Would You Rather Watch Movies at Home or Go to the Theater?

by SodaHead Film Posted 2011/09/21 23:08:26

Related Topics: Single, Amazon, SodaHead, Television, Movie, Free, Entertainment, Office, Watch, Movies, Online, Video, Sales, Fall

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980 votes
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	Theater	357 votes	36%
	Home	623 votes	64%

Netflix might be splitting into two different services, but it's still the king of home entertainment. Whether you're down with DVDs or online streaming, they've got home viewing in high demand.

But what about movie theaters? How are they competing with the age of easy access?

In 2010, the National Association of Theater Owners recorded about $10.58 billion in box office sales, down $20 million from 2009's estimate, and 1.3 billion admissions -- also down from last year's numbers, but not by much.

Netflix, on the other hand, reported just over $2 billion in revenue at the end of 2010.

In terms of revenue, theaters are clearly outdoing Netflix. But that doesn't mean the box office is preferred.

For starters, at $8 a month ($16 now if you want DVDs and streaming), you could watch movies from home on Netflix all day every day.

In theaters, that would get you into a single movie -- if you're lucky.

There are also more options for home viewing than there are for theater viewing, and not just in terms of movie selection. You can watch movies for free on television, go to Blockbuster for a quick fix, or just buy the movie on Amazon.

But you probably don't have a 300" widescreen projector in your house.

+43

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BornToBeWild 2011/09/22 01:48:48 (edited)

Home

+9
However, I would love to go to DRIVE IN THEATERS over a indoor theater!
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More polls by SodaHead Film

tinasiaissmart@gmail.com 2011/11/02 22:39:59

Theater

To me the theater because you can watch a movie with a big,flat, screen t.v

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Solomon Goth 2011/10/28 08:35:09

Home

socially awkward....

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waynelaboy 2011/10/14 14:49:18

Home

with her...

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cheatmaster234 2011/10/13 17:25:06

Theater

mostly because i like to throw m&m;'s at people sitting in front of me. Don't get me wrong, i love to watch movies at home, i just like the theater better.

Not all movie theaters are bad and dirty. Mine is actually clean believe it or not.

the best movies to see at a theater are scary movies. Its hilarious to see other people scream... Course at home it would be more enjoyable, without all the screaming and stuff.. but i can always watch it again at home :P

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Nolan Wood 2011/10/13 03:32:25

Home

I'm a huge fan of going to the movies, but there's always the convenience of watching a DVD, the DVD is one payment for as many views as possible before the disc gets worn out.

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Nightmare 2011/10/12 11:13:44

Home

Much rather sit at home..

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Chainamarie 2011/10/11 10:17:42

Theater

I know u have to sit next to strangers that sneeze and cough and the prices are high etc. BUT it still is a great place to go on a date. You just can't beat having that big screen all lit up - I go to movies not very often tho, too many other things to do.

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cuteri97 2011/10/11 01:29:23

Theater

actually, i love both equally. both have pros and cons

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debra 2011/10/05 15:11:02

Home

Cheaper. And safetying

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Glitchie 2011/10/04 17:59:48

Home

I chose home. I have been with Netflix before, at least until they started charging more for their service by splitting the DVDs and the streaming movie options. I have too many bills to pay, and Netflix was one of the expenses I could do without right now. I have plenty of other movies and tv shows I could watch with just having satellite. But, I also chose home because with satellite tv, you can pause or rewind, or even schedule to record, so there's no rush to eat dinner to make the movie, or make the movie so you can eat dinner. You don't have to deal with crowds or sold out shows either. On a trip back to Salem, Mass, my husband and I found the BEST place to both eat dinner AND watch a movie, and I SO wish there was a place like that where we live in the Rio Rancho/Albuquerque area of New Mexico.

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Glitchie to Glitchie 2011/10/04 18:02:11

Oh, I almost forgot - aside from cost of the ticket prices of going to the movies versus staying home, I think it would depend on the movie as to whether I would pay to go see it in the theater or not. For example, if I pay to go see the Lion King in 3D if it was out for more than 2 weeks.

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nefertari 2011/10/03 21:52:44

Home

It's cheaper at home and you don't have to sit next to a stranger. You can eat your dinner while watching or snacks at a reasonable price...no one coughing or sneezing to get you sick.

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p18711 2011/10/02 18:22:34

Home

everything i need (no filled wallet needed)pause whenever.burp,laugh loud,discuss the movie or comment on a scene with friends.Nicefor a first date is a theaterb but if you know eachother .. you go see a movie you just got to see soon and quick if you cant get it on the web .theaters are also good to treat your girl

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HannahB 2011/10/01 12:55:23

Home

More affordable, less distractions, convenient, plus you can stretch out on the couch and have an entire meal without breaking the bank over a mediocre snack! :-)

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Evil.Tigz.Productions 2011/10/01 08:02:44

Theater

Cant beat the big screen experience with a couple seat and a delicious woman as company ;)

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THE ENIGMA 2011/09/30 16:13:40

Theater

theater with frens...n home when alone.

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KitKat 2011/09/30 06:17:22

Home

Why would I go to the Theater? Really? -_- Think about it...

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098765 to KitKat 2011/09/30 06:31:03

to leave your home to do something, appreciate the atmosphere and tradition of the cinema, see things on a vastly larger screen (although things are unfortunately changing...), etc... think about it.

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yvajcner 2011/09/29 21:01:58

Home

Every time the hubby and I go to see a movie there are young kids and teens that ruin it with talking, cell phones and throwing food among other things. I'd rather be at home, where I can put my feet on the furniture, and the only kids throwing food are my own.

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Simi Dave 2011/09/29 17:49:03

Theater

BUT, I ain't paying $13 for a ticket and $6 for popcorn. So, given those expenses, I choose home. But, if movies cost $3-4 and had normally-priced snacks, I would indeed PREFER to go see them in a theater.

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stevie.luplow 2011/09/28 22:43:23

Home

I have two kids. If we go out to see a movie alone it would mean paying a babysitter, plus the ticket price, plus the appropriate time planning, plus the money for the snacks. If we go out with the kids, that's extra ticket prices and snacks plus planning around nap time for my youngest and making sure my oldest isn't too cranky and that it will keep her attention. We do go to the drive in on occasion. That is the best way for us. We have an SUV so we make sure to put the third row down and make a bed for our kids and when the intermission comes on we put our oldest in back (since she is sleeping about halfway through the first movie) next to our youngest who we try to get to sleep before the first movie starts. But all in all, it's just so much easier and cheaper to wait and watch it in the comfort of our own home with the toys and beds all right there.

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kevin 2011/09/28 19:02:24

Theater

+1
i think that going to the theater is a better experience

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Andrew 2011/09/28 01:15:24

Theater

Well, actually it depends.

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Dennis 2011/09/28 00:51:09

Theater

It depends really. I only watch movies at home through websites that DON'T cost. I go to the theater for movies that I absolutely have to see on the big screen, my most recent trip being to go see HP7b. I had already seen it at home, but I knew I just had to see the movie in IMAX 3D, and it was so worth it. :)

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YO 2011/09/27 20:02:53

Theater

+1
I like theater experience for some movies. You just can't get the detail, or effect on a tv that you get at a big screened theater. Also, the crowd effect. In '83, when War Games hit the theaters, the whole crowde sighed, and applauded,and commented when we weren' going to start ww3 by computer. Other times, though most movies are just an expanded sit-com that you can watch just as easily on a tv at the much lower rental price.

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flyingseaturtle BN 2011/09/26 22:47:12

Home

Less money and more privacy.

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Jonatha... to flyings... 2011/09/28 17:01:57

wait..... what do you mean PRIVACY? (wink) (wink)

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jazie 2011/09/26 07:26:14

Home

http://www.prlog.org/10853047... :)

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bad x 2011/09/26 00:55:20

Home

i can watch on my 32" sony HD LED, pause when i gotta pee or get another beer, can't pause at a theater, most theaters don't serve beer, if they do, it costs as much as the movie, buy the disc, watch at home...

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DR 2011/09/25 21:30:45

Theater

I still prefer the whole theater experience. I actually sent a suggestion to my local theater office on how they might gain back sone of the home audience if they can find a way to improve the screen view. They need to be better than home like they used to before the big home systems showed up They liked the suggestion and ended up sending it to their operations office. Hope they come up with something cool.

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Fleet 2011/09/25 19:44:57

Home

Hey, if you're going to the theater you must be workin 2 jobs. It costs a fortune.

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PAULY 2011/09/25 13:39:29

Theater

Like watching on the big screen.

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Andrew 2011/09/25 11:38:00

Theater

It's a social event too, and theres something about movie theater popcorn that beats anything I could make at my house.

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Yanex Eights 2011/09/25 10:56:28

Home

i just wacth

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2011/09/25 03:13:08

Theater

yes

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Sandy 2011/09/25 03:01:31

Theater

Wish they would sell candy and choctops without plastic wrapping though - hearing crinkling at quiet emotional times during The Help yesterday was not cool.

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xifidieyoung 2011/09/25 01:46:56

Theater

+1
Going to the movies isn't just about the movie, it's about the experience.

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098765 to xifidie... 2011/09/30 06:37:45

these days the only thing people care about (besides money, popularity, and not getting their feelings hurt) is convenience. "the experience" as a concept no longer exists in the modern world. that's why people read "books" on lit-up screens and watch "films" on digital media and digital displays. records, analogue media, arcades, theatre, REAL books, and even culture itself is dead. it's all about how fast, how cheap, and how easily you can get whatever it is -- no effort, no time, and no real sense of appreciation. cheap, disposable, lazy society in which i'm ashamed to exist.

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xifidie... to 098765 2011/10/10 16:28:53

+1
I personally believe that experience trumps convenience, but that's just me.

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Billie bear ~ Ƭɦɾɩɭɭ Ƙɾɘɰ ~ 2011/09/24 22:20:05

Home

It doesn't cost as much to watch from home, you can sit in your pjs with whatever munchies you want, you can pause to use the restroom etc. At home is always better.

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