Does anyone go to the movies anymore?

18IsTheMan

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Oct 1, 2014
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I've been to a handful of movies over the last several years...and maybe not that many. Might do one a year if something comes out I think would be fun to go with the kids.

My sister lives in Simpsonville and recently went to a matinee with her 2 sons. Three matinee tickets and three medium drinks was $72.

Back when I was a teenager, my friends and I would go see a movie most weekends. It wasn't such a financial investment that you had to consider whether you really wanted to do it or not. Didn't even really have to be dying to see the movie. It was just to have something to do. Now, I don't even consider going. Last movie I went to was "David" with my 2 older kids in December. I'm not sure what the last one was before that.
 

JohnnySolo

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May 6, 2011
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At least your cost per minute was low. Last movie I saw was Top Gun Maverick. Think I saw it twice. Once with each son. On a side note I took the family out to Halls ChopHouse in Columbia for my son's 16th birthday. $520.00 with tip. We all had steak. Shared 3 sides and the wife and I had 2 beverages a piece, which accounted for about $50.00 of the total. Safe to say we won't ever do that again.
 
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rockingamecock

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It's generally expensive and the movies pretty much suck these days. We've been to one movie in the last year (the last Downton Abbey film).
 

18IsTheMan

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The last movie I saw in a theater was Saving Private Ryan in 1998. Hollywood sucks. All they really produce now are woke remakes or comic book movies.

It's generally expensive and the movies pretty much suck these days. We've been to one movie in the last year (the last Downton Abbey film).

same here, there are few movies worth seeing on the big screen, so I just wait until they are on netflix etc.

Yeah, so many movies these days are derivative. Doesn't seem like there are very many original ideas coming out.

I might have taken my daughter to see Cinderella a while back but Disney botched that up in the most magnificent way possible. Same with Supergirl.
 
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I go to the movies 2-3 times a year, and usually its kids movies for my daughter. I have found the Nickelodeon in downtown Columbia is less expensive than the other theatres in town and I like the idea of supporting a local small business instead of an out of town corporation like AMC.
 
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18IsTheMan

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I am in the "wait till it streams" mode.

There are a few movies my kids were interested in, but each time they shake it off and say theyll wait till its streaming too.

Have to wonder about the future of theaters.

It's kind of like going to football games. The cost and inconvenience make it FAR more reasonable to just watch at home.

Going to the movies used to be a fun thing to do, just to have something to do because it didn't cost an arm and a leg. As I said above, my friends and I would go to a movie most weekends. Even if you didn't like the movie, no biggie. It didn't cost a fortune, and you were hanging out with your friends. Throw in all the agenda-driven stuff these days, and it's hard for me to think of a movie I'd really need to see in a theater.

My kids never actually ask to go to a movie.
 
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Lurker123

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It's kind of like going to football games. The cost and inconvenience make it FAR more reasonable to just watch at home.

Going to the movies used to be a fun thing to do, just to have something to do because it didn't cost an arm and a leg. As I said above, my friends and I would go to a movie most weekends. Even if you didn't like the movie, no biggie. It didn't cost a fortune, and you were hanging out with your friends. Throw in all the agenda-driven stuff these days, and it's hard for me to think of a movie I'd really need to see in a theater.

My kids never actually ask to go to a movie.

The agenda stuff has certainly hurt those comic book movies, imo. But I think movies have always been high priced.

I should clarify. The food and drinks have always been ridiculous. Inflation makes the numbers higher, but i was raised by parents who, decades ago, would tell me to eat before or after a movie because the concessions were priced ridiculously.
 

Piscis

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I can't remember the last time I went to see a movie in a theater. I wanted to see "Ford v. Ferrari" in the theater, but couldn't make myself pay what they want for a ticket with the chance that the movie might suck. I had to wait a few years, but I did see it on streaming and it was good and I still enjoyed it, so I feel like that was a win for me. I don't care much for comic book movies, CGI movies (feels like watching a long computer game) or being preached to by some woke writer/producer who has to make certain to paint White males as either stupid, greedy, evil or incompetent (unless they are a flaming homo, which makes them a darling of the film).

The last movie I went to, I was treated to having to endure a bunch of democrats laughing and talking to each other, talking on their phones and generally acting a fool while I was trying to watch the movie. Going to a movie has lost pretty much all of its appeal to me.
 
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18IsTheMan

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The agenda stuff has certainly hurt those comic book movies, imo. But I think movies have always been high priced.

I should clarify. The food and drinks have always been ridiculous. Inflation makes the numbers higher, but i was raised by parents who, decades ago, would tell me to eat before or after a movie because the concessions were priced ridiculously.
Oh, I have always snuck my own snacks in. When I was younger, I was terrified some vigilant movie theater worker would notice the bulge in my pocket and call police. Now I realize they don't give a crap about their jobs. I'll admit, the 2 or 3 times I've taken my kids, I've given them the theater experience with popcorn, candy and drink. But that was certainly a special, one-off thing.

In the 1995, the average movie ticket price was $4.35, which was quite manageable. I think now it's upwards of $20. The price has far outpaced inflation.

And, back then, you had the 99 cent movie theaters, which were awesome. Used to go to those a ton.
 

gamecock stock

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I used to like some of the comic book movies b/c I enjoyed a mindless action flick. Then they started getting preachy.
When I was a kid, my Dad owned and operated 2 retail business: 1. a liquor store and 2. a store where he sold, ice cream, hot dogs, hamburgers, milk shakes. cigarettes, cigars, colas, candy, chips and magazines. As a kid, I never got into reading the comic books he sold. I read (actually looked at) Playboy and Penthouse magazines. Those were, for me, the good ole days.
 
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Lurker123

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I can't remember the last time I went to see a movie in a theater. I wanted to see "Ford v. Ferrari" in the theater, but couldn't make myself pay what they want for a ticket with the chance that the movie might suck. I had to wait a few years, but I did see it on streaming and it was good and I still enjoyed it, so I feel like that was a win for me. I don't care much for comic book movies, CGI movies (feels like watching a long computer game) or being preached to by some woke writer/producer who has to make certain to paint White males as either stupid, greedy, evil or incompetent (unless they are a flaming homo, which makes them a darling of the film).

The last movie I went to, I was treated to having to endure a bunch of democrats laughing and talking to each other, talking on their phones and generally acting a fool while I was trying to watch the movie. Going to a movie has lost pretty much all of its appeal to me.

You should NOT have to wait years. It'll be on regular TV by then.

We watch moviesna couple months or less after they are out of the theater sometimes. On Prime. Sometimes we rent them for about 4 or 5 dollars.
 
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will110

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I was trying to remember this the other day, and I believe the last two I saw in a theater were Mission Impossible 6 and Dunkirk. I don't think I've been to a theater since Covid.

Now I do have 4 kids ages 5 and under, so it's a bit difficult to go to the movies these days (lol). My wife and I talked about going to see the last Bond movie, Top Gun 2, and Mission Impossible 7 and 8, but we just didn't bite the bullet. I'm sure we'll go again at some point but it'll probably be awhile. Honestly these days I'm more interested in a special event rerun, like the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It was back in theaters earlier this year. Seeing those in theater would be pretty amazing I'm sure.
 

kidrobinski

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Last movie I went to was A Star Is Born, and I spent the movie streaming the Missouri game at W-B where Mizzou imploded and the Bentley haters anointed Scarnecchia as the second coming because he completed a pass to an uncovered tight end. I didn’t even know Bradley Cooper had died until we were on the way home.
 

PrestonyteParrot

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No!
The value of going to the movie theater has decreased immensely and really is similar to what has happened with attending a CFB game in person vs watching on TV given the cost involved with both.
Although, I admit the atmosphere and comradery at the tailgate with friends is much different than a dark theater with strangers and I do miss that part of CFB experience but TV gives me the best seat in the house with easy refreshment and bathroom benefits.
 
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I went all the time on the weekends when my kids we little, under 12, and fell a sleep every time, nothing like a solid afternoon nap on a Saturday, in a super dark room, to feel refereshed, and then coming home to a very happy wife after a much needed break from the kids, it was well worth the cost!

 
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CreekSnake

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Jan 22, 2024
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I have 8 grandkids between 12 and 6 months.Love being around them but I find it exhausting.
I have a son who’s a physician with 4 young boys and in today’s world he can hardly afford to feed them.
 
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Piscis

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No!
The value of going to the movie theater has decreased immensely and really is similar to what has happened with attending a CFB game in person vs watching on TV given the cost involved with both.
Although, I admit the atmosphere and comradery at the tailgate with friends is much different than a dark theater with strangers and I do miss that part of CFB experience but TV gives me the best seat in the house with easy refreshment and bathroom benefits.
I have a friend who, when a game is a night game, will go to the tailgate around 11:00, tailgate with friends until around 5:30 or 6:00 and then drive to his lake house and watch the game on tv. He sets the DVR to record the game, so even if he gets to the lake house after kickoff, he can watch from the very beginning.

I think he might have the best plan I've heard of.
 

Anon1742573506

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Mar 21, 2025
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Last movie I went to was A Star Is Born, and I spent the movie streaming the Missouri game at W-B where Mizzou imploded and the Bentley haters anointed Scarnecchia as the second coming because he completed a pass to an uncovered tight end. I didn’t even know Bradley Cooper had died until we were on the way home.
Thanks for ruining it for me😄
 

Uscg1984

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Mar 9, 2006
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I try to support the local theater when they have a movie that isn't about superheroes, toys (transforming or otherwise), vampires, or is a remake of something that shouldn't have been remade. Which means I go to about 2 per year.
 

CreekSnake

Sophomore
Jan 22, 2024
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I can't remember the last time I went to see a movie in a theater. I wanted to see "Ford v. Ferrari" in the theater, but couldn't make myself pay what they want for a ticket with the chance that the movie might suck. I had to wait a few years, but I did see it on streaming and it was good and I still enjoyed it, so I feel like that was a win for me. I don't care much for comic book movies, CGI movies (feels like watching a long computer game) or being preached to by some woke writer/producer who has to make certain to paint White males as either stupid, greedy, evil or incompetent (unless they are a flaming homo, which makes them a darling of the film).

The last movie I went to, I was treated to having to endure a bunch of democrats laughing and talking to each other, talking on their phones and generally acting a fool while I was trying to watch the movie. Going to a movie has lost pretty much all of its appeal to me.
Ford vs Ferrari -vastly underrated in my book
 
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Blues man

Joined Jul 1, 2009
Jan 22, 2022
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Not really. I can always wait until a movie comes out on TV. That said, I've seen two movies in the last 30 years or so in theaters. The first was Days of Thunder, The wife took me because it opened on my birthday and we were at one of the tracks during filming and wanted to see if our campsite on the infield could be seen. The second was The Polar Express because I had never seen an IMAX movie and that seemed to be a good one to take the kids to. Polar Express was great... Days of Thunder not so much.
 

Piscis

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Ford vs Ferrari -vastly underrated in my book
I was familiar with the story of the GT40 before the movie came out. The producers did a good job of staying fairly true to the actual story. Christian Bale did a great job as Ken Miles. Matt Damon was sort of unbelievable as Carrol Shelby, too Hollywood. Tracy Letts was spot on for Henry Ford II.
 

Piscis

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It's ironic to me that theaters, in the face of decreasing attendance, keep raising prices.
It is the circle of doom in business. Revenue falls off due to lower attendance/crowds so, the business raises prices to increase revenue. The increased prices drive away more customers and the cycle starts over. This happens until no customers come to the business anymore.

This is especially common in restaurants.
 
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92Pony

Joined Jan 18, 2011
Jan 18, 2011
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I think the last movie I saw in the theatre was POTC - Dead Men Tell No Tales. My daughter and I saw it 2-3x, because we're big Pirates fans. Unfortunately, that movie, I thought, was the worst of the series..... But anyway; That was 2017.
 

18IsTheMan

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Oct 1, 2014
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Supergirl is projected to lose a whopping $100 million. The only thing surprising is how unsurprising it is.

I don't know they insist on making movies that nobody is asking for and that are doomed to box office failures.

"What does NOBODY want to see? An all-female Ghostbusters. Ok, let's spend $150 million making THAT."
 

Thunderstick

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Jan 21, 2022
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I've been to a handful of movies over the last several years...and maybe not that many. Might do one a year if something comes out I think would be fun to go with the kids.

My sister lives in Simpsonville and recently went to a matinee with her 2 sons. Three matinee tickets and three medium drinks was $72.

Back when I was a teenager, my friends and I would go see a movie most weekends. It wasn't such a financial investment that you had to consider whether you really wanted to do it or not. Didn't even really have to be dying to see the movie. It was just to have something to do. Now, I don't even consider going. Last movie I went to was "David" with my 2 older kids in December. I'm not sure what the last one was before that.
Over the last 30 years I have morphed from sometimes going to two movies in a day to NEVER going to movie theaters anymore. The most recent films I saw were Tom Cruise's "Top Gun: Maverick" and "Ford v Ferrari." There are several reasons for me no longer going to theaters:

~ the complete absence or non-awareness of movie-going etiquette (to include the advent of the cellphone)
~ the amazing OLED TVs available to us and being able to watch when we want
~ great streaming sites with tremendous inventories of very good TV series and films
~ that certain audience demographic that feels the need to "talk back to the screen" throughout the movie -- God forbid if it's a horror film

When I begin to read a movie critic's piece in the newspaper (E-edition, of course) the FIRST THING I DO is search for where the movie is playing -- if it's not on a streaming site I immediately stop reading...not interested -- I am perfectly happy to wait until it hits Netflix, Amazon Prime, AppleTV, Paramount+, et al. And, that microwave popcorn has gotten better and better over the years!
 

18IsTheMan

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Oct 1, 2014
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Over the last 30 years I have morphed from sometimes going to two movies in a day to NEVER going to movie theaters anymore. The most recent films I saw were Tom Cruise's "Top Gun: Maverick" and "Ford v Ferrari." There are several reasons for me no longer going to theaters:

~ the complete absence or non-awareness of movie-going etiquette (to include the advent of the cellphone)
~ the amazing OLED TVs available to us and being able to watch when we want
~ great streaming sites with tremendous inventories of very good TV series and films
~ that certain audience demographic that feels the need to "talk back to the screen" throughout the movie -- God forbid if it's a horror film

When I begin to read a movie critic's piece in the newspaper (E-edition, of course) the FIRST THING I DO is search for where the movie is playing -- if it's not on a streaming site I immediately stop reading...not interested -- I am perfectly happy to wait until it hits Netflix, Amazon Prime, AppleTV, Paramount+, et al. And, that microwave popcorn has gotten better and better over the years!
Well said.