Feb. 14, 2025
By Gabriella Cerreta
Staff Writer
With endless streaming options, it is tempting to skip the theater and watch movies from the comfort of one’s home. However, there is a unique and irreplaceable feeling when viewing a film in a theater.
One of the most significant advantages of watching a movie in theaters is the outstanding sound and visual quality. Movie theaters are equipped with cutting-edge surround sound technology and high-resolution digital projectors.
Many theaters also show movies in 3D or IMAX, which offer a heightened sense of depth and stunning visuals. Unless a person has a high-end home theater system, their TV or other streaming devices cannot provide the same experience.
Filmmakers create movies with a specific vision in mind, and theaters allow viewers to appreciate the film fully, with every color, detail and sound in its fullest glory.
Additionally, theaters provide a high level of comfort. Many theaters, such as AMC Jersey Gardens 20 and IPIC Theaters Fort Lee have cushioned seats. Meanwhile, AMC 14 and Cinemark Willowbrook Mall and XD in Wayne even offer heated seats, making them cozy and enjoyable, especially during the colder months.
By purchasing tickets, people help ensure the ongoing success of the film industry and support the creation of future movies.
One of the most underrated aspects of seeing a movie in a theater is the community. There’s something special about sharing a film with an audience. Whether you’re gasping in surprise because of a plot twist, laughing together at a funny moment or shedding a tear during an emotional scene, watching a movie in theaters allows the audience to share the entertainment.
With some movies, the theater even becomes an interactive event. For instance, when moviegoers watched the musical fantasy “Wicked,” which was released on Nov. 22, 2024, they often dressed up as characters from the film and sang the well-known score in designated sing-along screenings.
Another advantage of seeing a movie in a theater is the distraction-free environment. Theaters encourage everyone to silence their phones and refrain from talking. At home, however, it is easy to pick up one’s phone and respond to texts or scroll through social media. When viewers are in a theater, they are fully engaged, without distractions to break their focus.
Finally, by watching a film in a theater, viewers are supporting the film industry. Box office revenue is essential for the continued production of movies, especially for films that require large budgets.
Theaters faced financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, but box office revenues indicate they are showing signs of recovery. By purchasing tickets, people help ensure the ongoing success of the film industry and support the creation of future movies.
The theater, with its massive screen and enveloping sound, transports people into a world where every moment feels larger than life. It is a powerful, shared experience that streaming at home cannot replicate, allowing viewers to become engrossed in the story unfolding on the big screen.
