How long before movie theaters are obsolete?

[Raven Hawk]

I was just pondering, with the success that recent TV series have had and the advent of the home theater and on-demand cable, will the Multiplex become an endangered species? If so, how long until it happens?

I think that since going to the movies is such a social event, that perhaps it will take longer than it should.

Otherwise, what benefits does seeing a movie at the theater have over watching it at home. The biggest advantage is that you can see it sooner. Home theaters are to the point where they have just about everything that a theater can offer, other than overpriced popcorn. If a movie could be delivered to your home theater on the release date via PPV, would you go to the theaters to see it?

[gottimd]

I saw something about this on the local news I think. Isn't there a movie coming out or just released that is being released on DVD, on TV, and in the movie theaters all at once.

The discussion was with flooding the market with the movie and the fact that in the near future, movie theaters will become obsolete as trend is showing more and more would rather stay at home in comfort and watch a movie, then pay money to watch it less comfortably with a bunch of strangers.

[Butter]

It won't happen anytime soon.

[Drake]

I've seen (on average) one movie in the theater per year for the last five years. If you're judging by my movie habits, then I'd say yes.

[BYU 14]

I actually still enjoy going to the Movie with my Family. I think a newer, comfortable theater still provides an attraction and a pleasant viewing experience where everyone can be together without any distractions/interuptions.

It always nice to discuss the Movie on the way home as well, especially with the kids. Life gets so busy sometimes and everyone is doing there own thing that I think on occassion too much Parent/Child interaction is on the "business" level. "How are your grades?" "Why didn't you take out the Trash?" "Your rooms looks like Hell!" etc.

This still provides one of many opportunities I like to take advantage of to bond on a casual level. It can make for a good joke too.........Can't wait to make my Sons sit through Brokeback Mountain :D

[gottimd]

It won't happen anytime soon.
By near future, I didn't mean next year, but I could see it within 10-15 years, as the cost of home theater products drop, demand gets higher and the technology of home theaters gets better, and more affordable.

[albionmoonlight]

There is a social aspect to it--and the fact that theaters tend to be located around resturants and are generally good meeting places--that means that there will always be a place for them, IMO.

Of course, people probably thought that drive in movies would be around forever, so who knows really.

[QuikSand]

I saw something about this on the local news I think. Isn't there a movie coming out or just released that is being released on DVD, on TV, and in the movie theaters all at once.

Bubble from Steven Soderbergh. A little weird to make much of a splash otherwise, by all accounts.

[Raiders Army]

Bubble from Steven Soderbergh. A little weird to make much of a splash otherwise, by all accounts.
True, but the price of the DVD is pretty high (like $50?) when it's released at the same time that it's released in the movie theater. The price will go down to normal levels after a few months. Thus, there is still the incentive to see it on the big screen.

[gottimd]

There is a social aspect to it--and the fact that theaters tend to be located around resturants and are generally good meeting places--that means that there will always be a place for them, IMO.

Of course, people probably thought that drive in movies would be around forever, so who knows really.
Good point. I didn't think of that. When Mom and Pop want to get away from the kids and go out for dinner and a movie.

[thetrilogy]

I ran theatre(s) from '88-'95. I think they'll always be around and probably will always run film. Some theatres run DLP projector houses. The few big movies will pay for all the rest that fail. As long as people will go and pay the big money to be the first to see a movie, theatres will always be around.

Here is my home theater:
10 foot wide screen!!!http://www.higleylaw.com/images/IMG_1549.JPG

http://www.higleylaw.com/ht05/index.html

http://gallery.avsforum.com/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=7453403

[stevew]

True, but the price of the DVD is pretty high (like $50?) when it's released at the same time that it's released in the movie theater. The price will go down to normal levels after a few months. Thus, there is still the incentive to see it on the big screen.

I think it was 19.99 just like any other movie.
And i was talking to my brother the other day about why they still bother with film at the theatres. You'd think by now they would have moved to something like high def DVD and that would allow them to show a wider variety of movies at the same time, because the cost would have to be significantly lower than shipping films back and forth, etc.

[rkmsuf]

If they get rid of theatres where will young men go to get handjobs from their dates?

[gottimd]

If they get rid of theatres where will young men go to get handjobs from their dates?
Restaurants?

[rkmsuf]

Restaurants?

Smoking, Non Smoking or Handjobs?

[gottimd]

Smoking, Non Smoking or Handjobs?
"I'll take First Available"...<Walks away and turns back around>
"On second thought, how long is that wait for handjobs?"

[rkmsuf]

JeeberD: "Come on man. I worked handjobs last night. How about switching it up a little."

[Mustang]

Smoking, Non Smoking or Handjobs?

At least the window sectioning off the rooms would have some purpose for the handjob section...

[BYU 14]

At least the window sectioning off the rooms would have some purpose for the handjob section...

And don't order anything with Hollendaise..........

[JonInMiddleGA]

I actually still enjoy going to the Movie with my Family. I think a newer, comfortable theater still provides an attraction and a pleasant viewing experience where everyone can be together without any distractions/ interuptions. It always nice to discuss the Movie on the way home as well, especially with the kids.

By golly, I really like your answer to the question & would agree.

[Huckleberry]

Actually I think kids are a huge reason why theaters will continue to exist at some level. Going with your friends to see a movie is a really big deal to preteens and teenagers. Or for a date.

And for the families with little kids it's a great outing as mentioned above. This weekend I will be taking my whole family to see Curious George. The 5 year old is super excited to see another movie on the big screen. She absolutely loved Clifford's Big Adventure and I'm sure will enjoy this one just as much.

We don't go to movies very often, of course, because of the kids. But they could charge double for the kids' movies and still get people to see them. At least my family.

[Warhammer]

Movie Theaters could cut the trend of staying home if they charged less for the movie. If I need to pay around $25 for my wife and I to see a movie, or wait 6 months for it to come out on DVD and pay $15 to see it, I'll do the later.

[Cringer]

If I lived in a major city, like New York, in which it was $10 per person, and the theater was not only packed every time but you also had to wait in line for over an hour before, then I would never go probably.

But since I live in a fairly low populated area because it is spread out so much along the border here, I like going to the theater. I can show up while the previews are still going and still get a decent seat usually, and the price is still down at $7.50.

[Schmidty]

I highly doubt they'll ever go away. They will probably just adapt with technology (eventually) and develop other ways of bringing people in.

[Bee]

I don't think they'll become obsolete, but I do think we'll see less and less people going. I think in the future the competition for movie goers will increase and we'll start to see theaters with various gimmicks. Some will go after people going on dates, while others will go after families, etc. I think we are already seeing theaters going in that direction with some having cafes and extensive arcades for kids while others offer more upscale foods and wines.

[rkmsuf]

Smell - O - Theater in IMAX smellovision.

[ISiddiqui]

I think the 'social event' aspect of it will keep it going for a long time. And there is just something about seeing an action packed film on a massive screen with surround sound that just can't be beat (like for Saving Private Ryan).

[Draft Dodger]

we're talking about something where the annual attendance in the US is over a billion, and I think it will take a long, long time before that stops.

I personally prefer watching it on my big screen where I don't need to find a babysitter, don't need to tell people to be quiet, can eat what I want, can pause it when boobies come on the screen AND can get a handjob. But obviously the movie industry is doing ok without me.

[rkmsuf]

I personally prefer watching it on my big screen where I don't need to find a babysitter, don't need to tell people to be quiet, can eat what I want, can pause it when boobies come on the screen AND can get a handjob. But obviously the movie industry is doing ok without me.

You've got it all.

[QuikSand]

I personally prefer watching it on my big screen where I don't need to find a babysitter, don't need to tell people to be quiet, can eat what I want, can pause it when boobies come on the screen AND can get a handjob. But obviously the movie industry is doing ok without me.

Live free or die, baby.

[BrianD]

I've read that Intell is working on technology that will stream the movie to home PCs for viewing the same day that the movie comes out in theaters. This sounds great for people with major home theaters with HTPCs connected, but real home theaters still aren't that widespread. People are just starting to incorporate a theater room in their houses, and most of these can't compete with a real theater. People who can currently reproduce the theater experience in their homes are still pretty rare.

You also have the whole movie-going event. My wife doesn't think a home theater will ever replace going to see a movie just because the act of leaving the house makes it feel more like an event...especially if dinner is involved.

[Cotton]

They became obsolete for me the day they started selling those ridiculous little nacho packs. Ever have to have to sit next to some idiot stuffing his pie hole with that noisy, gooey shit?

[rkmsuf]

They became obsolete for me the day they started selling those ridiculous little nacho packs. Ever have to have to sit next to some idiot stuffing his pie hole with that noisy, gooey shit?


I don't see what gooey has to do with this.

[Cotton]

I don't see what gooey has to do with this.
Then I guess you haven't.

[gottimd]

I don't see what gooey has to do with this.
Gooey is so loud, you just hear the cheese. HEAR IT! IT'S COMING FOR YOU! LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN!

[rkmsuf]

Gooey is so loud, you just hear the cheese. HEAR IT! IT'S COMING FOR YOU! LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN!

You unwrap that Tootsie Roll and we are throwing down!

[BrianD]

Gooey is so loud, you just hear the cheese. HEAR IT! IT'S COMING FOR YOU! LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN!

"I wear the cheese, the cheese doesn't wear me."

(too obscure?)

[gottimd]

You unwrap that Tootsie Roll and we are throwing down!
Oh its already been unwrapped, BRING IT ON!:D

[Karlifornia]

Haha. I always get the nachos! I never thought about how annoying it might be to those around me. Oh well....

Movie theatres will outlived all of us I'm sure, for social reasons, disregarding the fact that movie is a terrible idea for a first date if you don't already know the person.

[Cotton]

Haha. I always get the nachos! I never thought about how annoying it might be to those around me. Oh well....
I'm just weirdly intolerant of things that involve crunching, slurping, crumbs, or goo within viewing or hearing range.

[gottimd]

I'm just weirdly intolerant of things that involve crunching, slurping, crumbs, or goo within viewing or hearing range.
Throw in a little moaning and I think we all know what type of movie theater you are going to.:D

[ISiddiqui]

Can't I get a handjob without crumbs?!

[sterlingice]

If I lived in a major city, like New York, in which it was $10 per person, and the theater was not only packed every time but you also had to wait in line for over an hour before, then I would never go probably.

But since I live in a fairly low populated area because it is spread out so much along the border here, I like going to the theater. I can show up while the previews are still going and still get a decent seat usually, and the price is still down at $7.50.Wow, and I bitch about our $5.75 prices here

SI

[gottimd]

Can't I get a handjob without crumbs?!
Can I get a handjob while watching the show crumbs?

[Young Drachma]

I was just pondering, with the success that recent TV series have had and the advent of the home theater and on-demand cable, will the Multiplex become an endangered species? If so, how long until it happens?

I think that since going to the movies is such a social event, that perhaps it will take longer than it should.

Otherwise, what benefits does seeing a movie at the theater have over watching it at home. The biggest advantage is that you can see it sooner. Home theaters are to the point where they have just about everything that a theater can offer, other than overpriced popcorn. If a movie could be delivered to your home theater on the release date via PPV, would you go to the theaters to see it?

I don't know that they're going anywhere. I mean, it's no different than people going to the live theatre. I mean, they could put all that stuff on DVD or whatever and folks could experience broadway no matter where they are, but folks still go to the movies because it has been something we always do and movie theatres will continue to find ways to get people to come out.

Plus, Hollywood likes it because they make far more revenue off folks who go see the movies, plus all the additional crap people can buy, rather than just having them at home doing movies and that's it.

[cthomer5000]

Bubble from Steven Soderbergh. A little weird to make much of a splash otherwise, by all accounts.Incidentally, it's a pretty interesting movie. The move itself I would say is "good" (i gave it 3 of 5 stars on Netflix), but it's more notable for how they made the movie, casted it, etc.

[Raven Hawk]

I don't know that they're going anywhere. I mean, it's no different than people going to the live theatre. I mean, they could put all that stuff on DVD or whatever and folks could experience broadway no matter where they are, but folks still go to the movies because it has been something we always do and movie theatres will continue to find ways to get people to come out.

Plus, Hollywood likes it because they make far more revenue off folks who go see the movies, plus all the additional crap people can buy, rather than just having them at home doing movies and that's it.
I'd beg to differ. Live theater is different than Movies. Movies, you can get the same product (loosely termed) on DVD six months after the movie is released. Live theater can be different night to night, especially if you travel the improv circuit. Actually, on the DVD, you get more product than you do at the movie theater. Theater and Silver Screen, to me, are two completely different arts, although some of the pieces (actors) may be interchangeable.

I do, however, agree with you that Hollywood won't let it die. The industry is too high on itself to recognize that the future of movies is at home. I do think that movie theaters will not become obsolete, but they will have to start catering to special crowds (i.e. cross market a movie theater/playland idea or movie theater/bar) because I don't think that the multiplex has a future. It will be hard to break the paradigm that's set up right now, but somebody will do it. I'm sure that Bill Gates is greedily eyeing the movie industry and waiting to back a great movie that will be released outside of theaters and only on PC. If someone can make the business model work, we're in for a big change.

[wishbone]

When TV became popular, movie theaters changed to the widescreen format to seperate themselves from TV and make the movies a "special experience". Theaters will continue to find ways to make the movies an experience and I think you will see a lot of variety in approaches to do this. In the Portland Oregon area, we have an Imax theater, McMenamins theaters with couches and restaurants. I could see smaller theaters (5-50 seats) setup using current home theater tech and on-demand movies be tried out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television#Aspect_ratios

[sterlingice]

I do, however, agree with you that Hollywood won't let it die. The industry is too high on itself to recognize that the future of movies is at home. I do think that movie theaters will not become obsolete, but they will have to start catering to special crowds (i.e. cross market a movie theater/playland idea or movie theater/bar) because I don't think that the multiplex has a future. It will be hard to break the paradigm that's set up right now, but somebody will do it. I'm sure that Bill Gates is greedily eyeing the movie industry and waiting to back a great movie that will be released outside of theaters and only on PC. If someone can make the business model work, we're in for a big change.What are they supposed to do (the monolithic "movie industry", I mean)? Cut off one of their primary sources of income for some creative ideas that might work? Then you can piss off both sides at once- the groups that like going to the movies and the ones who want creative, new stuff. I'm sure there are experimental theaters out there as we speak, but completely revamping a billion dollar industry overnight just doesn't happen in any industry unless the market completely lurches at them.

SI

[Raven Hawk]

What are they supposed to do (the monolithic "movie industry", I mean)? Cut off one of their primary sources of income for some creative ideas that might work? Then you can piss off both sides at once- the groups that like going to the movies and the ones who want creative, new stuff. I'm sure there are experimental theaters out there as we speak, but completely revamping a billion dollar industry overnight just doesn't happen in any industry unless the market completely lurches at them.
I really don't expect anything like this to happen overnight by any means. The real question is, what will theaters be like in 10-15 years? I would fully expect Hollywood to try to make every dollar that they can. That's just plain capitalism. However, I believe that there will be a paradigm shift in the movie industry in the next couple of years, but as we all know Human Beings hate change. Therefore, even when a paradigm shift does occur, the inertia of the industry won't shift on a dime, but they will be forced into looking into different outlets.

[sterlingice]

I really don't expect anything like this to happen overnight by any means. The real question is, what will theaters be like in 10-15 years? I would fully expect Hollywood to try to make every dollar that they can. That's just plain capitalism. However, I believe that there will be a paradigm shift in the movie industry in the next couple of years, but as we all know Human Beings hate change. Therefore, even when a paradigm shift does occur, the inertia of the industry won't shift on a dime, but they will be forced into looking into different outlets.If you think back 10-15 years, we have seen a paradigm shift over that time. Most theaters were 6s, maybe 8s, or a *big* 10. Now you have 30s. And with that, there's been a huge shift away from malls to stand alone buildings. Not only that, but a death of most dollar theaters (:(). So it makes sense that we'll probably see more shifts in the future.

SI

[mgadfly]

In the year 2020 Microsoft and Sony will have been purchased by Walmart who will by then be transmitting movies (and their commercials) directly into your mind. Thus, the movie theatre will no longer be needed.

Each movie you view will be deducted from your pay check (since most of us will work for Walmosoftony) automatically. The good news is that during roll-back pricing days movies will only cost 36 cents per viewing.


Seriously though, I think the Movie Theatre will be around in some form for the rest of my life. But it will be a much different experience than we have today (technology advances, cultural changes, etc...).

[rkmsuf]

I still don't see how the nacho cheese makes any noise.

[gottimd]

I still don't see how the nacho cheese makes any noise.You can't see noise, thats why.