Are Movie Theaters Truly Dead?: The Timeless Appeal of the Big Screen
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Late one night, I was lounging in my tiny dorm bed when I searched The French Dispatch, a movie my friend recommended, on my phone. Watching this movie was already a strange experience due to the wild plot, but the absurdity was amplified because I split the film into several different nights. Looking back, watching The French Dispatch this way increased my love for the film because it was such a personal experience to curl up under my blanket and re-enter that world, whenever I needed an escape from reality.
My viewing choice for this movie completely differs from the traditional approach to film-watching: going to the theater. With the theater, you consume the film all at once – not in the comfort of your bed, but rather in a facility surrounded by strangers. You often buy overpriced snacks and drinks unless you manage to go on a stealth mission to smuggle candy inside via your bag or jacket. You can’t adjust the volume or subtitles, pause the movie to use the bathroom, or move rooms if the person beside you slurps their drink loudly. Today, many films go directly to the streaming platforms without ever hitting the theaters. So, what is the appeal of movie theaters in the modern world, if any still exists?
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Going to the theater may not be as easy a pastime as before, but I would argue it has become an investment. You have to carve time out of your schedule to venture to the theater and pay for your tickets, but these trade-offs earn you a social outing with friends, an immersive experience, and a meaningful memory. Although seeing a movie in a theater isn’t as practical as the new streaming methods, it still provides a nice break from the day-to-day. The old-timey venue (at least compared to modern television screens) can invoke feelings of nostalgia or romanticized dates of sharing a bucket of popcorn and sneaking a kiss when no one is looking. In addition, movie theaters often leave watchers in awe of the ambiance of a large screen, booming speakers, and dark surroundings.
I went to see Dune: Part Two (2024) at an early IMAX showing with my friend, and we experienced a roller coaster of emotions throughout the film. We could feel the music vibrating through the floor, the sensation climbing up our seats, paired with stunning visuals. We were entirely immersed in the story. In addition, it was simply fun to share this memory with my friend, so now we can look back on the night with excitement. In contrast, when I watched Dune (2021) in my living room with my family, it was interrupted by our dog barking and chewing on his bone and our dinners that needed to be taken in and out of the living room. These breaks interrupted the viewing experience, pulling me back to reality so that I could never truly enjoy the world of Dune. In short, these two experiences were opposites, and while the TV was more convenient and quicker, it didn’t provide the level of immersion that the theater gave me.
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One cultural phenomenon that stirred everyone was Barbenheimer, in which tons of people dressed up to see Barbie (2023) and Oppenheimer (2023) in theaters specificially. The excitement over the films brought swarms of people into theater seats. People sacrificed ticket prices, transportation, and scheduling issues to feel included in the event. While some debate if Barbenheimer was a product of strategic marketing rather than the analysis of the content itself, you have to agree that this tactic of creative marketing has been utilized before. When the classic Psycho was released in 1960, Alfred Hitchcock helped promote the film by saying that no one could enter theaters halfway through the run time. This excitement stirred audiences and drove tons of people to the theaters (which were already more popular at the time). Perhaps getting people out of their homes and into the theater has always relied on marketing.
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While technological advances such as the iPhone and streaming platforms have put a dent in going to movie theaters as a pastime, the big screens are not dead yet. Watching a movie in a theater provides entertainment that can't quite be matched, contrary to watching a movie on a phone or living room TV. Theaters give an excuse to dress up, socialize, and make a memory – all while experiencing the film in an elevated atmosphere. Next time you’re looking for something fun outside of sitting at your apartment, consider putting on a cute outfit, splurging on movie tickets and a bucket of popcorn, and enjoying the show.
Strike Out,
Writer: Ellie Amos
Editor: Emily Montarroyos
Tallahassee