Should movie theaters return to an exclusive, longer window before home video releases?

[Pink Freud]

I'd say they have to if theaters are to survive, and I dearly hope they do.; we NEED movie theaters. It's not just a superior way to see a film, it's a commitment to it, as opposed to mere involvement in seeing a movie on home video, even if it's (gasp), good god, on your phone.

To quote my beloved old sales guru Zig Ziglar, "The difference between commitment and involvement is right there at your breakfast. That chicken was involved in it, but that pig committed to it."

I fully understand what couples go through to go out to a movie together --- hiring a babysitter; higher evening prices; commuting on a timetable; preposterously overpriced concessions; putting up with much younger, rude moviegoers who never learned theater etiquette --- and I'm lucky to see cheapie senior matinees whenever I want --- and I NEVER buy concessions--- , but if this longer delay window is what it takes to keep movie theaters open, I'm all for it.

Movie theaters have heard the death knell sounded before:
--- When millions of homes could afford TV;
--- When most homes got A/C, eliminating the long afternoons in cool movie houses in summer;
--- When the networks went to color programming;
--- when video stores popped up;
--- when cable/satellite meant hundreds of channels in sharp definition at the flick of a clicker;
--- when streaming services made it easier and far cheaper to watch recent releases at home.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/amc ... 19037.html

What about YOU?

[Dicktar2023]

Full disclosure: I only read the title of this thread.

But to answer the question, yes. Obviously. Hollywood is in a phase where it believes both 1) no movie that earns less than 200 mil profit is worth making and 2) movies should be given away virtually for free on streaming services.

Something has to give.

[The Nard]

By all means, yes. Me and wifey keep track and wanted to see several movies over the last few years, but by the time we were ready, they were already gone. Then if you try to stream them, it’s 19.95$. We’re now officially out of the market.

What are they going to do with those large multi -cinemas? House the homeless?

[crowes74]

We have talked about going to the theater a hand full of times last year. Actually made it a couple times, wife and I are just rarely excited enough to get out and see a show in the theater (which we love to do). If it’s a movie we like we will drive the 70 miles to the city to see it, just rarely do they make a movie for us to get excited about.

… that said, if they do all fall to the wayside, I will miss them.

[-ocaj]

Full disclosure: I only read the title of this thread.

That's a fantastic point! Thanks for pointing out how neat you are!

[Dicktar2023]

Full disclosure: I only read the title of this thread.

That's a fantastic point! Thanks for pointing out how neat you are!

[VegasVinny]

By all means, yes. Me and wifey keep track and wanted to see several movies over the last few years, but by the time we were ready, they were already gone. Then if you try to stream them, it’s 19.95$. We’re now officially out of the market.

What are they going to do with those large multi -cinemas? House the homeless?

Turn them into sportsbooks.