Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the cinema is massively overrated?

273 replies

RagzRebooted · 26/02/2022 20:40

Took the family to the cinema today. First time in years and actually the first time all 5 of us have gone together (2 adults, 3 12-15yr olds). Only did it because of the £3 Cineworld offer and brought our own snacks because OMG, the price of food and drink there is even more insane than I remember.

I'd been looking forward to it all week. Sat down and was initially impressed as they have built a new one in the town we went to and it's a much better layout, steeper seating (so no need to worry about view blocking) and more leg room, no flip down seats but big ones with headrests. Huge screen.

Here are my problems -
The picture quality is a lot worse than our TV. Obviously, as it's projected.
The screen is so big it's actually quite hard to look at.
The seats looked and felt comfy at first but my back was killing by the end of it.
Stank of various foods people were eating.
Full of people (kind of a given, but still a downside) all making various noises.
Can't just pause it, get up and have a wee, make a cuppa etc.

It was supposed to be a treat, but DH and I agree that we won't be doing it again!

The film was good, but I hadn't even heard of it before looking up what was on and would have been quite happy watching it next year on a streaming service. I can understand going to watch something highly anticipated if it's something you're really into (like Marvel or some other big serial thing), especially for teens. I'm just not that into films and happy to watch then a year later.

I just don't get the appeal of sitting and watching a film crammed in with a load of strangers. I feel like it's something other people do all the time and I'm just being wierd not liking it!

OP posts:
Rosebuud · 26/02/2022 22:37

I think if you don’t enjoy it don’t go.

Personally I like it, but only for movies I really want to see on the big screen, so the last one recently was dune, which We really enjoyed. We often go for dinner and drinks after and make an evening of it.

LuckySantangelo35 · 26/02/2022 22:42

YANBU OP
It’s not that the cinema experience is bad per se just way overpriced for what it is and the films themselves tend to be really shit- churned out, opportunistic fodder

nosyupnorth · 26/02/2022 22:48

I like the cinema, it's much more engaging than being at home where there are always distractions and the sense that I probably ought to be doing something else. And when watching with others there's no infernal fannying about with people disrupting the veiwing experience wanting to pause it for a cuppa and to nip to the loo etc

Pandoracharm · 26/02/2022 22:49

I love going to the cinema. We have a cineworld card £15.99 a month. Good value as one visit is £12.99. We always bring own snacks as is £10 for a popcorn & drink! So works out £4 a week, is my treat after working all week.

Infinitemoon · 26/02/2022 23:00

I love the cinema but have poor experiences recently. Once the sound was so loud our ears were in pain, we complained but the sound couldn't be altered. Twice they didn't turn off the lights until we asked! Confused

Expensive and mostly ruined by annoying noisy people.

poTAYtoes · 26/02/2022 23:30

YANBU. There are some films where it's fun to watch as part of a larger audience, everyone laughing together, etc. It's more of an experience than watching at home, but you never know if the audience will be a good one or not, and it's still expensive and less comfortable than home viewings.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 26/02/2022 23:32

I've never really liked the cinema. Always cold and not very comfy although we now have those big seats where you're almost lying down which is better but I still don't enjoy i much. I only go if DD wants to.

Abouttimemum · 26/02/2022 23:52

The cinema is my favourite thing to do, we’ve got a Cineworld, Vue and Odeon all next to us and we alternate. Each to their own! Not been brave enough to take 2 year old DS yet though!

BogRollBOGOF · 26/02/2022 23:58

I used to go a lot until about 2010 then the prices rocketed. I'm not bothered about most Marvel/ Action films and there's little on that I can justify £10 each to go and see. The last thing I saw was Star Wars over two years ago and there's been nothing appealing since.

Bought the James Bond DVD for £10 recently. The plot was pretty garbled so I'm glad we didn't pay £10 per head to see it.

I miss the days when you could afford to take a gamble on a film you weren't guarenteed to love

Seemslikeagoodidea · 27/02/2022 00:02

@mydogisthebest

I think a decent film needs to be seen on a big cinema screen. The big problem with cinemas is the people in them.

Me and DH go to watch a film not eat and drink and it pisses me off when people are rustling wrappers, slurping drinks etc. Pretty sure they manage to sit and watch tv without having to eat all the time.

Also people in and out, presumably to go to the loo. I honestly think the majority of people have something wrong with their bladders. I can sit for 3/4/5 hours or longer without keep going to the loo. They must know they have a problem so why not sit on the end of a row? Oh no they sit further down so everyone has to stand up each time they go out and then come back in.

Going to the cinema uses to be great about 40 years ago. People didn't keep talking through the films, didn't seem to have to eat as much and just generally had more manners and respect for others

Spot on. I can't stand the smell of popcorn, and don't understand why anyone needs a bucket of the stuff, along with a gallon of something fizzy, to sustain them for a couple of hours. Also, the people constantly fiddling with their phones - it's like they would need to have them surgically removed to break the habit! Mind you, as so many people clearly feel the need for food and drink throughout the film, maybe they should split cinemas into two, and have one side for quiet, non eaters/non phone use, and the other side where anything goes.
Pinchofnom · 27/02/2022 00:11

We love the cinema and tend to go once a month at least. Our DC get so excited about every element of the experience and whilst you have to take out a second mortgage to buy the food we do love the hot popcorn, nachos etc.

DP and I sometimes go to the cinema without the DC and one of our local cinemas serve delicious cocktails and tapas style little dishes. Really lovely and romantic with massive sofas for you both to curl up on.

DdraigGoch · 27/02/2022 00:15

while the cinema gets you out into the world of other people and reminds you that they live and breathe just like you.
I'd be quite happy to forget about the sort of oxygen thieves who talk through a film.

Branleuse · 27/02/2022 00:23

I love the cinema. Hate watching films on a normal tv screen.

amnm · 27/02/2022 00:26

I think cinemas are on their way out to be honest, They're completely overpriced, and now it seems that a film will be available just 3 months on streaming services (e.g. West Side Story will be on Disney Plus from march 2).

I was in the massive Oden Luxe cinema which costs a fortune this week, it was a terrible experience. People around us crunching crisps throughout the film and some tipsy people (as there's a bar there) talking all the way through the film. And the screen isn't even that big, and we were sitting so far back that it would actually have been a better view sitting at home watching it on TV.

Classica · 27/02/2022 00:28

I find it so depressing when people are all 'cinemas are dead, you can see at home'. It's a totally different experience. And some people like to leave their homes.

mydogisthebest · 27/02/2022 08:04

@Seemslikeagoodidea me and DH used to go to The National Film Theatre once or twice a week and they didn't allow food in their cinemas. It was wonderful.

mydogisthebest · 27/02/2022 08:08

@amnm

I think cinemas are on their way out to be honest, They're completely overpriced, and now it seems that a film will be available just 3 months on streaming services (e.g. West Side Story will be on Disney Plus from march 2).

I was in the massive Oden Luxe cinema which costs a fortune this week, it was a terrible experience. People around us crunching crisps throughout the film and some tipsy people (as there's a bar there) talking all the way through the film. And the screen isn't even that big, and we were sitting so far back that it would actually have been a better view sitting at home watching it on TV.

People have been saying for years that cinemas are dying but it is clearly untrue.

Some cinemas are dearer than others but I think for a couple of hours entertainment most are very good value. Food and drink add to the price but neither are necessary.

Watching films on a tv is just nowhere near the same and many people do not have Disney Plus or Netflix/Sky whatever.

Cuddlemuffin · 27/02/2022 08:10

I enjoy going to the cinema but YANBU to dislike it for all the reasons you've given x

extractorfactor · 27/02/2022 08:26

Can't stand cinema or theatres anymore. I find both too loud. The theatre really winds me up as thespians should be able to project their voice without the need of microphones and stupidly loud amplifiers. Last time we saw the Panto both DC were in tears because it was so bloody loud and at £40 for a ticket, it's not okay....We ended up leaving, a lovely usher asked what was wrong, and I explained it was too loud, he said lots of people say that, so the theatre have ear defenders and would we like some so we can carry on watching......but WTAF shouldn't need bloody ear defenders!
Cinemas are no better far too loud. (I down loaded a decibel reader on my phone, both theatre and cinema registered louder than a pneumatic drill!!)

mogsrus · 27/02/2022 08:27

Cinema runs on food & drink sales,without that, they would never open the the doors as the rent on (films) is very expensive,plus running loads of air con plant,fridges,etc. The power cost is humongous + water rates+ business rates etc etc, & you can do a whole show to absolutely no one,the staff still need paying. Films run on a percentage return, the size of the cinema (seats) all this is negotiable, but nearly always n the renters favour. Going back to when Jaws was first released, the minimum return for that was a staggering 98% return, leaving the cinema with 2p for every pound, the minimum booking for that film was 6 weeks at that rate. after that it went down to 95% Hope this answers all your questions, older films will just have a basic charge for them which can be as low as 40£ so they claw back some lost revenue. The biggest pull though is the electricity. Those meters take off.

I worked in cinema for 20yrs

balalake · 27/02/2022 08:30

I do not have mainstream taste in cinema and so most of the time I go outside of film festivals the audience is small and children are rare. Probably half or more of the films I see are not in the English language. I enjoy going and it is a better experience for me than a film on my Mac, even though I have a large PC screen.

I can understand given the accounts of noisy children and smelly food how it is not something for everyone, though.

extractorfactor · 27/02/2022 08:34

@mogsrus

Cinema runs on food & drink sales,without that, they would never open the the doors as the rent on (films) is very expensive,plus running loads of air con plant,fridges,etc. The power cost is humongous + water rates+ business rates etc etc, & you can do a whole show to absolutely no one,the staff still need paying. Films run on a percentage return, the size of the cinema (seats) all this is negotiable, but nearly always n the renters favour. Going back to when Jaws was first released, the minimum return for that was a staggering 98% return, leaving the cinema with 2p for every pound, the minimum booking for that film was 6 weeks at that rate. after that it went down to 95% Hope this answers all your questions, older films will just have a basic charge for them which can be as low as 40£ so they claw back some lost revenue. The biggest pull though is the electricity. Those meters take off. I worked in cinema for 20yrs
Perhaps cinemas have had their day as they are clearly environmental monsters, not just with energy usage, but the landfill they generate must be huge!
Comtesse · 27/02/2022 08:40

Yabu. Cinema is supposed to be immersive. There is no way that watching on a tv at home gives the same experience. Beautiful art direction etc looks like nothing on telly - it is designed to be seen on a bigger screen.

Dune is a great example of a film that really resonated on a big screen (the scale, the visuals, the sound) but would lose so much impact on tv.

DSGR · 27/02/2022 08:42

We LOVE it. But even if I didn’t I’d go for my kids.

mogsrus · 27/02/2022 08:42

In all honesty, you can lower the cost by buying something from the Meercat web, we bought one day travel insurance, that cost 4.95 & you immediately get 241 tickets for a year if that’s not a bargain, I don’t know what is, so now we go every week total cost 6.90 for 2. But to be fair, how much is a pint? It’s all relavent in the scheme of things.