If you are anything like me, you love the feeling of watching a new movie on a huge screen. It is a different kind of magic. After a tough few years, movie theaters are really trying to get us all back into seats. They are pulling out all the stops, from Hollywood stars making unexpected visits to upgrading screens and sound systems. It seems like the industry is ready to remind everyone why seeing a movie in a theater is still special.
Recently, Tom Cruise himself made a surprise stop at a San Antonio movie theater. He was there for an early showing of his new film, Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. He even popped up in Dallas just hours later. Before the screening, he visited Fort Sam Houston to thank service members. Cruise said it was a real privilege to be with them. He also said he grew up on Hollywood superstar movies. It is cool to see a star like him really get out there and connect with audiences. He is reportedly making efforts to do exactly what he did. It is a way to help theaters bounce back from the pandemic.
It makes me wonder if these star appearances really make a difference. Sure, it is a fun story. People who were there probably told all their friends. But is it enough to bring back the regular moviegoer? Or is it just a flash in the pan? I think it shows that studios and actors are seeing the value in the theater experience. They are willing to put in the extra effort to make it an event again.
New Cinemas Are Showing Off Fancy Tech And Comfort To Win Over Audiences
From Heated Reclining Seats To Amazing Sound, The Goal Is A Better Movie Experience
It is not just star power drawing people in. New movie theaters are going big on comfort and technology. Take Clarksville, Tennessee. A new Phoenix Theatres location just opened there. It had a grand opening with a marching band, live music, and even a "film cutting" instead of a ribbon cutting. These fully renovated theaters at Governor’s Square Mall have some serious upgrades. They include Dolby ATMOS sound and 4K projection. Every room will have 100% heated reclining seats. You can even reserve your tickets. The lobby got a big makeover too.
Jordan Hohman, Vice President of Project Development for Phoenix Theatres, said they wanted to do something truly amazing. They wanted to improve the cinema experience a lot. He explained that each auditorium will have Dolby 7.1 digital sound and speaker systems. They are also bringing Dolby ATMOS, the latest thing in sound. This combines with Christie’s 4K Digital Cinema projection. There are also new micro-perforated screens. This all means the clearest picture and the most immersive movie-going experience. I think that sounds pretty great. Who would not want to watch a movie with heated seats?
The owner of Phoenix Theatres, Cory Jacobson, said they thought heated seats would make the experience even better. It is perfect to warm people up on a chilly day or even in the summer, when the AC is blasting. They also created a unique "black box" design for the auditoriums. This includes special paneling, isolated walls, black drapes, black seats, and black carpet. These are all meant to make the picture's colors more accurate. They also reduce light reflection. The goal is a distraction-free environment. This is all about making the viewing experience better.
Are People Still Going To Movie Theaters, Or Is Streaming Taking Over Everything?
The Debate Continues As Industry Experts Weigh In On The Future Of Cinema
The big question floating around is whether people still go to movie theaters. This Memorial Day weekend, with movies like Lilo and Stitch and Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning out, theaters might be full. But many people might just wait to watch these films from their couch. What makes people buy a ticket to go to the movie theater when they could just stream it later?
Ian Tuma of St. Paul, Minnesota, said he goes because it is a rainy day and he has an AMC A-List pass. Matt Cook, in town for business, had time between meetings to catch a movie. They both liked the nearly empty rooms. But this will not be the case for moviegoers over the holiday weekend, or possibly all summer. Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst for Comscore, said he is very excited for the movies coming out. He expects a summer box office of over $4 billion. This is what was happening before the pandemic. That is great news for the industry.
Some people argue that streaming and going to the theater are not competing. They say they work together. Research from Roku and the National Research Group supports this idea. Their survey found that people who use streaming services watch about eight movies in theaters each year. And 61% of users said that if a movie comes out in theaters and on streaming at the same time, they would rather go to the theater. Tuma noted that the big screen and good sound help him focus. He does not get distracted by his phone or things at home. Cook added that the big, pounding bass sound is something you cannot get at home. Dergarabedian believes it is the communal and prestigious part of the experience.
Of course, the price of tickets and snacks is often why people prefer watching movies at home. But certain screens still bring in viewers no matter the cost. Dergarabedian pointed out that the percentage of box office money from premium formats like IMAX and Dolby Vision is actually growing. These experiences cost more but people are willing to pay for them. However, not all polls are so positive. One IndieWire report found that only 34% of US adults prefer watching movies in theaters. This means almost two-thirds would rather watch a movie on a streaming service.
IMAX Is Becoming A Major Player In Bringing Audiences Back To Movie Theaters
Why Larger Screens And Special Experiences Are More Important Than Ever For Film Success
Movie studios are putting more attention on the IMAX brand. It stands out as a bright spot in the theater business. Tom Cruise himself made a big request. He wanted IMAX to show his latest Mission: Impossible movie and only his movie on its giant screens for three weeks. This kind of exclusive run is rare. It shows how much faith he has in the IMAX experience.
Cruise went straight to the top. He spoke with IMAX’s chief executive, Rich Gelfond. Gelfond had his own requests. He wanted all the Mission: Impossible premieres, press screenings, and influencer screenings to happen at an IMAX theater. He also wanted Cruise to talk up the company’s screens during his global press tour. Gelfond joked that he told Cruise, "Tom, no matter what question the press asks you, you’ve got to answer IMAX." Cruise agreed to do that. This shows that even big Hollywood stars need to give something to get something from IMAX these days.
As fewer people go to movie theaters and more watch at home, IMAX is becoming a key part of the theater business. The company started in Toronto. It wants to give moviegoers a more engaging experience. This means bigger screens, better sound, and steeper seating. This brings viewers closer to the screen. IMAX now has 416 locations in North America and 1,322 overseas. That is only 1% of all the screens in the world. But these screens often make up a larger share of a movie’s box office money. They bring in big crowds for a more expensive ticket than a regular movie seat.
For example, in just two months, IMAX screens contributed a lot to the global box office for films like Sinners, A Minecraft Movie, and Thunderbolts. This shows that people are willing to pay more for that special IMAX experience. The future of movie theaters seems to be in offering something you cannot get at home. Whether it is a star appearance, super comfy seats, or an absolutely huge screen with amazing sound, the goal is to make going to the movies an unforgettable event. I think this strategy is smart. It might just be what movie theaters need to thrive again.