What's Going On In Movie Theatres?

[Toestr]

So I went to see Oppenheimer last night and I noticed some differences to my previous experiences in theatres. For context the last movie I saw in theatre was Ford v Ferrari in late 2019/early 2020. I believe this is also the first movie I've ever seen on opening day. This was also the 10PM showing.

The first big difference I noticed is that there is now assigned seating. Luckily I went by myself and was able to get a decent seat between two groups a few rows up in the upper section in the middle (I did still have to hold my head back a bit to see the full screen). The upper section of seats was full and the many of the upper seats in the lower section were also occupied. I do prefer first come first served seating because I am usually one of the first people in the theatre, and I tend to see movies near the end of their showing so there are plenty of open seats anyway.

Secondly I noticed the previews seemed to be shorter. There were 2 or 3 movie trailers, and the usual ads for concessions/the rewards card. Fewer interviews, trivia and ads for local businesses. No reminders to turn off/stay off your phone and of general movie etiquette (this will be relevant later).

The third thing I noticed was that many people came into the theatre late. There was nobody in the theatre as the previews started (I was the first one in). Most of the people came in/were getting settled as the movie was starting and many came in 10-20 minutes into the movie. Keep in mind most of the tickets were pre booked so no last minute walk ins. One group entered and exited the theatre 3 times before settling.

The fourth and most annoying thing I noticed was people on their phones. As previously noted, there were no 'Tommy Texter' or 'Suzie Seat Kicker' or even a "Silence your phone" PSA in the previews. There were many people on their phone throughout the movie. Many checking notifications but also some texting or on Snapchat. Some also weren't even on their phone but just had their lock screen open. So not quite as bad as watching a full Family Guy funniest moments compilation on YouTube, but definitely worse than just checking the time. I'm also pretty sure I saw a couple separate instances of flash photography from the lower section but it may have been part of the movie. The guy beside me had to tell the guy in front of him to put his phone away as he was recording the Trinity test scene of the movie and it was very distracting. I've never experienced anything this bad before.

So is this how theatres are now? Or am I just spoiled from not seeing movies on crowded nights?

[iamthelazerviking]

No idea when the last time I was in a theater, but it was never that bad. I remember seeing theater employees often come in and even walk up to certain people and tell them to put phone away.

Maybe they've just lost control and decided to scrap any PSAs about phones because too many people are addicted/selfish.

[Toestr]

I don't recall seeing any employees come into the theatre. I remember they used to come in periodically and fill out a form on the wall saying that all is well/the movie is running/we didn't die of carbon monoxide poisoning.

[Cdn_Cuda]

Sounds like a gong show! I see movies frequently with the family. We have reserved seats in the majority of our threatened. We also have VIP theatres that serve alcohol.

I did notice not as many previews but more commercials. They usually have a put your phone away announcement. I personally hate seeing people’s phones out. The bright screens catch my eye. Most people arrive 5-10 minutes before the movie starts. Gone are the days you need to be 45 minute or more early.

[redsquirrel]

I go to the movies fairly often and can only really remember two times where others weren’t respecting the experience in the past 10 years. Not sure if you recognized them as being younger, but Friday nights + summer is probably the highest probability for problems due to a teenage crowd (I was admittedly not always great in movies with a group at that age either).Still very much enjoy seeing certain movies with a whole audience, and the latest Mission Impossible was a killer one to see in theater that you should catch to hopefully redeem this one.

[Toestr]

Yeah they were probably late teens/20s. It just shocked me as to how blatant it was.

[p8ntninja]

I go to the theater quite a bit and pretty much only Cinemark, their preview show which contains the trailers and whatnot typically takes up 20 minutes after the pisted showtime. Thing that bugs me the most are the people that find necessary to chat throughout the entire movie and quite loudly at that.

[Toestr]

There was some talking but it was mostly drowned out by how loud this movie is.

[Jonnydread]

I go to the theater quite a bit and pretty much only Cinemark, their preview show which contains the trailers and whatnot typically takes up 20 minutes after the pisted showtime. Thing that bugs me the most are the people that find necessary to chat throughout the entire movie and quite loudly at that.

And yet if you ask them to stop it turns into a whole thing and somehow you end up being the bad guy

[Blackmagic71]

Last week I went to see Indiana Jones. It was a pretty normal (good) theater experience.

[Painthappy]

I haven't been to a theatre in ages but I do detest how people are on their phones all the time. I will see families sitting at a dinner table out to eat and all be on their phones. It's quite pathetic really.

[Chuck E Ducky]

It’s an addiction.

[netsurferdude2]

I can quit MCB whenever I want! I swear!

[Hp_lovecraft]

Around here, assigned seating became a thing during covid, as a way for theaters to enforce spacing policy.
And since then.... it has just never went away. Maybe to appease the small group that still wear masks all day.

Cellphones, though, are gradually getting worse. I'll always sit near the front, and at later showings, so it does not bother me that much... but... definitely to the point where you will likely see some phones being used discretely at most points in the theater.

That sad, I've been in a few theaters that had zero cell service. It was amazing. Technically, cell jammers are illegal in the US. I know Europe allows them, but theaters in the USA have to be more discrete. I wonder if they use active jamming? or something passive? Its possible that the curtains on the sides of the will hide a Faraday net blocking EMF signals.

[Toestr]

I don't really care about discreet use. What these people were doing was nowhere near discreet.

[ford]

I get some theatre experiences can be pretty great, but watching a movie at home where I can pause/play as needed, pants-less and drinking beer/eating nachos I didn’t pay boat loads of money for will always win.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I don’t go to the movie theater often I wait for them to come out and watch them in the comfort of my home.

On nice nights I pull the projector out and we do outdoor movies with friends if I really want the movie theater experience.

Movie theaters gross me out they are always filthy. Then you get a good chance you will likely have an experience like Toestr points out. Keep your $10 popcorn and sodas, your annoying unruly customers, dirty disgusting sticky floors and grimy seats. Nope my big screen and surround sound is a better experience every time. + if it’s turns out to be a bad movie I just pick something else. It’s not like I payed for it.

[Toestr]

The theatres I've been to are actually pretty good for cleanliness.

[martix_agent]

Agree. My home is a MUCH better experience than a theatre.

[homerj]

I go to the movies a pretty good but & it’s generally a good experience. I mostly really like assigned seating. The only real downside is going with someone & when you check on seating there’s one seat here, one seat a few down, one seat in front of you, etc. There’s not even the chance that you’ll get there early enough to get 2 seats together. That’s never been a problem for me personally though. Usually people talking, on their phones, etc. isn’t a problem either. Once in a blue moon there’ll be a group of kids that talk more than they should but it’s never been to the point that had to say something or complain to the staff. The theater i go to the most usually has seat wipes but bring my own anyway.

[infamoussmiley]

Wow...

I have not been in a theater since Jan 26, 2020. But I notice with my students that the cell phone is become more of an issue.

Can someone explain how the assigned seating thing works? Do certain seats cost more?

All the best,

Smiley

[homerj]

When you buy tickets (either ahead of time online or at the box office) there will be a map of the theater where you can choose which seats you want. Those seats are on your ticket stubs. All the seats cost the same in each particular theater. XD, 3D, etc. cost more but they’d be in their own theaters.

[BrickHaus]

I personally like the assigned seating. Especially the theaters with luxury recliners. It makes getting to the movie extremely early unnecessary.

And cell phones are a nuisance in many places. people are just inconsiderate to others in that manner. But I do enjoy when someone tries to take a picture at a show, and they have their phone flash one.

[martix_agent]

your movie theatres are fancy! 've never seen anything with recliners or assigned seats. I've also not been to a theater since about 2019; it's just not worth my time. I'll watch it later in the comfort of my own home where there's not an distraction, I have a nice couch/chair, and i can pause and continue whenever I want to. And the food is "free!"