Do you prefer watching a MOVIE at HOME or in THEATER?

[AviatorTom]

The chart shows the results of surveys showing how movie watching has changed over the past few years.

What do you think of the chart? Do you prefer watching movies at home or in theaters? Or maybe it depends on the movie?

Updates

1 mo

Some have asked for the chart's source. It's a Wall Street Journal article that can be found at
www.wsj.com/.../how-going-to-the-movies-is-changing-in-charts-745e7e78

[CrazyGirl2]

To be honest, by parents have an actual home theater. It’s a literal screening room my father needs to screen movies he’s working on. The screen is huge and the seats are amazing, they are the type you’d find in a very high end movie theater, or somewhat like the newer first class seats a on a commercial airliner. I really preferred watching a new movie in our theater at home. But now that I live with Lee, and we’ve got my 85 inch Sony Bravia 8k Mini-Led setup finally, it’s nice to sit at home and watch a movie, but I REALLY PREFER going out! I think Lee is in love w/ the TV over me, I’m like “c’mon let’s just go out, we always watch tv at home.” and he's just like “the picture is better here than at the theater” and I try to tell him it’s not about the picture, it’s about the going out! Finally he does, but it always a production w/ him. He grew up poor so he thinks we need to save every penny. I have the money, I just wanna go out! So I prefer to go See a movie in the theater, but… I hardly ever do because Lee thinks we need to “not waste money”! 🙄

[CrazyGirl2]

Thank you for the MHO, Tom ( @AviatorTom ) 🤗 🥰

[IslaTheWitch]

at home... but for some movies, we go with friends and then for dinner and we speak about the movie and share our impressions and generally enjoy...

we have already a schedule ready :D
Aug 15th Alien: Romulus
Sep 5th Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Devil Wears Prada 2 still has no release date...

but we rarely go on release day... rather 2 or 3 weeks later, when there are no people and we can watch it almost alone :D

[AviatorTom]

@IslaTheWitch I agree with waiting. I waited more than a week to see Deadpool and Wolverine. There were 6 of us in the theater for a matinee showing.

[Massageman]

At home.

Used to be theaters, but since - - - - - 1. Most theaters know that they have been outflanked by on-line services and are barely now doing the minimum in maintenance and sanitation procedures (if that). 2. Prices for simple commodity items such as popcorn and soda have become ludicrously high. 3. My couch is much more comfortable than any theater seat in which I've ever sat. 4. Theaters in our area don't even put up signs with the current movies: they expect me to take my time and go online and dig them out. pffffft

Because of all that- and now that I can get all sorts of content on my computerized TV at ZERO cost- I will stay at home, thank you.

[Massageman]

Thanks for the MHO.

[Skinhead-1979]

At HomeA Cinema Screen is too big for me... Sound is too loud; special effect sounds often drown out voices... Too many people... No breaks (at least not in UK Cinemas)... Chairs are uncomfortable and not enough leg space.

My prefer 'method' of watching TV; lay on the bed with my partner (would I have one), cuddled up together.

[petitedollbabee]

Home. I can pause it whenever I need to step away.

[frenchgirl123]

It depends on the theatre, to be honest. I am a sucker for old cinemas, they have so much charm it's infectious. But sometimes, it can just be the overall vibe that makes it great. For instance, I was lucky enough to watch MaXXXine in an empty theatre and it was glorious and that is something you can't recreate at home.

However, it is also nice to watch films at home: privacy is guaranteed and it is cheaper, especially if you're a family. I mean I don't think cinema theatre tickets are unaffordable at local independent cinemas in general, it is the chain ones I mostly avoid: one for the lack of atmosphere and two they're just way more expensive too.

In all fairness, it really depends on individual circumstances that play an influence on whether you watch a film at the theatre or home.

[OfMiceandMen]

At home, I have a decent TV and Bose sound system. I also have a nice cozy fireplace in the TV room and can put one on in the winter time and snuggle up to my pup on the couch. If I look back out the window I can see Georgian Bay, the moon and stars.

The theatre can't touch that.

[juliammm]

I am not sure the pandemic is a relevant milestone.

It is more technology-driven, with the capability to have 65" or more TV, 4k, with a decent sound system.

The comfort of streaming, being able to pause several times during a 2 or 3-hour film.

I prefer to watch at home.

[paledreams]

In theatre however - however as I'm getting older and more I guess paranoid about how the world can be unpredictable and the likes of pick pocketers robberies etc - I think staying at home sure is easier lol 😆 maybe I think in another 1-3 years movie chains or theatre chains will go the way of the DVD rental shops 😜😄 📀💽

[LiamJHayden]

Home. I can purchase the Blu-ray for around what two tickets cost, often less, and watch it with friends with the ability to pause if interrupted and rewind if something is missed. Can watch as many times as I like while having far less expensive and far healthier snacks, without the worry of stepping or sitting in "who knows what?"

[DizzyDesii]

Theater back in the day when people actually laughed out loud and shit. Now its so quiet and expensive that i almost wish i stayed home. That said, i will be going to the movies for 3 diff movies this month lol

[BCRanger10]

It depends on the movie. Independence Day, Interstellar, Inception, the original Star Wars, and others like them are easily theater movies.

Most other movies are good in theaters, but the experience isn't diminished at home.

[DJB72]

I prefer a cinema. But prices for a seat plus popcorn etc is more than the cost of a good steak dinner these days. When Netflix is only R200 a month it's not worth the stress of trying to get to a cinema for 99% of the movies made

[MrOracle]

There are rare exceptions where seeing it in a theater is worth it, but I have an excellent home theater (it's my job, after all) and I can get pretty close to the theater experience at home, so I rarely go to the theater.

I went to Top Gun Maverick and John Wick 4, but it might have been John Wick 3 that was before those two.

[sage2021]

At home! At least I don't have to worry about some maniac shooting up a theater full of people just because.
Plus those chairs have lice on them. I don't need that!

[ArrowheadSW]

Usually at home. That way you can pause the movie for a break, or go back and play something if you think you missed something. I have not been to the theater in a lot of years!

[exitseven]

I have not been to a movie theater since before Covid.

[AviatorTom]

@exitseven I saw Deadpool and Wolverine yesterday at a theater. There were 6 of us in the 100+-seat theater.

[exitseven]

I played hookey from work and saw Batman-The Dark Knight Rises at a theater. I had the whole place to myself.

[luvstoned4him]

At home is more comfortable for me

I can be locked in my room with cooling, as much popcorn as I want, peace and quiet in my comfortable bed.

[FreyaRed]

At home, but going to cinema theater is one of few opportunities to eat an expensive but very good burger in one cinema restaurant in my city.

[Iron_Man]

I like going out to see a live picture right at the giant live huge two-story movie screen a movie just came out that’s what I love and all that fancy popcorn and people out in public. That’s the best of the best who wants to stay home for the rest of their lives and watch it on a little tv screen being a hermit

[Apple1996]

At home in my bed. Going out to watch a movie sucks

[purplepoppy]

99% of the time I'll just wait until I can see it at home

[LadyBecks]

I prefer watching movies at home. It's more comfortable and cheaper.

[Nikki1989]

We have a top-end home theater system. Paying to go to a cinema would be pointless.

[Starrrboy]

At home... I like to get reaaally comfortable when watching a movie.. and pause anytime I want..

[msc545]

I prefer it at home. I think my top of the line equipment provides a better experience than I can have in any theater.

[dolemite58]

Action movies in the theater, everything else at home

[robocop666]

where is the link to source this? I would vote at home

[StudyingAuthor]

At home.

[Mad836362738]

Theater. The thrill of others listening

[OlderAndWiser]

At home, always!

[justabuddy]

At home.