COVID-19 Killed the Movie Star

In the face of a pandemic celebrating its first anniversary, many staples of entertainment have been temporarily postponed.

Movie theaters in California, for example, have been closed for months. When theaters do begin to reopen, however, the question remains: How many movie viewers will return?

With a large number of streaming services available, many argue that watching movies from the comfort of one’s own home is more enjoyable.

When going to a theater, a single ticket generally costs about $14. If you pre-purchase your ticket online to ensure you get a seat, the theatre also charges $1-2 in convenience fees. If the movie is new, you either need to arrive early or pay the extra convenience fee in order to get a good seat.

Alternatively, when watching at home, one must pay for the streaming service, which normally costs around $5 a month, and then an additional $20 or so for the new movie. 

However, with that $20, you can watch from multiple screens and pick the time in which you view the movie. You also get to pick your own seat, though there’s a possibility you’ll have to fight with your family or dog for the best one. Either way, there’s a near 100% guarantee of a comfortable seat.

Besides not needing to get dressed, one of the best parts about watching a movie at home is being able to pause or rewind whenever you desire.

If you need a bathroom break or want to refill your drink, there’s no pause button at the movie theater. Finally, there’s the option to add subtitles, which is normally very rare in theatre screenings.

When movie theaters finally reopen, some might want to go back for the large screen and audience reactions. However, they will still have to deal with questionably cleaned chairs and annoyingly loud talkers sitting adjacent to them.