Fewer people are going out to the movies. Why?

Isabel Lindner and Alexa Stone, Grade 11, Staff Writers

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Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max are all examples of streaming services that keep people on their couches watching movies from the comfort of their home, instead of in theaters. Common Sense looks at whether these easily accessible streaming services as well as additional factors are the cause of movie theaters having experienced a decline in visitors. 

    Variety states that after the pandemic, 15% to 20% of people stopped going to the cinemas. During lockdown, theaters were empty, and people took advantage of the ability to watch movies at home and stopped going in person. 

    Many wonder why they pay for tickets when they can watch at home. Some students at HSAS continue to choose watching at home over going to the cinema. Eoin Coleman (‘29) states “I prefer watching at home because it’s cheaper, and I have got more of a selection.” 

    Others also prefer watching at home, but think that going out to the movies is a good activity to do with friends. 

    “It depends if I’m with friends or alone. With friends, I’d prefer to go the movies, make it an outing and have a good time, but if I was alone or maybe with like one person I would probably just watch them at home, since it’s just as enjoyable and entertaining, but without paying for a ticket,” shares Gavin Metzner (‘27).

   Some think going out to the movies is a fun thing to do to get out of the house, but still, others think sometimes it is not worth the cost of a ticket. In 2025, the average ticket price was $16.08, while it was $9.11 in 2018 when going to the movie theater was more popular. 

    Then, there are people who love being immersed in the theater by the big screen and the noise of others. 

    Chloe Wang (‘28) says, “I prefer going to the movies because it feels more immersive and is more of an experience. It’s a fleeting feeling of entering another world and is a nice escape from reality.” 

    While there is a decline in the amount of people going to the theater, some still like to have the experience of sitting in a reclining chair and being the first to see the new movie.     

    Overall, cinemas have seen a decline in the amount of movie goers since COVID. As streaming services become more popular, many see it as a cheaper and more comfortable way to watch their new favorite movies.