Since their rise in popularity during the “Roaring Twenties,” movie theaters have been important cultural centers throughout America. After a century of being a staple for socialization and entertainment, movie theaters have experienced a significant decline over the past few years. Even though I have rarely gone to movie theaters in the past few years, I am troubled by the possibility of a loss of such an essential cultural hub.
The 2020 Covid-19 pandemic caused a drastic decline in ticket sales with the mandate of quarantining, making going to movie theaters prohibited. The box office generated 81% less revenue in 2020 than it did the previous year. Not only did profits decline, but many theaters closed down. While movie theater chains were able to reopen after the initial lockdown, many local and independent cinemas went out of business and were forced to close. Almost 5,000 movie theaters have closed down nationwide since 2020, which is a number that will continue to drop if it follows current trends.
As cinemas continue to struggle to stay in business, they have to increase ticket prices to keep up with the popular and readily accessible streaming services. During the pandemic, the majority of people shifted over to using streaming services. They offer modern conveniences that were never possible with theaters: a wide selection of movies and shows, all easily accessible from your own home. Even though movie theaters have reopened since the pandemic, most people still gravitate to the convenience and comfort of streaming services. I usually wait until a movie is available on a streaming service instead of going to see it in theaters, even if it is something I have been waiting for to come out. Streaming services have even begun to offer same-day releases. This makes it possible to view new movies on the day they are released, when in the past they were only available in theaters. This only adds to the seemingly unimportance of cinemas.
So, why should we focus on helping movie theaters when streaming services are so much more easily accessible? Although changes during the pandemic decreased the convenience of movie theaters with fewer locations and higher prices, I believe that as a community, we should make an effort to bring them back. Losing movie theaters would result in one less place to build community. As we continue to modernize as a society, there is a lack of social spaces where people can gather as a community and participate in shared experiences. Instead, we get caught up in our devices and social media, isolating us from the rest of the world. I have even noticed and experienced more interest in scrolling on social media instead of watching long-form content like movies. Movie theaters are the perfect communal spaces to engage in entertainment and community.
The loss of movie theaters would result in a loss of decades of history. For generations, movie theaters have been a space for first dates, birthday parties or transformative experiences like watching your lifetime favorite movie for the first time. They are spaces that carry memories; generations have sat in the same chairs, looking up at the same screen. The loss of movie theaters would mark the disappearance of a shared cultural history. While it is always important for us to change and grow as a society, I believe that everyone should have the chance to create their own memories in movie theaters.
