I don't get seeing movies in theaters. I pay money to sit in a mediocre chair, overpriced food, and inevitably one or two people who can't shut up. If I have to pee, I miss the film. I have to drive out and drive back. And in the end, if the movie is bad, I wasted money and time.
At home, I have a comfy chair, I can eat what I want at a reasonable price, and no one will talk unless we decide to together. I can pause the film, and I am at home the entire time. This infinitely better experience costs me nothing per viewing, and if it is bad I can put something else on.
Why would I ever go to a theater? Only if my wife wants to go. I used to go because I am a whore for theatre popcorn, but it is just not enough these days. I never even know what is at theatres anyway. My wife and I discovered last week that the second Hobbit movie was already released theatres.
1) At the start movies are only available in theaters. So if I want to see the latest X Men movie I have to watch it in the theater. Otherwise someone on the Internet will probably spoil shit like Wolverine getting his skeleton ripped out by Magneto. Otherwise I would have to wait months for it.
2) Social buzz is at the highest upon release when a movie is just out. Your friends all talk about a movie and if you haven't seen it then you end up being the odd one out and they have to temper their conversation about the movie as to not spoil it for you.. or sometimes they end up doing it anyway.
3) Giant screen and good sound system. It's very hard to replicate the theater experience at home, even with the best tech. Even harder for IMAX movies like TDKR.
4) Like mentioned social experience. It's no different than going to a stadium to watch a game for particular movies especially the Avengers. It's fun to socialize with people waiting in the line about their favorite Marvel movies/characters. Some movies are more fun with a crowd.
5) Excuse to get out of the house for something other than your job.
Now I am not saying theater experience is better than home experience but it does have its pros. I personally only watch certain moves in the theater, the more cerebral type movies I much prefer to watch at home alone. Like I am not going to the theater to watch Nymphomanic Vol II, I will watch it at home. Plus movies that aren't technical heavy in terms of effects and sound design do not need to be seen in theater. I can't imagine watchinv Gravity at home but I would've been fine watching American Hustle at home.
I don't buy food at movies and I go at off hours when the tweens don't come. It's usually matinee times with less people who are like minded and ticket costs are much lower, like half price. Like tomorrow I will be watching Captain America at a 2 PM show before the schools get off.
I guess it's also a similar situation to buying games on release day only games have no theater equivalent. But I still get games day 1 if I am highly anticipating one, same for movies.
If I had the choice to watch a newly released movie at home as opposed to the theater I would end up watching most movies at home with very few at theater.. those that are technically more interesting (like Gravity, Avatar).
