Decline In Movie Attendance

[Gary M]

Movie revenue has been going down for several months. Do you think people aren't going to theaters as often because of rude behavior by customers, bad movies, other entertainment options, expensive ticket prices, all of the above or something else or who cares.



Theater owners want cell phones blocked
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The National Association of Theater Owners wants the Federal Communications Commission to allow the blocking of cell phone signals in theaters.

John Fithian, the president of the trade organization, told the Los Angeles Times theater owners "have to block rude behavior" as the industry tries to come up with ways to bring people back to the cinemas.

Fithian said his group would petition the FCC for permission to block cell phone signals within movie theaters.

Some theaters already have no cell phone policies and ask moviegoers to check their phones at the door, Fithian said.

The Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association -- a Washington-based cell phone lobby that is also known as CTIA-the Wireless Association -- said it would fight any move to block cell phone signals.

"We're opposed to the use of any blocking technology, because it interferes with people's ability to use a wireless device in an emergency situation," CTIA spokesman Joseph Farren told the Times.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I don't go to the movies very much anymore for a few reasons:

- I am a Netflix user
- People talking in movies chafes my rear
- Kids running wild in movies also chafes my rear

There are certain movies I HAVE to see on the big screen as I find them more enjoyable there. Such as: Lord of the Rings, the Star Wars movies, etc.

Now I'm off to put some lotion on my chafed rear. LOL!!!

 

[N.Bailey]

IMO, the price of admission has just gotten to be too expensive for many families. You're talking around $40 - $50 today for a family of 4 to watch a movie, get popcorn and drinks. Why bother really when you can buy the movie for about $15 on DVD or rent it for much, much, much, less.

We go and see some (you know the ones you have to see on the big screen) at the theater, but most aren't worth admission and we'd rather build our home library.

The kids go quite often with friends though.

Oh and add in that we have close to 400 cable channels with 33 (just counted them) being premium movie channels, that also decreases the need to go to the theater for many.

 

[s&k'smom]

I work down at the local movie theatre I've been about 5 weeks and yeah attendance is definately down. King Kong came out and it just was'nt as busy as you would expect. Now Harry Potter was extremely busy but once that died down it really slowed. And oh yeah you should hear people complain about prices when they hit the concession stand.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I rarely buy anything from the concession stand. The only thing I will ever buy is a drink for my hubby and I to split. We do that if we have just come from dinner or something. But all that money for popcorn, candy, and drinks is just ridiculous. When I have a $5 bill and wonder if that will buy me my Junior Mints, I will pass.

My favorite theater does a really cool thing that keeps my business there. They don't charge wheelchair users. Zero, zip, nada. So I got to see the above movies I listed for free. That's really cool. Their mentality is you are paying for a seat, I brought my own, so why should I pay for one? I say, "If that's your policy, it's cool with me!"

The only catch with this theater is sometimes the only handicapped seating is in the very front row.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Cost is the biggest issue for us. As N.Bailey said, you can buy the DVD the week it comes out on special for less than $15 most of the time and have something after the movie is over. Go to the theater and even matinee prices are up to $5.50-$6, so $12.00 for 2. Then if you want a drink you have to pay the price of a case of Coke for one cup. If the smell of the popcorn gets you in the mood, you are paying out another $4-$5 for a bucket of popcorn that most of them don't even pop fresh in the theater anymore! And if you buy the DVD and hate the movie, no biggie. Sell it on eBay and recoup at least part of your money.

But, as you guys have already said, there are some movies that you really do want to see on that big screen (Star Wars, etc.) We haven't had an issue with Cell Phone users in the past. I've had more of an issue with people that bring children that are WAY too young for the movie and don't control them. They end up running up and down the aisles or talking loudly or worse, crying babies. The parents don't care - they have tuned them out! And then there are the groups of people that are oblivious to the fact that they aren't the only ones in the theater and carry on a conversation in loud voices during the movie At least in these instances you can get someone from the theater to ask them to please refrain from talking. It usually stops it, but not always.

 

[DawnCt1]

I love going to the movies and some things need to be seen on the big screen. In fact, I went to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in Imax. Having said that however, I go during the matinee when I can get in for a reasonable price of $6.50. Perhaps Hollywood should take a look at theatre prices if they want to attract more movie goers. The turn around to DVD is actually pretty quick so there is rarely anything that I can't "wait" to see.

 

[bicker]

I think the multiplex is dead. Between home theater systems and IMAX, I don't see a future for old-style movie theaters.

 

[golfgal]

I know that our theater is relatively cheep compared to most, adult evening price of $6.50 and matinee price of $4.50 but even so, it costs us about $40 to take the family to the movie. I know a lot of people that can't afford $40 to take their family out. Then if you do fork over the money to go, there is always some rude person talking on the phone, kids crying, people yapping... . The other thing is that there just haven't been that many movies we want to see in the past 2-3 years. We rarely go to movies any more.

 

[pixiemomma]

There isn't much out for families or we would go more often. The price doesn't bother me. We can go to a matinee at our big multiplex (4 tix, popcorn, beverage) for under $40. I'd rather go to the movies...I find it difficult to sit through a DVD at home.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Movie revenue has been going down for several months. Do you think people aren't going to theaters as often because of rude behavior by customers, bad movies, other entertainment options, expensive ticket prices, all of the above or something else or who cares.

Other entertainment options

 

[clh2]

I am an occasional movie-goer.

The expense is horrid, the worst talkers will sit by us. If they "block" cell phone signals, where I am unable to have my phone on vibrate, I will not go at all. (DD occasionally will not be with us at the movies.)

 

[bicker]

Yup, and I think that movie theater operators are missing the boat with their efforts to block cell phones. That will make people less likely to go to the movies, since their babysitters and/or others who need to get in touch with them in an emergency would no longer be able to do so, thereby decreasing the attractiveness of the offering even more than it is already, since no amount of technology will keep cretins from talking to each other during the film or keep young children from being disruptive when viewing films not intended for children.

 

[Kimberle]

Yes, the expense like most people have already said.

A big part is just finding the time. Families are sssoooo busy these days. Both parents generally work, kids have many activities, etc. It's just hard to "fit" a movie in.

 

[becka]

Well I guess for us it is a combination of things. Cost is a big one. When we go to a movie we usually also need to get a babysitter so that factors in the equation and often times if we only have a few hours we will elect to have dinner because we can at least talk some during dinner but not at a movie. The other factors include better options (we love Netflix) and the fact that there are not as many movies coming out that I really feel the need to see in the theaters. The only movies recently that I had to go see in the theater were the Harry Potter movies.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My 2 cents...

It isn't worth it. Movies are fair at best. Now if I was rolling in dough I would go more often.

The last movie we saw was Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire. I HAD to see it up on the screen. The movie was great. The theater was gross, dirty, bleech.

 

[Christine]

Cost is not too much of an issue for me. Yes, I agree that the tickets are expensive ($9 for an adult ticket at the evening show) but I don't mind if it is something I want to see.

I refuse to pay exorbitant prices for the snacks so I go without--no big deal either. I can go for 3 hours without eating.

What stops me are:

People constantly talking
People arriving late and standing in the middle of theater like Bambi in headlights wondering why they "can't all sit together"
Young children in the movie fussing and crying.

 

[disneysteve]

Movie revenue has been going down for several months. Do you think people aren't going to theaters as often because of rude behavior by customers, bad movies, other entertainment options, expensive ticket prices, all of the above or something else or who cares.

I hardly ever go to the movies for all the reasons already mentioned.

It is expensive. I can rent a movie for less than the cost of one ticket and I can buy a movie for less than the cost of three tickets. I like the comfort and convenience of watching movies at home on our schedule. No people talking. No ear-splitting volume levels. No 15 minutes of commercials before the feature. No sticky floors. No kid (or adult) kicking the back of my seat for 2 hours). No overpriced snacks (though I usually bring my own to the theater). The freedom to pause if any of us need a break. In fact, we often watch a movie in 2 segments rather than all at once.

We love Netflix. We always have movies in the house waiting to be watched. We get to see what we want when we want. We also get to see everything from new releases to classics to TV series.

 

[eeyore kelly]

When we go as a family we go to the afternoon show. Rude patrons make me wait for the DVD. Cell phone blocked= no movies

 

[kydisneyfans]

Nothing exciting to see-and too expensive to see it.