Why the Movie Theater Experience Feels Different Now

Blog posts

It’s Not About What Changed, But Who Changed

For years now, the movie theater has been framed as a place in decline. The cost. The talking. The phones. The guy on his phone talking about the cost.

Streaming, on the other hand? It’s cheap. You can choose to be quiet or talk. You can use the bathroom. You can pour a scotch. You can pause, get up, and pour a second scotch.

But something happened while we shifted to streaming. It may have accidentally fixed the theater experience.

Streaming didn’t just change how often we go to the movies. It changed who goes to the movies.

Many casual moviegoers who want to kill time or who aren’t there for a cinematic experience have moved to the couch to stream their “content.” Which means the people who still buy tickets are the ones who want to be there. They picked the movie. They paid big bucks. They’re going to pay attention.

The result is a calmer, more focused, more in-tune audience. It’s not perfect. It’s better than the theater experience, which had already been in decline before COVID sent us all home to our couches.

Christmas Week Rocks at the Theater

If you’ve been on the fence about going back to the movies, Christmas week is an excellent time to test that theory. In late December, theaters fill with family releases, prestige films, and crowd-pleasers designed to be seen on the big screen — together. Check out the New Movies coming out on December 19 that you can take your family to see:

• Avatar: Fire and Ash

• The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2

• David

I’m excited for at least two of those. You should pick one. Go see how it feels.

There’s a reason studios still fight for Christmas release dates. It’s one of the few stretches of the year when moviegoing feels like a tradition. It feels communal. Rooms full of strangers settling in together, ready to <scans the movies coming out Dec. 19> ooh, laugh, laugh harder, and zzz.

That shared energy matters. It’s what makes the theater experience special.

The Reasons People Stopped Going

Let’s face it — people stopped going to theaters for several reasons.

1. Release window — An AP-NORC poll found that many viewers are willing to wait for movies to hit streaming, especially as theatrical exclusivity windows shorten. I feel this when I missed Arco during its limited November release (don’t worry if you also missed it; a wider release is coming).

2. Too many distractions — People want to avoid others who disturb movies. An MX8 Labs survey found 70% prefer streaming specifically to avoid crowds and noise. A YouGov poll suggests 78% approve of banning phone use.

3. Hassle of leaving home — This one is relatable. Getting in the car, coordinating schedules, and driving to a second location is harder than simply staying home.

4. Cost — Ticket prices have gone up. Popcorn prices have gone up. The poll cited the overall expense of moviegoing as a major reason they choose streaming instead.

5. Convenience of home — A second scotch in my undies while eating lava-hot pizza rolls? Is there a better way to watch a Paddington movie? This is the poll’s central finding. Most adults, understandably, prefer watching new movies at home because it’s easier, faster, and lets you pause to visit your own clean bathroom.

I get it. Pizza rolls don’t stay inside long. But we miss a lot of the experience by staying home. How do I make it worth putting on pants and setting down my scotch to benefit from the big screen?

How to Make Theaters Work Again For You

The movie theater experience works best now when it’s intentional.

Start with the theater. Policies matter. Some chains and independents enforce no-phone rules. Others design their auditoriums to reduce distractions with better sightlines, reserved seating, and more showtimes. These differences show up quickly once you know what to look for.

Timing helps. Early showings. Weekday evenings. Waiting a week or two after opening weekend. These choices dramatically change the vibe of a screening.

Subscriptions help too. I subscribe to Cinemark. For $140 a year, I get 12 movie passes that can be used for any 2D movie, but you can upgrade to 3D or IMAX for a small fee, which I just did for Zootopia 2. I also get 20% off concessions. That means cheaper popcorn. And my online fees are waived, which lets me pick a seat online hours (or days) before a showing.

And, unlike the old days, theaters now let me come strapped with a backpack full of water bottles, healthy snacks, and (I didn’t tell you this) drink enhancements.

Why the Theater Experience Still Does Things Home Viewing Can’t

My favorite movie experiences are in theaters. Return of the Jedi in a packed house opening weekend. Home Alone with hundreds of my rowdy fellow middle schoolers. There’s Something About Mary, where a guy literally rolled in the aisle laughing. The Exorcist, where I entered in pitch black, and when the movie rolled, I realized I was the only one in the theater. The first time my girls saw My Neighbor Totoro on the big screen, which stands out because I can remember the awe on their faces.

Why do theaters work in ways that home viewing can’t?

A theater removes distractions. You can’t multitask. You don’t talk. You are cut off from everything in the world except this moment and the people you’re sharing it with. Good luck doing that on your couch.

And does your TV fill a cavern-sized wall? Does it have a dozen Dolby Atmos-calibrated speakers rattling your 3D glasses when the Bad Guys botch a heist in explosive glory? Definitely not.

There’s also something powerful about watching with other people. Laughter is contagious. So are screams. Silences stretch.

Speaking of stretching, more theaters have leaned into better seating. My Cinemark theater has rows of powered recliners. I can barely see the family two seats over, and I can’t see anyone in the rows behind me.

Theaters are now more comfortable with technology you don’t have at home. Many are cleaner and have tougher talking and phone rules. Home viewing is great. But the theater is what your kids will remember. And some of the movies that stuck with you as a kid are now coming back to the big screen.

The Return of Classics Signals What Audiences Want

One of the clearest signs that moviegoing still matters is the surge of classic films returning to theaters.

Studios are re-releasing anniversaries. Exhibitors are programming older favorites. Audiences are showing up. Sometimes in large numbers. Jaws returned to theaters for its 50th anniversary and made nearly $13 million in the U.S. And if you don’t want to see Jaws on the big screen, what are you even doing on this site?

People are buying tickets to movies they have already seen, and in some cases, already own. That tells us something important.

These films are returning to theaters because people want to experience them properly. On a big screen. With good sound. In a room full of other film fans.

And if you’re that attached to a movie you saw as a child, maybe your kids will have that same experience if you take them to the theater. Those memories don’t form by accident. They form when the experience feels bigger than screen time at home.

A side note: This trend will change as studio catalogs shift owners. The potential Warner Bros. sale, for example, would put one of the deepest libraries in film history into new hands. Whoever controls that vault controls what gets revived, restored, and reintroduced to theaters.

Why Independent Theaters Might Be the Best Place to Start

Some independent theaters, like the Hollywood Theater in Portland, Oregon, own many of the movies they show. These smaller houses of cinema are fantastic places to get a big-screen experience if you’re leery of big-box theaters.

Why?

Their audiences are there for the movie. They’ll laugh at the right moments. They’ll cheer for obscure but beloved characters. They may shout out lines. It’s fun.

And they don’t show any movie. The programming is curated. The staff wants to give you the best theater experience they can.

Many independent theaters also participate in collectives or regional networks that share classic films, restored prints, and repertory programming. Some run retrospectives. Others host themed series or family matinees.

These spaces feel local because they are. They build community. They reward curiosity. They make moviegoing feel personal.

Go See One Movie and Decide for Yourself

Don’t ditch streaming. It’s a fantastic way to curate your own programming at home. But if you’ve been uninspired by theater experiences in recent years, give it another go.

Pick a movie — either a new film or a classic rerelease. Choose a theater that takes the experience seriously. Purchase your tickets early. Distribute snacks while the ads play. When the trailers start, put your phone away. Let cinema do its thing.

You might find that the theater you remember isn’t the one that exists today. The people around you showed up for a reason. They want the cinematic experience that dazzled them as kids — and hopefully does the same for yours.

Brendan

My Pint-Sized Review of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw

Reviews

The opening scene of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw makes you think this is another Wimpy Kid Christmas movie. It’s not. It is snowy, though, and ends on a positive Christmas-like note.

Getting there is a journey.

Greg (you know, the wimpy kid) screws up a lot. He also lies. He cuts corners. He’s not overly likable.

Greg’s dad is also kind of a jerk. But you can see why after watching Greg in action — his blunders spiral out of control because he half-asses everything. The blunders are a little over-the-top but that’s the vibe of the movie. Interestingly, the funniest moments are the quirky character bits or blink-and-you-miss-it jokes, which are increasingly common in modern movies.

The main story is about father and son. They start to connect as Greg pursues merit badges as a way to stay out of boarding school. In the end the dad realizes he’s a lot like his son. I hoped the story would capitalize on this. It’s clear the dad gets frustrated by his son because Greg is just like him. And he doesn’t like himself. That’s interesting. That’s real.

Instead, they go camping and have a somewhat unearned breakthrough where they save the day and bond over their calm under pressure. It’s not overly interesting, and in fact has been done better on The Simpsons. You know the episode. The episode has a faster pace, smarter jokes, and the payoff makes sense.

Maybe that’s why Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw feels like an episode drawn out over 78 minutes. In fact, the short length is one of its best features. I’m not sure I could handle another 20 minutes.

It’s not a bad movie. It’s not a good movie. It’s a movie. Barely. Young kids will get a kick out of the chaos Greg creates. You’ll tolerate it with a sixer at your side. Or skip it and just watch The Simpsons episode instead — also streaming on Disney+.

Streaming On: Disney+

Rating: PG (Me: 5+)

Director: Matt Danner, Gino Nichele

Starring: Aaron Harris, Chris Diamantopoulos, Erica Cerra

Run time: 1h 18m

Post-credits scenes: none

Sequel? I’m sure another will be cranked out soon enough.

If you liked Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw, check out these films:

• “Boy-Scoutz ‘n the Hood” — The Simpsons (S5, E8) (6+)

• A Goofy Movie (1995) (5+)

• The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021) (5+)

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever (2023) (5+)

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010) (5+)

The 25 Funniest Family Christmas Movies of All Time — Ranked (and Where to Watch Them)

Blog posts

The pace of Christmas is stressful. Your shopping list is overwhelming. And it’s all a build-up to one day that you want to be so perfect even Great Aunt Gertrude can’t complain.

That’s why Christmas is a holiday we love to make fun of. We need the comic relief.

As I’m sure you’re aware, some of the funniest movies take place at Christmas. But which is the true king of kings (of comedy)?

I’m ranking the 25 Funniest Family Christmas Movies. I’m not including Christmas Specials (that list is here). All of these qualify as family films though not all movies are for all ages.

Hold onto your newel posts. Grab your Red Ryder BB gun. Here we go: CLICK ME!

Fresh Cuts

New Family Movies

The latest family films to hit all screens. Not all are winners. Watch at your own risk!

📽️ In Theaters 📽️

(Dec. 19)

Avatar: Fire and Ash

David

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2

📀 On Disc 📀

none

News You Can Use (and Sometimes Booze)

• Industry: Hollywood’s merger Hell hit a new low this week. It started when Netflix agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery’s studios and streaming businesses in a deal valued at roughly $82.7 billion. Then Paramount Skydance, now owned by a right-wing fanatic, crashed the party with a $108 billion hostile bid of its own. Netflix’s offer would fold Warner Bros., HBO, and Max into a massive streaming powerhouse — and appears to be the lesser of two evils. Paramount is pitching a deal that would benefit shareholders and the Trump Administration. At stake is the entire future of some of the industry’s most valuable brands — from DC to HBO’s prestige library to a deep collection of Hollywood classics. Warner Bros. Discovery’s board will choose a path, though President Trump said he plans to get his beak wet in this action — so who knows what the final outcome will be. There’s only one certainty: The theater industry is scared. Stay tuned as this one plays out.

• Disney: Disney wants to let you make AI videos using their characters — some of which will end up on Disney+. I don’t know whether I don’t like this or I hate this. The landmark $1 billion licensing and investment deal is with OpenA. It’s the first major content partner for Sora, OpenAI’s short-form AI video platform and generative video model. Under the three-year deal, users will be able to create and share short AI-generated videos using more than 200 iconic characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars, though the agreement excludes real actors’ voices and likenesses. Disney will also use OpenAI’s technology to “enhance” Disney+ and other internal tools, signaling a major shift in how the entertainment giant engages with AI. What is really at stake here? Researchers estimate that generating a one-minute AI video consumes energy comparable to driving a gas-powered car 20 to 40 miles. So — just the Earth.

• Box Office: Zootopia 2 bounded into Thanksgiving weekend and delivered a staggering $556 million global debut — the biggest animated opening ever and the fourth-largest opening of any film in history. Domestic numbers hit $156 million over the five-day holiday stretch, while overseas markets (especially China) pushed it into record-breaking territory. For a sequel that once teased nothing but dancing animals, this is a comeback I hoped for. Check out my review.

• Awards: The Golden Globes are kind of a joke — half the nominations exist just to lure famous people into a televised ballroom — but they still give you a sneak peek at what might bubble up during Oscar season. Here are the family films nominated for Golden Globes:

  • Best Animated Feature

    • Arco

    • Elio

    • Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle (not a family film)

    • KPop Demon Hunters

    • Little Amélie or the Character of Rain

    • Zootopia 2

  • Cinematic and Box Office Achievement

    • KPop Demon Hunters

    • Wicked: For Good

    • Zootopia 2

  • Best Actress – Musical or Comedy

    • Cynthia Erivo — Wicked: For Good

  • Best Supporting Actress – Any Motion Picture

    • Ariana Grande — Wicked: For Good

  • Best Original Song – Motion Picture

    • “Golden” — KPop Demon Hunters

    • “No Place Like Home” — Wicked: For Good

    • “The Girl in the Bubble” — Wicked: For Good

Papa Do Preach!

Let’s Get Rec’d!

Recommendations

These recommendations celebrate the power of cinema and how seeing movies in a theater can help your kids process trauma, discover who they are, and set them on a path toward who they will be. Plus these movies are a lot of fun. Except the third one. It’s like cinematic broccoli. Good for them but hard to chew for some kids.

Keepin’ It Real

Joe Dante’s Matinee is a love letter to the cheap seats, sticky floors, and thrill of sitting in a theater when you’re just old enough to feel the world changing around you. John Goodman plays a matinee theater showman who rolls into town during the Cuban Missile Crisis with a monster movie that lets them know all you have to fear is fear itself — and jolting seats. What follows is part coming-of-age story, part nod to the electric shared experience of seeing something fun on the big screen. It’s funny, warm, and nails that feeling of discovering movie magic when you need it in life.

Modern Classics

Spielberg’s The Fabelmans is a semi-autobiographical family drama about the moment a kid realizes movies can explain the world better than adults can. Young Sammy Fabelman falls in love with filmmaking after a single big-screen experience shakes something loose inside him. The film follows how that spark becomes a lifeline as his family falls apart. It captures the way art can be a safe space for kids to escape and express themselves, especially when life feels out-of-control. By the end, you remember exactly what it felt like to sit in a dark theater and watch your dreams form on screen — as both a viewer and filmmaker.

Kickin’ It Old School

Víctor Erice’s The Spirit of the Beehive follows a young girl in 1940s Spain whose entire perception of the world shifts after seeing Frankenstein at a makeshift village screening (sounds like Guillermo del Toro’s origin story, right?). The girl fixates on what she saw — not out of fear, but fascination. The film becomes a quiet, haunting portrait of how cinema opens the door to bigger ideas about yourself and the world around you. I’ll be honest, The Spirit of the Beehive is slow and somewhat bleak. But if your kids stay with it, the film is deeply moving and a reminder about the magic of movies.

For Your Eyes Only

What to watch after THEY go to bed.

Demons (1985)

Movies are transformative experiences. In Demons, that transformation gets messy after a woman puts on an ancient mask that’s part of a promotional display in the theater lobby — because that’s where you want to leave a cursed mask. She starts to transform into a demon, spewing on those around her. Those around her start spewing on others. There’s a lot of spew in this movie. Demons is pure, unfiltered ’80s mayhem with practical effects that are ooey as much as they are eww-y. If you want a film about movie magic transforming people, this one hits the spew spot. I mean sweet spot.

Stir Things Up!

Why don’t you turn Demons into a date night! A bright red Campari and soda makes perfect sense because it’s Italian, bitter like the taste of moviegoer flesh, and it looks like what’s often sprayed onto walls in giallo films. The key here is the blood-red ice cube that slowly melts as you drink it.

***

Ingredients:

• Blood-Red Ice Cube:

  • 2 oz Campari

  • 1–2 tsp water

  • Freeze in a large clear-ice mold

• 2 oz Campari (for the drink)

• 4–6 oz chilled club soda

Instructions:

1. Chill: Add an ice cube to a highball glass and stir until the glass is cold. Discard the ice and water.

2. Cut: Add the Campari to the glass.

3. Bleed: Place the blood-red clear ice cube into the chilled glass.

4. Fizz: Top with chilled club soda.

This one fits with any giallo movie where the red keeps bubbling up until it finally spews out — splashing into frame like a nightmarish abstract painting.

Cheers!

The Man Behind the Mask

Thanks for reading and subscribing!

I am a former television news journalist who now writes about movies, parenting, and tech online (and occasionally on paper). My number one job, though, is making sure my girls grow up with steady heads on their shoulders. I think our shared movie nights have a positive impact on their self-esteem and develop an awareness of the world around them. I relish every night — except for maybe Baby Geniuses. I got through that one with my good friend George Dickel.

Brendan Knapp