Are Movie Theaters Dying, or Are We Just Forgetting Why They Matter?

In the dark ages—before mobile devices and flat-screen TVs—early man had no choice but to journey to vast structures for entertainment. These coliseums of storytelling, with their dim lobbies and the scent of butter-soaked popcorn clinging to the air, were the only place to witness larger-than-life heroes, heart-wrenching tragedies and intergalactic battles. 

This was before the days of scrolling endlessly through streamer recommendations, before falling asleep mid-movie on the couch. Man would gather in the flickering glow of a massive screen, crammed into stiff, soda-stained seats, hushed only by the dimming of the lights. There was no pausing, no rewinding, no algorithms nudging towards the latest mindless binge. 

If you wanted to see a film, you had to be there—at the mercy of showtimes printed in newspapers or on towering marquees. You sat shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers, reacting together, laughing together, experiencing cinema as it was meant to be—collectively.

Now, that ritual is fading. Theaters stand like relics of a forgotten era, their neon signs buzzing faintly over half-empty parking lots. Where once there were packed Friday night crowds, now there are more empty seats than occupied ones. The glow of a hundred phone screens often rivals the brightness of the projector. The world has moved on, replacing the communal experience of cinema with the convenience of streaming, trading spectacle for solitude.

But have we lost something in the process?

The Death of Theaters?

It’s no secret that the golden age of packed Friday night showings is a thing of the past–that the movie industry as we once knew it is fading out.

Prior to the pandemic, it was a slow dissolve. In Bloomington Normal, Parkway Cinemas eight screens went dark in 2010, bulldozed to become an L.A. Fitness. The same year, Main Street’s Carmike Cinemas saw the wrecking ball, too. 

Over the years, cable; VHS, DVD and BluRay; on-demand and rental, slowly chipped away at the theatre industry. As a result, smaller chains like Starplex Cinemas, Wehrenberg (Wehrenberg, Wehrenberg) and Carmike were bought out by giants like AMC and Marcus. 

But the 2020 pandemic delivered a near-fatal blow to the industry. With people unwilling to stand within six feet of one another, let alone share a dark, questionably sanitary room with strangers, theaters emptied overnight.

Before COVID, the theater industry sold over a billion tickets annually since 1995, with revenue (and ticket prices) steadily climbing. In 2019, the industry hit 1.2 billion tickets sold and raked in over $11 billion. A year later, that plummeted to 220 million tickets and just $2 billion.

Across the nation many theaters never recovered. Ovation Cinema Grill, once a unique fixture of Bloomington-Normal’s movie scene, shuttered in August 2020.

When the dust of the pandemic settled, AMC and Marcus, two industry giants, seemed the only theater chains left standing, albeit unsteadily. 

Yet, all is not lost. Case and point: “Barbenheimer.” In the summer of 2023, two polar-opposite blockbusters—“Barbie” and “Oppenheimer”—became a cultural phenomenon, reigniting the magic of the theatrical experience. 

Moviegoers flooded theaters in pink and black attire, double-featuring their way through existential dread and plastic perfection. 

It was the first time in years that the box office felt alive again, proving that when the right films come along, people will show up.

And that momentum hasn’t completely fizzled out. Theaters are mounting a slow comeback—800 million tickets were sold in 2024. 

Much like the wicked witch of the west, the big screen isn’t dead yet.

Why Theaters Still Matter: The Unmatched Experience

Watching a movie on your phone might be convenient, but some films demand the big screen.

Every aspect of a film is amplified in a theater. A massive screen projects visuals in stunning resolution, every detail sharper than reality itself. Surround sound rumbles through the walls, enveloping you in explosions, whispers and orchestral swells. Even 3D viewings, once a passing gimmick, are making a comeback.

Some movies practically require this kind of immersion. Try finding someone who willingly watches “Avatar” on a six-inch phone screen. The lush alien landscapes, the sweeping camera movements—shrunk down and relegated to pocket-size? It’s sacrilege.

But theaters aren’t just about the spectacle. The social experience is just as important. A trip to the movies isn’t just about the film—it’s about the people you experience it with. The excitement building on the drive there. The shared laughter, gasps and silent, edge-of-your-seat tension. The heated discussions spilling into the parking lot afterward, debating theories, dissecting alternate endings or that one mind-blowing plot twist.

I’ve spent most of my teen years in the dark ages—of dwindling theater crowds and growing social isolation. But I’ve seen glimpses of what the shared experience of cinema can be. I’ve been in crowds that erupted in cheers when Captain America lifted Mjolnir in “Avengers: Endgame,” or when childhood icons swung back onto the big screen in “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” I’ve felt the collective, breathless silence of an audience trapped in the suspense of “Alien: Romulus.” I’ve watched entire theaters choke back tears during devastating scenes, strangers united by a single story.

Maybe you don’t remember the first time you ever stepped into the cinema. But I bet you have a memory—one that sticks. A first date. A long-overdue reunion with friends. A family outing. Moments made possible because of movie theaters.

The Biggest Hurdle: Cost

Once upon a time, a nickel could buy you a ticket to another world. Now, that journey will run you upwards of $15. And movies are worth it. 

With only a few major corporations dominating the theater industry, prices have skyrocketed. And it’s not just the tickets. A bucket of popcorn at Marcus Theaters costs nearly $30—more than a decent sirloin dinner. Add in those cookie dough bites, a Pepsi, and suddenly, your casual night at the movies costs more than a streaming subscription that lets you watch unlimited films for a month.

So why pay for the theater experience when you can binge-watch at home for a fraction of the price? Because you’re paying for more than just a movie—you’re paying for the magic.

Sure, you could microwave a bag of popcorn in your kitchen. But does it compare to passing around an absurdly oversized, butter-drenched tub with friends, sneaking handfuls during the trailers? Does watching on your laptop match the thrill of seeing a blockbuster on a five-story tall screen? Streaming is cheaper, but it lacks the irreplaceable energy of a theater.

The Future: What Comes Next?

Theaters aren’t ready to fade to black just yet. Despite the past few bleak years, they’re adapting, evolving—finding ways to stay relevant.

Screens are sharper. Sound is richer. Gone are the days of stiff, soda-stained seats—now, plush recliners make even a three-hour epic feel like a luxury experience. Theaters are adding specialty events, souvenir popcorn buckets and exclusive posters to bring back the magic.

Streaming, for all its convenience, still can’t replicate the communal thrill of a packed theater. But it can push theaters to be better. As both industries evolve, they fuel a competition that ultimately benefits moviegoers.

So next time you see an ad for an upcoming blockbuster, consider giving theaters another shot. Because cinema isn’t just about watching a movie—it’s about experiencing it. And that’s something worth holding on to. It’s time to reignite the flame.