Movies today, such as Godzilla Minus One, Transformers One, and The Wild Robot, have the privilege of being immortalized on streaming platforms the moment they leave theaters. Big-name services like Netflix and Hulu let viewers immerse themselves in whatever they want whenever they want straight from the comfort of their own homes; though, they do trade off the experience of fresh-hot popcorn and the enthrallment of a big screen. Even so, millions of theaters still advertise the re-releasing of movies from as far as a decade since it came out, such as Interstellar, spurring speculation on its necessity.
For many students, the little luxuries that come with watching movies at home tend to outweigh that of a movie theater: being able to eat their own snacks, adjusting things like volume and environment to their preference, avoiding the hassle of getting ready and driving all the while steering clear from the copious prices that come with watching movies at a theater. It is, for most, admittedly easier to dedicate oneself to a streaming platform costing only a monthly fee as compared to blowing a larger sum at a theater for a one-time experience.
“I’d rather stay at home and not spend that much money,” Avula continued.
Other complications would be how one can only reserve for certain times, such as noon or evening, and there could be other things already planned.
“There’s no point. [re-released movies] are usually already on a streaming service.” Junior Thanvi Avula opinionated. “I can just enjoy it on my own time.”
On the contrary, some students find that movie theaters provide an experience otherwise unattainable. Being able to go in the company of others and enjoy an outing topped off with fresh food and an unmatched movie experience, prioritizing full immersion, is unmatched for some.
“The sound effects and soundtrack booms into your ear in theaters. There’s nothing at home that can recreate the emotion I feel when I hear such loud effects,” freshman Michelle Kim shared.
Oftentimes, movies are re-released for a special anniversary, holiday or event, such as Interstellar; not only can dedicated viewers enjoy a film they’re already fond of, but it allows others to bask in nostalgia amidst the exciting experience of a movie theater accompanied by family and friends, while also providing a convenient second chance to those that were unable to catch a certain film upon its first screening.
“I missed the premiere of Suzume and I’m praying it comes back to theaters. It would’ve been so good,” Kim said.
Once a movie is taken off from theaters, the spotlight from it is almost effectively removed as newer, shinier movies take its place. Reshowing movies can not only be exciting for viewers, but it can also be a fantastic means of honoring the producer of a movie and those who worked on it, in turn appreciating the immense amount of work that was put into creating the film.
Viewing movies at home offers a completely different experience than a movie theater, both offering unique benefits that make a movie-watching experience enjoyable either way. Even so, giving dated movies another chance at the big screen keeps them from being forgotten, which only further immortalizes their impact for years to come.