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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think cinemas will soon become obsolete?

189 replies

Keyansier · 22/10/2022 19:34

Reasons why:

  1. Home media systems are getting bigger and better as each year passes.
  2. Society is getting more inconsiderate as each year passes and people think nothing of yakking all the way through a film or playing on their phone/kids playing on their ipads.
  3. Films are available through home streaming 1 or 2 months after a cinema release these days, not like before when it would take over a year until a video/DVD release.
  4. The cost, which isn't worth points 2 and 3.
  5. The after effects of covid and lockdown and films being released on home media only - people realising they don't actually miss the cinema at all.
OP posts:
SprinkleOfSunak · 22/10/2022 23:16

I hope not for everyone’s sake.

I really worry about young people in particular, as if we lose cinemas, then this will be a relatively safe space they have lost.

AGreatUserName123 · 22/10/2022 23:22

I'm not sure.
The last few weeks my local cinema has been showing "old" movies. We saw Jaws a couple of weeks ago and tonight we are just back from "Poltergeist". There is nothing like seeing a good film on a cinema screen, nothing beats it.

tandmoo · 22/10/2022 23:34

I haven't been for maybe 6-8 years, no intention of going ever again

Bpickle1 · 22/10/2022 23:35

Let’s bloody hope not, at least keep the independent cinemas that actually show decent film. In independent cinemas most people are there to watch the film anyway so defeats some of your points. Who honestly thinks watching a film at home is better?

XenoBitch · 22/10/2022 23:36

AGreatUserName123 · 22/10/2022 23:22

I'm not sure.
The last few weeks my local cinema has been showing "old" movies. We saw Jaws a couple of weeks ago and tonight we are just back from "Poltergeist". There is nothing like seeing a good film on a cinema screen, nothing beats it.

I am waiting for a cinema to show Ghostbusters. I might actually expode!

Cw112 · 22/10/2022 23:38

I love the cinema, don't even care what I watch I just love going for the experience of it. I do think cinemas will struggle more now so could get more expensive which might become a vicious cycle but it's one of our favourite date nights.

DdraigGoch · 23/10/2022 00:09

maybe the big multiplex is over but more independent ones will survive?

I hope so. The multiplexes are soulless, and patronised by too many arseholes. I much prefer smaller cinemas, preferably with ushers who rule with a rod of iron.

FrenchOnionShoeBox · 23/10/2022 00:09

People can eat at home but restaurants still exist.

Cinemas will change with the times but I think they’ll always exist. We have a local one-screen cinema that’s been restored, nice plush interior, bar, comfy seats. It’s packed every night.

MrsDrDear · 23/10/2022 00:17

Love the cinema but can't cope with people using their phones constantly. The light is so distracting.
So point 2 stops me from going more.

Tumbleweed101 · 23/10/2022 00:20

I enjoy a trip to cinema. Free night out with meerkat movies and a friend with a cineworld card.

HauntersGonnaHaunt · 23/10/2022 01:17

DdraigGoch · 23/10/2022 00:09

maybe the big multiplex is over but more independent ones will survive?

I hope so. The multiplexes are soulless, and patronised by too many arseholes. I much prefer smaller cinemas, preferably with ushers who rule with a rod of iron.

The independent ones will be the first to go. Two have shut in Scotland in the past few weeks.

mogsrus · 23/10/2022 06:25

Independent cinemas always take a hit first as the T&Cs will be extortionate. As I posted earlier, renters call the absolute tune& want maximum screen time for the product, that’s why you wou see the same show now in different screens at different times of the day, you are not dragging reels of film round anymore just changing server units, Renters are under obligation to get as much revenue back to the distribution people to fulfil the contract with them& at the moment it’s the only way to do it. It’s s very cutthroat business, if you have 40seats more than my cinema, you get first pickings.

Burnt0utMum · 23/10/2022 06:57

I very rarely go to the cinema due to the cost. When we do go, it's usually to one of the discounted kids screenings. I'm not so bothered what the film is as long as we haven't seen it before but like to go to enjoy the experience. We take our own snacks too.

echt · 23/10/2022 06:57

No. I regularly go the oldest still-running cinema in Victoria, and it won't get shut down. Like a poster upthread, I can sit through a long film in a cinema, but not at home. I love that you can have a decent glass of wine -in a glass!!! in the cinema.

Got say this though, across the range of cinemas I've been in in Victoria, Australian audiences are way better-mannered than in the UK. I lived in the UK for 50 years and know what I'm on about. And the cinema stuff will take on the few wankers there are.

echt · 23/10/2022 06:58

Staff not stuff.

MichaelFabricantWig · 23/10/2022 06:59

I love the cinema, I go loads. It’s usually cheaper than streaming on TV, comfy seats and a big screen.

balalake · 23/10/2022 07:34

I don't think they will disappear completely. They may be different in the range of films they offer, and I wonder if in smaller towns some may go completely.

The behaviour issues go wider than cinemas, probably the entitled/anti-social customers and the lack of support staff get from managers started elsewhere and has spread to them.

LimitIsUp · 23/10/2022 11:23

I go to the cinema regularly. I rarely encounter problems with other members of the public - I don't see people using their phones during the performance and I don't regularly encounter people chatting. Perhaps 5% of the time their has been as issue - and since I am quite ballsy, in those few instances I have tackled the offender myself or gone and found a staff member. I can't fathom the posters referring to anti social behaviour in the cinema because it's just not my experience as a frequent cinema goer

OP83 · 23/10/2022 11:29

The 'people' factor is the biggest deterrent for me.

I like to 'look forward' to trips out but any pleasure from plans is eliminated by the 'what if there's a screaming child?', 'what if there's a selfish twat who talks all the time?'. It's not cheap to goto the cinema now so I'm not going to gamble on my experience being ruined by others' selfishness.

It's the same as going out for dinner now. I LOVE going out for dinner with my other-half but the stress I experience when I see there's a table with more kids than adults immediately makes my heart sink and I wish I'd stayed home*

*Yes, yes, I know! Some (many) children can behave in pubs and restaurants (and it's a topic as old as the hills) but the fact that so many cannot (or more importantly, will not be made to) makes the expensive act of going out for dinner a bit too much of a gamble for me.

soulinablackberrypie · 23/10/2022 11:33

I've just started going to the cinema again and I intend to carry on. Going to the cinema feels like a treat. Watching a DVD doesn't. As long as there are people who have a sense of occasion, there will be people who want to go to the cinema.

Original poster
Keyansier · 23/10/2022 12:04

LimitIsUp · 23/10/2022 11:23

I go to the cinema regularly. I rarely encounter problems with other members of the public - I don't see people using their phones during the performance and I don't regularly encounter people chatting. Perhaps 5% of the time their has been as issue - and since I am quite ballsy, in those few instances I have tackled the offender myself or gone and found a staff member. I can't fathom the posters referring to anti social behaviour in the cinema because it's just not my experience as a frequent cinema goer

Out of interest, are you in the UK?

OP posts:
mrcow · 23/10/2022 12:13

We go all the time.

Its £3 per ticket at Cineworld on a weekend with the 3 Mobile app. Went last night and it was practically empty 😥

secretfreckle · 23/10/2022 12:14

Love going to the cinema!
I've been to see 'Don't Worry Darling' and 'Ticket to Paradise' recently and am going to see Coldplay livestreamed later on this week. You can't beat watching a film on the big screen.
There are some really good films coming out (from trailers at the above films): 'She said' (about Harvey Weinstein and #MeToo), 'Living' (Bill Nighy)and 'Call Jane' (underground abortion). 'My Policeman' also comes out soon.
Other people do really spoil the cinema though with their phones and noisy eating.

MrsSkylerWhite · 23/10/2022 12:16

Our local independent charges £4 or £5 for tickets and is thriving.

BeanieTeen · 23/10/2022 12:33

There are certain films I would watch in a cinema, like a big colourful musical film or a noisy action film, or something like Jurassic park where big scale things are happening. I think having the big screen and big surround sound adds a lot to those. But I would never now think to watch a drama or rom com in the cinema now or just go ‘for something to do’ without even having a plan on what to watch like I did 10 years ago or so. I’ve got a great tv at home and my sofas are comfy - some films, probably most, definitely lend themselves better to being comfy in your bedroom or lounge in your pjs!