Movies are an integral part in many people’s lives that will never get old because of the impact they have on viewers and culture at large, but for some reason, fewer people are watching them in theaters.
For example, the movie “Haunted Mansion” was released by Disney this year and only made 117 million dollars.“Strays” made only 30 million in the box office, while “Blue Beetle,” a big budget superhero film from DC, only made 121 million dollars.
This may seem like a lot of money, but we can’t forget that movies are costing more to make. “Blue Beetle” cost over 100 million dollars to produce and “Haunted Mansion” cost 150 million dollars.
So why are less people going to the movie theaters this year?
Movies have always been interwoven with media since the 20th century, but the way audiences watched them has changed. Viewers don’t have to go to movie theaters anymore now that movies and TV shows are on streaming services or can be illegally pirated at home.
Watching movies from home is an easier and a cheaper alternative. Beyond the price of tickets, inflation has caused food prices to go up. Popcorn is now $8 and an ICEE is now $5. That is $13 for just one person, so imagine how much a whole family would have to pay.
Streaming services are $10 to $16 a month, which isn’t bad, especially if you just want to use it for one month. Streaming also saves people the cost of gas to get to the theater.
Streaming services also save viewers from having to sit through the previews before a film.
Additionally, there’s the crowds to consider in movie theaters. Other people can ruin the experience. They could talk during the movie, shine their flashlight when they’re trying to find their seat or bring a baby who could cry.
The benefit is that the big screen makes the movie more cinematic and immersive. For most people though, the negatives seem to outweigh the positives.
There is more to this problem than the cost and the crowds. The movies themselves cause problems for people.
It’s not like movies are getting worse, but there is less originality in the industry. Instead of making original content, more studios are making sequels and reboots to existing movies. Think of the new Indiana Jones movie, a tenth installment of “Fast and Furious” and yet another John Wick movie.
It is obvious why these studios make these films; not only do already existing characters have a built-in audience, but these films are also guaranteed to make money. This is sadly the main goal for most movie companies in this day in age. They don’t care about artistry because making money their main priority.
Sequels and remakes aren’t the only movies that were made this year. Plenty of fresh and new movies were released like “Nimona,” “Barbie,” “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” “The Super Mario Bros” movie and more.
There is a reason these movies got a lot more attention than the sequels and reboots. Audiences are tired of seeing repeated plots. They want to see more innovative and creative ideas. Production companies also have a chance to make another hit franchise, so it really should be something they consider.
Movie theaters are magical places where people come together to watch a piece of fiction, to observe a work that many talented people took years to work on and to appreciate the creativity, cleverness, humor, action, sadness and wonder of cinema.
Movie companies may not care that their movies aren’t making as much money at the theaters anymore because they’re making money from streaming services, but that shouldn’t matter. They need to remember the magic that made people fall in love with theaters in the first place. Then, and only then, will people start coming back to movie theaters.
