Movie Theaters and Streaming Services. Which One’s Better?
It has been a while since movie-goers have been able to comfortably enter a movie theatre. The smell of popcorn, padded seats, and large screens seem like a distant memory to many. However, viewers may not be the only ones missing theatres.
Due to COVID-19, highly anticipated films like “No Time to Die,” “Black Widow,” “Dune,” and “The French Dispatch” are now being released months after their original announcement dates.
One tactic that major production companies like Disney are taking is releasing movies over streaming services. For example, “Mulan” was released on Disney + in September of 2020.
Following this, the New York Times published that Warner Brothers would be releasing their next 17 movies on HBO Max. They began with “Wonder Woman 1984,” which was released on December 25, 2020.
By skipping the movie theatres entirely and going straight to audiences, Warner Brothers cut theaters out of the equation. Although it might be a faster and widespread way to reach audiences, this also limits viewing options.
Streaming services versus theatres: the better option remains determined by personal preference.
Anna DiPasquale (‘21) says that she likes watching on streaming services like Netflix better because it gives her more control over her experience by being able to pause the movie and fix the volume.
Emily Waldrop (‘21) adds that streaming makes watching movies more convenient.
Similarly, Rachel Lee (‘21) says watching at home makes the overall experience more comfortable.
Streaming services have also been able to bring people together in a safe way. Morgan McKinney (‘21) says she likes going to movie theaters in person, but as quarantine has prolonged, she’s begun to appreciate streaming devices much more.
However, some students still prefer viewing the film in theatres because of the experience.
“Watching in theaters is way better since the big screen and the speakers [are] built for it, whereas streaming services are easy to access but cheap at the same time,” Eliana Park (‘21) said.
Lauren Del Mar (‘21) says she believes that film should be an immersive experience. When she’s in a theatre, she says, she’s completely submerged in a different environment and cut off from all distractions.
Others, like Amanda Audette (‘21), say they miss the social experience that movie theatres provide.
From the production companies’ perspectives, recently released statistics suggest several downsides in releasing directly on streaming services. According to Forbes, Disney’s “Mulan” only grossed $70 million in the box office compared to the movie’s $200 million budget. Similarly, Warner Brothers’ “Wonder Woman 1984” had a budget of $200 million and only received $132.1 million in the box office.
This could be a good sign for movie theater fans since production companies will most likely continue to release their films in theatres. Moving forward in 2021, we may be able to look forward to watching new movies on the big screen once again.