Disney (and others) at the Box Office - Current State of Affairs

[BuddyThomas]

I don't think theaters will go away completely. No TV screen can offer a comparable experience.

Which is not to say modern technology isn't a factor. Back in the day if you watched a movie at home it was on a 32-inch CRT television via a full screen VHS tape. Seeing movies in the theater was more important. Today, a home TV won't be as good as a theater but it offers a good or even great experience. The need to see a movie theatrically has decreased dramatically.

Movie going has improved only in that reserved seating means no more lining up hours in advance to get a good seat.

Audience behaviour is an issue. Cell phones, talking, etc. It's just a crap shoot. Seeing a big movie with the right crowd is great, but when it's bad it's just awful.

People have been moaning and groaning that movie theaters were going away since the day the first Blockbuster Video opened. Movie theaters will be just fine. People need things to do that are less expensive than baseball games, Broadway shows, concerts, and Disney parks.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

People have been moaning and groaning that movie theaters were going away since the day the first Blockbuster Video opened. Movie theaters will be just fine. People need things to do that are less expensive than baseball games, Broadway shows, concerts, and Disney parks.

True.

I think we'll continue to see a shift in the types of movies that draw audiences, i.e. more action spectaculars and less rom-coms and the like.

 

[BuddyThomas]

True.

I think we'll continue to see a shift in the types of movies that draw audiences, i.e. more action spectaculars and less rom-coms and the like.

And of course they keep trying to enhance the movie experience with recliner chairs, alcohol sold at the concession stands, and the RDX experience that, after having experienced it twice, I have become convinced is trying to murder people.

 

[TalkingHead]

If basically the only movies people sometimes show up for are the $200m sequels/reboots/spinoffs/franchise bait, then yeah movie theaters will eventually go away.

Some of those won’t be hits (see last weekend), and then more of those won’t be big hits (Mermaid), and eventually it’s a bad investment for the studios.

Maybe mid-budget fare will exist because its margins are more forgiving but if audiences say they can wait for steaming then what’s the point of debuting in a theater?

All roads point to theaters being reduced in numbers within the next decade.

 

[doctornick]

Personally the only reason I go to movies is to avoid spoilers and to be able to be part of conversations. If I had the option of paying a not crazy amount (say $30-40) to watch a movie at home the day of release as an alternative vs going to the theater, I’d opt for my home every single time. The “theatrical experience” really means very little to me.

 

[Ghost93]

You all really need to invest in AMC A-list. For $22 a month, I can see three movies at the theater a week.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

You all really need to invest in AMC A-list. For $22 a month, I can see three movies at the theater a week.

AMC unfortunately didn't last long in Canada.

But I agree the subscription model a la streaming is a good idea for physical theaters

 

[doctornick]

You all really need to invest in AMC A-list. For $22 a month, I can see three movies at the theater a week.

Meh. My biggest issue with going to movies is the time commitment. Going even more frequently doesn’t appeal to me. Turning on my TV and hitting play to start a feature film does.

 

[Ghost93]

Meh. My biggest issue with going to movies is the time commitment. Going even more frequently doesn’t appeal to me. Turning on my TV and hitting play to start a feature film does.

I have an evil cat that threatens to chew the cord of my TV if I'm not giving him constant attention. That may be part of the reason why I don't watch movies at home anymore, lol.


I also find myself more likely to check my phone at home, whereas in the theater, there aren't any distractions.

 

[Disney Analyst]

AMC unfortunately didn't last long in Canada.

But I agree the subscription model a la streaming is a good idea for physical theaters

Join Cineclub from Cineplex.

Cineplex.com | CineClub

Whether you're an opening night diehard, an extra butter lover or a rom-com sap - CineClub™ is for you. Treat yourself to benefits that make movie night out even more exciting with a CineClub™ membership!

www.cineplex.com

( we haven’t done this… we don’t want to go to the movies that much )

 

[BrianLo]

Join Cineclub from Cineplex.

Cineplex.com | CineClub

Whether you're an opening night diehard, an extra butter lover or a rom-com sap - CineClub™ is for you. Treat yourself to benefits that make movie night out even more exciting with a CineClub™ membership!

www.cineplex.com

( we haven’t done this… we don’t want to go to the movies that much )

Actually if there are two of you it isn't that big of a commitment, since you can use multiple credits per movie if you want. 6 movies a year. But I'm a psychopath and have joined both programs and left them to over-accumulate. I really need to see some of these movies.

@Animaniac93-98 - what are your local theatres? I suspect you just have bad ones near you. I've been much happier with the quality of the newer Landmarks around Calgary. Every theatre are full recliners, etc.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Actually if there are two of you it isn't that big of a commitment, since you can use multiple credits per movie if you want. 6 movies a year. But I'm a psychopath and have joined both programs and left them to over-accumulate. I really need to see some of these movies.

@Animaniac93-98 - what are your local theatres? I suspect you just have bad ones near you. I've been much happier with the quality of the newer Landmarks around Calgary. Every theatre are full recliners, etc.

Landmarks are few and far between for me. It's Cineplex or Citathome.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Actually if there are two of you it isn't that big of a commitment, since you can use multiple credits per movie if you want. 6 movies a year. But I'm a psychopath and have joined both programs and left them to over-accumulate. I really need to see some of these movies.

@Animaniac93-98 - what are your local theatres? I suspect you just have bad ones near you. I've been much happier with the quality of the newer Landmarks around Calgary. Every theatre are full recliners, etc.

I don’t really understand the program haha.

For 9.99 a month I get a basic movie ticket (most films are 3D, AVX, this or that etc.), so I still need to pay the difference. And it’s only 1 ticket a month?

 

[BrianLo]

I don’t really understand the program haha.

For 9.99 a month I get a basic movie ticket (most films are 3D, AVX, this or that etc.), so I still need to pay the difference. And it’s only 1 ticket a month?

And a 20% discount on concessions and scene points still accumulate. It's not an amazing discount... it's kind of like 20% off everything IF you go to the movies six times a year as a pair. Though the credits will keep accumulating if you keep subscribing regardless.

Basically if you go six or more times a year on average you'll probably save some money - though they keep you on the hook with the monthly subscription.


Edit: Actually I guess movies are 15.79$ and you get a credit once a month so it's a 5.79 savings, with the option of also paying 9.99 for a second person. But like I said the credits can be left to accumulate so you don't HAVE to go to a movie once a month. It's definitely not worth it if you attend less than six movies (because your credits will continually over-accumulate beyond your needs), but definitely worth it if you reliably do more. Or have like a larger family.

Here's what Barbie would look like when I try to get tickets on Cineplex for example.

 

[TalkingHead]

You all really need to invest in AMC A-list. For $22 a month, I can see three movies at the theater a week.

Same. If you see one movie in Dolby/IMAX per month it pays for itself. If it weren’t for A-list, I’d probably go to the theater a handful of times each year. Also frankly makes it easier to walk out of movies if they’re mediocre and not worth the time.

 

[Willmark]

True.

I think we'll continue to see a shift in the types of movies that draw audiences, i.e. more action spectaculars and less rom-coms and the like.

Theaters will still be around for some time but as VR continues to get better and better it will impact movies. I think the audience will change more as that happens.

The younger generations stance is “why watch a movie, when I can be inside it.” My kids (Gen Z) movies? Meh, playing something like Red Dead Redemption 2? Yes.

Skip to Gen Alpha; friends of mine: their son is VR only, rarely consoles.

Sure this is anecdotal but is a curious observation. I doubt it’s unique.

Once VR becomes immersive and open ended enough is where movies become history. As you note there are already problems of theaters and why it can be a bad experience. Here VR and video games win out again.

Active vs passive entertainment will be the deciding factor. Question is when, is it 5 years or 50 away?

I’m of the mindset it’s a lot closer than people realize.

 

[BuddyThomas]

Every Upcoming Live-Action Disney Remake In Development

Disney has a slew of live-action remakes in development; here's a full breakdown

screenrant.com

 

[Bullseye1967]

Every Upcoming Live-Action Disney Remake In Development

Disney has a slew of live-action remakes in development; here's a full breakdown

screenrant.com

I'm curious how many of these actually get made after all this drama. Big shake ups have happened since this May 26 article.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

And of course they keep trying to enhance the movie experience with recliner chairs, alcohol sold at the concession stands, and the RDX experience that, after having experienced it twice, I have become convinced is trying to murder people.

That's funny, because our movie theatre has put in nice recliners with lots of room. The walk ways are larger and easier to move around in. We have to pick our seats at the door or before online. These things are a big change, IMO. It made going to the movies much more attractive to us. The concession stands haven't changed and there is no alcohol in the theatre. But it is a small town theatre, and it is very busy. I don't see it closing at all with all the nice updates.

 

[TP2000]

Siskel and Ebert first talked about this in 1990 when 16:9 HD TVs started showing up at tech trade shows. That eventually you could get a similar quality to theatrical at home vs the theater.

Technically speaking, with 4K TVs, Ultra HD Blu-rays and 7.1 DTS surround sound, we're already there, even if most homes aren't.

Agreed. Last year I bought a new home in a brand new development, and not in a big fashionable coastal city where The Right People live, but in a small city (barely even that) in an unfashionable flyover state full of Deplorables. And yet...

I was amazed at how all the homes I toured from several developers had that audio/video tech pre-wired and ready for set up. Family Rooms and Great Rooms are designed and pre-wired now for I20 inch 4K laser screens and 7.I sound. Bedrooms are prepped for 70 inch wall-mounted TV's and surround sound, kitchens set up with auto-adjusting speakers to stream audio from YouTube cooking shows or podcasts over the sound of your blender, etc., etc.

The world has changed. Americans are still going to the movies in huge numbers if the product you are offering is worth it. (Maverick, Jurassic World, Way of Water, Minions, etc.)

But Disney, and other struggling studios like Warner Brothers, really need to step up their game to get people out of the house.