Are Movie Theaters Worth It Anymore?
NPR's Bob Mondello and Marc Rivers explore why movie theaters still hold value in the streaming era and what continues to attract audiences to the big screen.
A Personal Theater Experience
Last year, I attended a screening of It Ends With Us. During the film, the atmosphere was disrupted by a family of five—two adults and three young children—who talked, laughed, cried, yelled, played with toys, ate food, and left and reentered the theater multiple times.
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.
PFEIFFER: It's about a toxic relationship. And I have mixed feelings about the movie, but the watching experience was terrible. What floored me was when one of the kids shone a flashlight at the movie screen.
This experience led me to vow never to watch a movie in theaters again. Watching at home, even on a laptop, is more comfortable, affordable, quieter, and far more convenient.
The Unmatched Big-Screen Experience
Despite the convenience of home viewing, I understand that enjoying a movie on a large screen with an audience offers a uniquely different experience than streaming on Netflix.
For this week's discussion, I wanted to hear why and when people believe going to movie theaters remains worthwhile.
Summary
While home viewing offers convenience and comfort, the communal atmosphere and immersive experience of movie theaters continue to draw audiences despite some challenges.