go Plan!

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[BluBonnet]

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[mwynn]

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

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Studios believe that exhibitors haven’t done enough to innovate. They think too many venues are outdated, and cinema operators haven’t embraced discount pricing to entice cost-conscious consumers. Theater owners argue that their business has been hurt by studios’ insistence on releasing new films on home entertainment within a few weeks of their theatrical debuts. Oh, and they’d like a lot more movies!

3 years ago I said that they were going have an issue because of Rapid Growth. Who is advocating for the theaters? Because they do nothing to attract customers.

[veritas]

Originally Posted by mwynn

That is outrageous. Why would anyone start working on a laptop in a dark room. Just crazy behavior. Now I want to see someone to a Zoom meeting while in a theater.

Kind of funny I honestly was thinking about it and going well with amc a list its a 3 hour chair with background noise in a nearly empty room which you already paid for. Its rude but I have seen people work in worse conditions lol. Probably wouldn't even make my list for most annoying theater goers compared to people talking on the phone or people who bring babies to shows.

[Joey9775]

My latest trip: Went to see Death of a unicorn. I'm seated next to this couple who once again don't know how to act in a theater. Talking through the trailers (usually a bad sign), then the the talking continues on. 15 minutes into the movie, the wife exclaims "THATS THE GIRL FROM WEDNESDAY!!!". They start having a conversation about Wednesday at normal volume. I move down and flag the drafthouse waiter. He gives them the warning. They shut up for about 10 mins and start up again. I'm about to get them kicked out and then they just leave. Movie trip already ruined.

[oneway23]

Again, like mwynn always says, premium prices for a non-premium experience. I'm sorry for anyone who has had crappy viewings.

We can only hope the AMC upgrades BB posted about begin to make a difference.

[Michael11]

I actually had a pleasant experience at the cinema on Thursday night. Sure, there was one guy that checked his phone a few times but compared to past times it was really good.

[jak]

Once people change their habits it’s not always easy to go back. There was a time when going to the theatre was an event and something you looked forward to. I think that luster has faded for so many people. For me the jerks you have to deal with anymore at the movies has just gotten absurd. Unfortunately the number of folks who lack common courtesy is just to much for me. Anymore I’d rather just stay home and watch my movies in a relaxing environment.

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

If you wanna stay at home to watch new movies. Sure, fine, no problem. But You should have to wait 3 months or so instead of 3 weeks.

But sure that pisses people off with me saying that. Sitting in the corner going but what about me?! Where's my movies??!!

[jak]

Originally Posted by Jennifer Lawrence Fan

If you wanna stay at home to watch new movies. Sure, fine, no problem. But You should have to wait 3 months or so instead of 3 weeks.

But sure that pisses people off with me saying that. Sitting in the corner going but what about me?! Where's my movies??!!

That’s just not the way it works anymore. For better or worse that’s the new business model. I’m guessing the majority of people are very happy knowing they can watch new releases at home after a short wait. How can you blame them? A family can wait a little extra longer and pay $6 to watch a new release relatively soon at home. That’s a lot cheaper than forking over cash for 3 or 4 tickets plus if you hit the concession stand. Many people can’t afford to take their family to the movies these days. The pricing at the theater’s haven’t helped the cause. I’m old enough to remember $1 tuesdays. The good old days.

[oneway23]

I'm not foolish enough to think that the vast majority of people who absolutely love movies don't also have families, that would be a bit silly, but, I do believe that many cinephiles, in select circles, especially those who take these hard-line, black and white stances, are often thinking about their own preferences and desires, and, maybe not so much considering the very real practicalities many families deal with when contemplating a night out at the movie theater these days.

You're asking families to drop $100-$150 to sit down and watch a movie for two hours. If they buy snacks, it's a killer. Each kid wants their own whatever.

If you sneak snacks in, people say you're not supporting theaters and you don't care about movies...Can't win, either way.

Truth is, the real crux of the issue, imo, is that when you strip everything else away, the value proposition is flat-out terrible.

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by oneway23

I'm not foolish enough to think that the vast majority of people who absolutely love movies don't also have families, that would be a bit silly, but, I do believe that many cinephiles, in select circles, especially those who take these hard-line, black and white stances, are often thinking about their own preferences and desires, and, maybe not so much considering the very real practicalities many families deal with when contemplating a night out at the movie theater these days.

You're asking families to drop $100-$150 to sit down and watch a movie for two-hours. The value proposition is flat-out terrible.

The fight is over and the theaters lost. They cannot offer the studios anything. They never had any leverage and have been at the mercy of the studios since the beginning. They demand more movies, while the studios are telling them to lower costs and improve the theater. The consumer wants a better experience and lower prices. The theater loses on both fronts.

A business that exists to show movies making money off of popcorn is an insane business model.

[oneway23]

Originally Posted by mwynn

A business that exists to show movies making money off of popcorn is an insane business model.

It's like giving ice cream away and betting your business on people buying toppings.

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by oneway23

It's like giving ice cream away and betting your business on people buying toppings.

It works somewhat for a single screen, maybe four at most. Once you have 10, 20, or more it is going to fail as proven by AMC, Cinemark, and Regal going bankrupt more than once.

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

Originally Posted by jak

That’s just not the way it works anymore. For better or worse that’s the new business model. I’m guessing the majority of people are very happy knowing they can watch new releases at home after a short wait. How can you blame them? A family can wait a little extra longer and pay $6 to watch a new release relatively soon at home. That’s a lot cheaper than forking over cash for 3 or 4 tickets plus if you hit the concession stand. Many people can’t afford to take their family to the movies these days. The pricing at the theater’s haven’t helped the cause. I’m old enough to remember $1 tuesdays. The good old days.

[veritas]

Originally Posted by Jennifer Lawrence Fan

If you wanna stay at home to watch new movies. Sure, fine, no problem. But You should have to wait 3 months or so instead of 3 weeks.

But sure that pisses people off with me saying that. Sitting in the corner going but what about me?! Where's my movies??!!

If theaters want that then that's fine it will cost them around 50 mil to 150 mil per film. That's basically what it costs the studios to redo their advertising campaigns plus what streaming companies are pushing to them to get the films fast and the general lost business with such a huge delay.

Theirs a reason studios are pushing for shorter windows (money). Theaters just cant earn enough to justify much of an exclusive window these days.