Ticket sales for Movie theaters have gone up in 2009. Why this is interesting is because there has been a slight decrease in sales over the past few years and many predicted that dvds and downloads were going to slowly take over. The home theater becoming cheaper to create as well as better technology for a better picture and sound was thought to dwindle ticket sales but 2009 goes to show that this might not be the case.
I know that I have always loved going to the theater with my friends and am happy to see that others are sharing this love for the theater, but why has there been this overall increase? I can see a few reasons for this to have happened. IMAX for one has gained ground in its popularity. These theaters strengthen that gap between a home theater experience and an IMAX experience. It is not possible for anyone to recreate something like these theaters at this time. It offers a new experience especially with new technology that gives the viewer an even more immersive experience.
It could also be said that it is from the films themselves. 2009 had a lot of huge box office hits. Could it be as simple as the films themselves have been more desirable to see? I am not certain what the reason is for sure and I am sure it is a combination of a few variables. I am curious if it is the format itself that has growing back into popularity.
To me the theater can be looked at as a community experience, sitting in a dark room with others (friends and strangers) can create an experience unlike that of watching at home. Is it the experience itself that has grown in popularity? Is this a cultural change? Do you prefer to go out to see a film rather than staying in? I am curious what you think of going to theaters vs. staying home.
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I find it very interesting that theater sales are up considering ticket prices continually increase. The AMC Theatre near my hometown is up to 10.50$ a ticket. That actually turns me off from going to see a movie, because I can go get used DVD's for the same price and watch them whenever. I feel lik movie ticket sales are increasing because going to the movies is a social event. A date is usually dinner and a movie, or when you get together with old friends you tend to see a movie then go out for food and drinks after and talk. I think it's just ridiculous how expensive they're getting.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that it is nice to see movie theaters doing better. In the fall it seemed that whenever I went to the movies the theater was empty (except for on $5 Tuesdays). The last movie I saw was "Up in the Air" and I was happy to see a full theater. Perhaps the increase is the result of an improving economy and the winter season's cabin fever epidemic? I hope movie theaters don't become completely obsolete because I find the event of going out to a movie fun for a change of pace (as opposed to getting a movie On Demand).
ReplyDeleteI don't find that all too hard to believe. I am personally not a huge fan of the movies simply because of price. However lately, there have been a lot of groundbreaking movies and technologies.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of people are going to see movies multiple times, but in different formats. I know in my group of friends people often see a movie in the regular theaters first, and then deem if its worth seeing in IMAX. If they do, the spend almost 1.5 times the price of the first ticket to see the same movie again. A considerable amount of movies have been released in IMAX this year, and I bet that's a contributing factor.
Motion pictures have a long track record of being recession-proof (and in the 1930s, depression-proof), so this plays to form. The points you and other commentators are making are valid (technology-driven films, communal aspects of spectatorship, the want to go out w/out TOO high of a cost)... I still need to see AVATAR, though, sad to say....
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