Theatrical Moviegoing Will Be Fine

Like many, I didn’t imagine our quarantine to be this long. What I thought would be 2 week quarantine is now going into 2 months. I’ve adjusted to staying inside and doing my daily tasks from home but I haven’t been able to participate in one of my favorite pastimes, theatrical moviegoing. I wouldn’t say I’m a purist but I definitely enjoy the experience and believe it contributes to my mental health. I usually see most films in this format and I’m a AMC A-List subscriber which helps me do this. I’m aware of the impact of streaming services and other home entertainment options that have led to lower ticket sales in recent years and I think those services great also. Like many others during this time, I’ve started to own more and stream more home entertainment than usual. This has led some to believe this quarantine equals the death of theaters but I disagree. In a recent interview, acclaimed director Paul Feig said that having an oven at home doesn’t mean the end of restaurants and the same can be said for theaters in the age of streaming. I believe there can be intimate experiences in media and there can be events in media. An intimate experience can have longer arcs & quieter moments while events are more spectacle and fast pace. Today the intimate experiences tend to find themselves in home entertainment while the events are more theatrical. In some cases, they can be both. I see every Marvel movie opening night and I enjoy that experience just as much as watching Succession at home on HBO. The relevant issue regarding theatrical visits now is safety. This time has highlighted the comfort of viewing at your own pace and in your own space. Will people feel confident enough to return to theaters after being accustomed to their consumption habits during quarantine? I say absolutely! Of course, theaters are going to have to take more preventative measures and do a better job sanitizing but I believe they can. It’s like the oven analogy, I still went out to eat and I will definitely be dining out after quarantine. I believe the same will happen for theaters and I look forward to the day I can safely return to theaters enjoying a communal entertainment experience. Let’s all go to the movies again (when safe)! 

5/8/20