Why Every Movie Deserves To Be Seen In A Theater

After Okja’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and Roma’s Academy Award nominations and wins, numerous debates have emerged regarding the difference between streaming and theatrical film distribution. Steven Spielberg in particular has been very vocal on the matter, arguing that Netflix films should not qualify for Oscar nominations.

However, the flak against Netflix is too extreme. There are pros and cons to both streaming distribution and theatrical distribution. Just because a movie is released through a streaming service, that doesn’t make it any less of a film. Netflix has made movies more accessible to larger audiences and has given more filmmakers a platform through which to tell their stories.

Last year, 54% of people surveyed said they prefer to watch movies at home. Only 13%  said they’d rather see a movie in a theater. With the high cost of movie tickets and the convenience of Netflix, I can’t fault anyone for having a preference for staying home and streaming movies. In all honesty, I’m just glad that people are seeing movies in general, which is part of the reason why I believe the hate against Netflix is unwarranted.

We shouldn’t be condemning Netflix. Instead, we should be reminding audiences of the importance of seeing a film in a theater. There are plenty of justifiable reasons why someone would choose to stream a movie at home, but we mustn’t forget what a difference seeing a movie in a theater can make. We should be encouraging people to seek out the theater experience whenever possible, but we shouldn’t be criticizing them for watching a movie at home when that might very well be their only option.

All too often I hear people complain that movies aren’t as good as they used to be or that Hollywood has no original ideas left. But I promise you, there are still good movies out there. There are plenty of filmmakers with unique visions and stories worth sharing, they just don’t always have the budget or the support of a major studio. It takes more effort to find these original films, but they are out there. Unfortunately, unless you live in a major city, there’s a good chance that your local theater doesn’t screen many indie, arthouse, or foreign films; so your options may be limited to big-budget remakes and sequels. So believe me, I understand that sometimes streaming a movie at home is the only way to see certain films.

Although I’m thankful for the fact that streaming services make it easier for people to see the hidden gems that don’t get wide distribution, I don’t believe watching a movie at home is a sufficient alternative for going to the theater. In fact, I’m grateful every time an old film is re-released in a theater near me because it’s a rare opportunity to be able to see classic films on the big screen. People tend to question me if I tell them I’m going to the movies to see a film from 1964, because it seems illogical to spend time and money going to the theater to see something I could easily watch at home for free. They especially seem baffled if I’m going to the theater to see an old movie that I’ve already seen before.

I understand why it seems crazy to some, but I’ve experienced firsthand how seeing a movie in a theater can make a massive difference. For example, I went to see Schindler’s List (1993) when it was re-released this past December, despite the fact that it was available on Netflix. I had seen the film years ago but felt as though I didn’t pay enough attention because all I could recall about it was the iconic little girl in a red coat. At the time, I didn’t understand why people hailed the film as a masterpiece. After seeing it in theaters a few months ago, I definitely get it.

At the end of the day, every film deserves to be seen on the big screen (yes, even the ones you hate). But when I talk about seeing a movie in a theater, I don’t mean going to the movies and talking to your friend the entire time. Some people don’t understand why I’d pay to see a movie that I can watch for free, well I don’t understand why some people would pay to talk during a movie when they can talk anywhere else for free. The same can be said about blinding everyone around you by using your phone in the theater. Not only does it ruin the experience for the rest of the audience, but you’re wasting your own time and money when you could be playing with your phone elsewhere. When I talk about seeing a movie in a theater, I mean actually sitting in your seat and focusing on the film as it plays out in front of you. That is how movies are meant to be seen.

Artistic Intent

No filmmaker intends for their film to be watched on a smartphone or laptop. Although with the onslaught of Netflix originals being produced, that could change. At the very least, no filmmaker directs a movie in hopes that viewers will watch it at home while simultaneously scrolling through Instagram. Thousands of people come together to create a movie, and every movie you watch deserves your undivided attention. Sure, it’s tempting to reach for your phone while lounging in front of the TV, but by doing so you are not getting the full experience of watching the film. It’s like looking at a smaller reproduction of a painting or reading the CliffsNotes version of a book. You’re not truly watching a movie if you aren’t actually paying attention.

The way a movie plays in a theater is the way the filmmaker meant for people to view it. Watching a movie at home may offer the convenience of being able to press the pause button to run to the bathroom or replenish your snacks. But that’s not always a good thing. Pausing a movie too many times will take you out of the experience and can alter how you perceive the film. One can argue that watching a movie at home takes up less time than seeing it in theaters, but if you’re constantly pausing it then that’s not always the case. Most filmmakers create films meant to be watched in one sitting, unless they include an intermission. A director doesn’t make a movie in hopes that you’ll pause it before the final showdown. They also don’t intend for viewers to whisper to their friends during the “quiet moments” or ask if an actor is “that guy from that one movie” in the middle of the film.

Size Matters

Television screens have gotten bigger and surround sound systems have gotten better. But the cost of those things can really add up and not everyone has the space in their homes to create their own theater room. And even the best home theater can’t hold a candle to the immersive experience of seeing a film in theaters. Seeing a movie on a big screen in a dark theater puts you right in the middle of the world that the filmmaker has created. It makes it easier to notice all the tiny details that you might not pick up on if you were to watch the same movie on a smaller television. It makes the scary stuff all the more terrifying. It makes the emotional scenes even more powerful. It makes the action more exhilarating.

The Audience

People can make the moviegoing experience worse when they’re talking or texting in the theater, but they can also make it substantially better. You’re more likely to think a movie is hilarious if you’re in a theater filled to the brim with laughter. In fact, even the worst movie can be enjoyable if you’re seeing it in a theater full of people who are having a good time. Seeing a film in theaters is a collective experience. There’s something special about being in a room full of people and knowing you’re all experiencing the exact same thing and feeling the same emotions.

No Distractions

Unless there are inconsiderate people talking and texting in the audience, you’ll most likely experience less distractions if you’re seeing a movie in a theater. I already discussed the importance of giving a film your undivided attention, and one of the easiest ways to do that is to opt for the theater instead of streaming it from home. If you paid to see a movie, you’ll want to get your money’s worth. And since there are no pause or rewind buttons when you’re in a movie theater, you’re more likely to focus on the film and tune out any distractions.

Perhaps this will sound ridiculous, but the next time you watch a movie at home, try shutting off your phone and keeping the remote out of reach. When you can no longer readily pause the movie or check your phone, you might find that you’ll actually pay more attention to what you’re watching. I’m not saying that everyone should shut off their phone every time they sit in front of the TV, but if you do it once then you might realize just how often you tend to check your your phone during a movie.

The Experience

It’s easier to remember more about the movies we see in theaters than the ones we’ve streamed. Not solely because movie theaters force us to pay more attention to what we’re watching, but because the act of leaving home and going somewhere specifically to see a movie helps to better commit a film to memory. I can even remember the movies I rented from Blockbuster more than I can remember the movies I’ve streamed, because going to Blockbuster was an activity, it required that I go outside and physically bring a movie home in order to watch it.

Watching a VHS tape on a small television isn’t comparable to watching a film in a theater; but compared to streaming something on Netflix, my memories of renting from Blockbuster over a decade ago are much more vivid. Sifting through a bunch of titles on a TV and pressing play doesn’t require as much effort or commitment. Going to the cinema is more of an experience. Don’t get me wrong, the convenience of being able to stream any movie with the click of a button is wonderful, but it makes each movie way less memorable.

Conclusion

Yes, movie tickets are expensive. But there are plenty of ways to score free tickets and many theaters have great loyalty programs, such as AMC’s A-List. Yes, streaming a movie at home is convenient. But it’s that same convenience that makes us less likely to pay attention to a movie and makes it less memorable. There are plenty of reasons to stream movies at home and there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing so. In fact, sometimes streaming is the only option and it’s better than not seeing a movie at all.

Nonetheless, watching a movie at home isn’t an adequate substitute for seeing it in theaters, which is how the director intended for people to view their work. You’re not getting the true experience if you’re watching a movie on your television. Even if that knowledge isn’t enough to convince you to go to a theater, it’s worth keeping in mind the next time you stream a movie at home. Consider the possibility that you may have felt differently about a movie if you saw it in a theater instead.

What was the last movie you saw in theaters? Do you prefer to watch movies at home or in a theater? Let us know in the comments section!