Perspectives: Movies at home vs. in theaters
My favorite fuzzy blanket wraps me up as I turn on the TV and pop a piece of sweet, buttery microwaved popcorn into my mouth. The taste is just as delicious as that in the theater. Lounging on my leather couch, I settle down with my family, and the opening ‘ta-dum’ of Netflix booms through the living room. I’m dressed in my comfy pajamas and lying in between mounds of pillows, excited to watch the release I’ve been waiting ages to see. There’s no better place to watch movies than in the comfort of my own home.
Watching movies in theaters certainly has benefits, like the extensive selection of freshly made popcorn, candies and sodas available for purchase, but movies at home easily overpower all of this. Some people worry they will miss out on all the tasty treats at home, but you can snack on whatever you want instead of settling on the theater’s limited menu. Snacks from grocery stores are also much cheaper than in theaters; you won’t even get in trouble for sneaking in food.
I’ve noticed that I am always bound to a specific order of events in movie theaters. When I arrive, I have to give a ticket, buy food, walk to the theater, sit down and then wait through hundreds of ads. “Okay.. the movie’s actually starting now,” I think to myself. Yet it deceives me every time. The movie always seems to start, but it is just another ‘Join AMC Stubs A-List!’ advertisement I have to suffer through. At home, I can fast-forward to simply skip past anything I do not want to watch or rewind to my favorite parts.
Another downside of the theater is getting stuck waiting in a seemingly endless queue for popcorn. Sometimes I return to find the movie already in progress, and I can’t rewind to see what I missed. At home, I have full control over starting and pausing the movie. It allows me to take a break, head to the bathroom or reply to an important text.
I can also talk whenever I want during the movie. If I am watching with friends or family, we can share our opinions or ask questions freely without bothering others. When I’m forced to sit through the movie in silence, occasionally, I find myself confused when the plot is overly complicated or when a character makes a choice I don’t understand. Having to undergo the struggle of buying tickets and finding seats just to watch a movie I can’t even understand irritates me.
Scheduling a day for the theater can also be hard since the tickets are so specific to a date and place. Watching movies at home is more convenient, and it’s even possible to stream online and have a movie night remotely.
Movie theaters have their place, but whether I’m sitting on the couch or lying on the floor, I find myself far more comfortable at home than in movie theaters. Home, where the entire experience is far more customizable and comfortable, is the better choice.
The buttery smell of popcorn wafts from the movie-themed bucket, perfect for the film I came to watch. Wearing matching outfits with my friends, I fill a large cup with fizzy soda and head towards the large theater. As trailers play on the huge screen, I settle into the comfortable seat, whispering to my friends about upcoming movies. The lights fade to black, and the studio intro starts to play.
As everyone’s attention is drawn to the screen, I look around, feeling a sense of unity with the people around me. Nothing beats experiencing a movie in a packed theater surrounded by people focused on the screen.
Many members of our generation have short attention spans, and when we have phones at our disposal, we often get distracted. These devices create distractions that take away from the pleasure of a movie when streaming at home. In a theater where everyone puts their phones away as soon as the movie starts, I enjoy a more immersive experience. I’m always annoyed when my friends take out their phones in the middle of streaming a movie at home, especially when they miss an important or funny scene, and the whole group has to rewind it for them.
In a movie theater where everyone is less distracted by other screens, I love gasping in unison with the entire theater at a surprising plot twist. Movie theaters provide opportunities to connect with a community without even talking.
Last summer, the cultural phenomenon “Barbenheimer” took the film industry by storm. People everywhere, including my friends and I, hopped on the trend of watching “Barbie” in pink outfits and changing into black to watch “Oppenheimer” right after. This type of experience is only possible when you go to a theater because you can join in on trends in person.
The mouth-watering, creamy smell of popcorn is one of the best parts of the theater. Although I can make popcorn at home, it’s a lot more work than simply buying food and heading to the movie immediately. Movie theater popcorn’s flavor is evenly spread, salted and buttered perfectly. The best part is some theaters deliver ordered food to my seat, enhancing the relaxation of watching a good movie.
Oftentimes, I go to the movie theaters because I want to watch the newest releases as soon as possible. When I heard that a new Studio Ghibli movie was coming to theaters, I bought my tickets immediately. Because streaming services don’t offer movies until months later, I saw the new film in theaters to get the best experience. The vibration from loud booms during action scenes and the detailed visuals on the large screen are irreplaceable.
The satisfying feeling after finishing a spectacular movie, opening the doors outside and breathing in the breeze of fresh air makes the whole trip all the more worth it. Since I’m already out of the house, it’s easy to transition to eating or shopping with friends right after a movie, making the entire outing more rewarding. While some people prefer an at-home movie experience, the theater, which provides a more immersive experience, plays the newest releases and offers delicious snacks, is the superior option.