In today’s leisure culture, many individuals dedicate their free time and holidays to indulging in endless movie marathons, whether on the grand cinema screens or online streaming services.
The evolution of film consumption over the years reflects a dynamic journey—from the era of traveling shows, home projectors, and traditional cinemas to the advent of televisions, VHS, DVDs, and, now, online streaming services. Thanks to the internet’s transformative power and constant evolutions, streaming platforms, like Netflix and Disney Plus, have emerged as a convenient option for viewers to catch the latest releases at their leisure, eliminating the need for trips to the theaters and the hassle of ticket queues.
According to a recent online survey conducted by HarrisX on March 11-12, 2024, a significant 66% of adults in the US prefer waiting for movies to become available on streaming platforms and enjoy them anywhere they want, while 34% still opt for the theater experience.
In an exclusive interview with IndieWire, HarrisX’s VP, Alli Brady, said, “The competition continues between streaming services and the Hollywood engine. While we still see evidence of loyal moviegoers in recent box office numbers, our study shows that 2 in 3 movie watchers prefer to stream movies at home.”
The poll revealed the motivation behind this shift, showing that 53% of those willing to wait on streaming platforms do so to avoid expensive cinema tickets, and 40% extend their patience to enjoy home ambiance versus in a theater.
Further data shows that 19% are in favor of streaming to avoid distractions from other moviegoers, 15% prefer to ditch the inconvenient travel, 13% feel restricted by the movie selections, another 13% are not a fan of the inconvenient theater locations, 11% are limited by the availability of show times, and 8% want to avoid the trouble of selecting seats.
Interestingly, the poll revealed that 30% of viewers stream films two or more times a week, and the same percentage claimed to go to movie theaters a few times a year.
Are movie theaters bound to be a thing of the past, or will they thrive regardless of their reclining number of patrons? While homebodies have the poll’s upper hand, several factors favor cinemas. Notably, 59% of respondents anticipate the cinematic experience, including the comfort of reclining chairs, 47% are up for the superior quality of surround-sound systems, and 39% seek a break from home distractions.
The data indicates a substantial shift in consumer behavior regarding the consumption of the latest film releases, carrying significant implications for both film producers and cinema owners. This trend highlights the need for film producers to reevaluate their distribution strategies, focusing on partnerships with streaming services and creating content tailored to digital platforms.
While the rise of streaming services has reshaped how people consume films, cinemas have the opportunity to adapt and evolve by focusing on what sets them apart — the communal experience, high-quality audiovisual offerings, and unique events that enhance the overall enjoyment of watching movies on the big screen.
Film producers and cinema owners can successfully navigate this evolving landscape by understanding and catering to changing consumer preferences.