Is watching movies from home or in theaters a better winter activity? I sent out a survey to Lincoln students to find out what their thought were on this debate and I received a variety of interesting responses from ten students.
55.6% of the students who responded said that they prefer watching movies in theaters compared to the 44.4% that prefer watching movies at home.
Students said that their decision on how to see a movie is influenced by personal interest, their friends or family and seeing a movie go viral on social media.
One student said for their family, when they decide to go to the theater, they are “seeing a movie the right way.”
For me, seeing recommendations on social media makes me more interested in the movie, and I want to go see it in theater. Then I can have my own opinion on it and compare it to those that I see from others online.
Some students, like senior Fera Thomas, prefer to watch movies at home.
“You don’t have to pay for it and you can stop the movie and get up and do something,” said Thomas. ”It gives you more freedom to pause it and take a break.”
Another important factor that can influence the choice is the price of admission. The average movie ticket price is between 10 and 12 dollar. Including a ticket and snacks, it can cost $20 to 25 dollars to watch one movie that can be free from home.
Senior Jonathan Wilkinson believes that generally movie theater prices are not worth it.
“[It is worth it] only if it’s a really good movie,” said Wilkinson.”The snacks are overpriced … Most of them are really unhealthy, and when I’m at home I can choose the snacks that I want which I definitely prefer.”
Personally, one positive aspect of seeing movies in theaters is the fun environment of going with a large group of people.
Thomas also believes theaters create a better environment for going to see movies when with others.
“You’re all there and you want to see the same thing. It’s also dark and there’s a huge screen,” said Thomas. “It’s a huge group of people who don’t know each other but you’re all laughing together at the scenes.”
There have been many newly released movies in the theaters this winter season. Our interviewees shared their thoughts on the films currently playing.
“The most recent movie I watched in the theater was the new Deadpool, and I thought it was really good. I thought it was a bit too loud, but I had a good time,” Wilkinson said.
Thomas said, “I watched Wicked in theaters, and I thought it was really good, but it was really long. It was over two and a half hours. I don’t think I would want to watch it all in one sitting.”
The debate between watching movies in theaters versus watching from home is one that cannot be easily settled. It comes down to personal preference and what type of environment you most want to partake in, as well as what experience you are looking for. Is it the theater where everyone is laughing together in front of a huge screen with no background noise, but there may be overpriced snacks? Or would you rather watch a movie for free at home that you can pause, without that theater experience?
Ultimately, regardless of if you choose the comforting convenience of an at-home movie or the immersive magic of a movie theater, the movies have a unique way of bringing us together no matter where we see them.