U.S. Adults Favor Streaming Films Over Theatrical Experience

Streaming Films Over Theatrical Experience: I remember the time when people excitedly waited for their anticipated film to hit the theater so that they could run to the theater to watch the first show. All that rush and excitement cooled down when the COVID-19 pandemic made its entry. Public places like theaters were closed, but entertainment didn’t stop. At that time, when going out was a great risk, people relied on streaming platforms. While binging became people’s first hobby, the buzz of going out and watching a movie at a theatre became a part of history.

Even when theaters reopened, theatrically released films found it very difficult to entice moviegoers because streaming at home had already become their comfort zone. Today, with films like “Oppenheimer,” “Barbie,” and the recently released “Dune: Part Two,” the situation has commendably improved. These films made a lot of money at the box office. However, there is a long way to go, as a major number of audiences still prefer streaming rather than theatres.

In a brand-new poll conducted by HarrisX, it is revealed that an overwhelming number of adults located in the United States choose streaming films over going to cinemas.

Theaters versus Streaming Platform, a much-hyped debate

According to a new poll conducted by HarrisX, it’s been revealed that only 34% of adults in the United States actually prefer to watch flicks in movie theaters. The Vice President of HarrisX, Allison Brady, said of the results (per IndieWire):

“The competition continues between streaming services and the Hollywood engine. While we still see evidence of loyal movie-goers in recent box office numbers, our study shows that 2 in 3 movie watchers prefer to stream movies at home. Despite this causing some upheaval for the industry, it also means that the demand for content is only increasing – nearly half of consumers say they stream movies weekly, more than 7x as frequently as those who do so in theaters.”

The poll was conducted recently and was held for two consecutive days on Monday, March 11, and Tuesday, March 12. Over 1,000 adults in the U.S. participated in the poll, which was “weighted” by the following criteria: gender, age, race, income, and regions “where necessary to reflect the population.” The movie theaters vs. streaming platforms poll’s margin of error was calculated at +/—3 percentage points.

The box office didn’t start well at the start of the year. However, films like “Kung Fu Panda 4” and “Dune: Part Two” saved the box office with its impressive commercial success. Yet it seems hard to convince the U.S. adults who have made up their minds to watch films only when they are released on streaming platforms. According to the poll, 66% of U.S. adults prefer watching movies from their comfort zone rather than going out to movie theaters. According to the same poll, 30% of those who participated will stream a film multiple times a week. Meanwhile, 30% of those who responded only go to the movie theaters “a few times a year.”

It’s evident that streaming platform certainly dominates movie theaters, as people are more concerned about prioritizing their convenience. However, visiting a theater and watching a movie has its own perks. For instance, 59% of film lovers are drawn to cinemas for “the experience of watching a movie on the big screen.” 47% of those polled pointed out “the quality of surround-sound systems,” while 39% credited getting away from “distractions” as a major selling point for going to theaters. Other factors in movie theaters’ favor over streaming include (by polling percentage):

Theater Recliners: 37%
Concessions: 32%
Movies playing exclusively in theaters: 30%
3D, IMAX: 30%
Watch films with an audience: 26%
Movie premieres and/or special screenings: 25%
Nostalgia: 24%

Meanwhile, streamers have their own valid points to support their argument for choosing streaming platforms over movie theaters. They prefer streaming platforms based on (by polling percentage):

Ticket prices: 53%
Price of concessions: 42%
The comfort of watching films at home: 40%
Cleanliness of theaters: 23%
Bathroom breaks: 22%
Distractions from audience members: 19%
Travel time to theater, traffic, parking, et cetera: 15%
Film selection: 13%
Inconvenient theater locales: 13%
Limited availability and inconvenient showtimes: 11%
Seat selection: 8%

The HarrisX poll also reveals that 52% of those who participated suggested that the film’s running time should be between 90 minutes and two hours.

While it’s an unending debate whether streaming platforms are better than movie theaters, for now, let’s conclude the debate here by considering the benefits of both streaming platforms and theaters, as they both allow the studios’ productions to reach a much wider audience. The more the mediums of consuming cinematic treasures, the more the audience will be bestowed by variety.