While the story can be a bit bland or even cringy, the movies have a lot of visual appeal. I’m not surprised they do well.

Why are you equating a poor movie going experience with being antisocial and introverted? This resort to ad hominem is unnecessary just because we are having a discussion. I get plenty of regular social interaction, it just doesn’t involve theaters. They’re a pretty minimal interaction space, anyway, if you’re behaving as you should in that space. People can get out and enjoy each other’s company for cheaper and with a better overall experience in myriad ways. While I agree that there need to be more third spaces, the theater won’t be it, if for the expense alone. I remember a time when it was a good way to enjoy some A/C for a couple of hours for relatively cheap. It’ll cost $20+ just for the ticket to sit in a dirty chair.

Very true! I have a great setup at home and I am sitting in the best position for it. Also, it isn’t deafening when action picks up. Louder is not necessarily better.

Theaters tend to be dirty, and the people tend to contribute to making the experience worse with their lack of common decency and consideration for others. Add the cost to attend and the value just isn’t there for many people. These are the major factors to declining sales. Additionally, my home setup is quite nice and not as expensive as you might imagine. My home experience is great. There’s no one to interrupt, throw food, or generally make a nuisance. Also, I can pause at my leisure if I need to take a moment for something else.

I suppose. I don’t think he’s inherently wrong here, though. Ticket sales have been declining steadily for some time, and 2020 sped it up. Theaters have grown increasingly expensive to attend, while the experience has gotten progressively worse.

“Old news” is an idiom meaning outdated or no longer relevant. It isn’t quite that literal.

This feels like when fire alarms go off at work. Literally, no one gives a shit. There are a few people who basically go “fuck yeah, I’m gonna go stand outside until someone collects me,” but most just continue with whatever it was they were doing. This is not the attitude you want emergency services having towards reports of active shooters.