We live in the middle of nowhere, so the closest movie theater to us is about 45 minutes away if there's no traffic or bad weather. Then, when we get there, the lines are usually out the door because we're not the only ones who have to travel just to see a movie in a theater. In addition to all of that, the prices are just way too high for tickets, food, and drinks. To top everything off, the theaters are usually packed and there are always at least ten or fifteen people who have to be ushered out because they are disrupting the show. All in all, that spells a bad experience for us. If you haven't guessed, we prefer watching movies at home.
Do you prefer watching movies at home or in theaters? Is your answer based on experiences, preferences, or both?
[question posted by explorations]
responses and comments:
I think each has its for and againsts. I am "fortunate" enough to live near quite a few cinemas, so the distance is a moot point. Watching a film at the cinema allows me to see a film earlier than it is available to watch at home (legally) and I rarely have had the experience of needing people thrown out of the cinema so all in all it is usually a good experience. However, I find it astronomically priced once you have included the food and drink, in addition I am not usually paying only for myself becuase I am with a date/female friend so I pay for them also. Additionally the increased control of the movie, the ability to pause, go to the toilet, watch the rest later, or not at all if it a bad movie, means I more often than not prefer to wait for the movie to come out on DVD and watch it in the comfort of my own home. [troatunit]
I prefer watching movies in the theaters - I love the experience of the big screen and eating the yummy popcorn. [kellys3ps]
It really depends on the movie for me. "Independence Day" didn't look nearly as good on the small screen as it did on the big screen. Same with the "Star Wars" movies. But other movies, like "Raising Arizona" or "Turner and Hooch" or "The Sixth Sense" were okay on the small screen. [gantwick]
I have some 8 theatres in my immediate vicinity and I used to watch movies there a few years ago.But for the last few years the quality of the movies have degraded qualitatively.Films shot in a stereotypic way.So I Have lost interest in going upto the theatre,standing in the queue,taking the ticket and trying to kill almost three hours.But as far as the hollywood action thrillers are concerned I still prefer the 70mm theatre screen to watch inorder to enjoy it in the true spirit.SO I watch most of the hollywood films in the theatres and regional films at home. [cosmopolitan]
Although I can't afford to do it very often, I love going to the theaters to watch movies. The reason~ the popcorn! I love the theater popcorn:) We also have a great theater with huge seats that rock and relcine. It is so comfortable and the way the seats are arranged there are no bad seats in the place. The only downfall is the cost of going. [sunshine4]
I prefer watching movies in theatres but only when some one is with me.. or i will be happy watching it at home more then going alone to the theatre.. this is an intrestin question.. and i feel its same with most of people that they prefer going to theatres only when some one is with them.happy myloting [vipinl]
I much prefer to watch movies at home. It allows me to watch it at my own pace. Not to mention that I'm a lot more comfortable, since I'm in the comfort of my own home. [dodo19]
I used to love going to the cinema but now I hate it. I hate that most people think they're at their livingrooms and chat and answer the cell phone as if they were by themselves. Most people leave the cinema before the credits of the film end, so the ushers want you to go too, no matter if there's something at the very end or if you want to see the titles of the songs. So I sadly prefer watching movies at home :( [raxxie]
i want to watch at home!!! if i gotta pee then i can pause it, if the phone rings i can pause, if i want a snack i can make popcorn for a fraction of the price. and my chair is way more comfortable that the seats at the movies and doesnt have any boogers on it!!! [lovinlifemindless]
I like the big screen too but we are new in this city and have a little child so our chances to see anything for adults are very close to zero, so I see most of the films at home. If there were matinee shows we could go but that is not possible here. I like anyway to see films laying in my own sofa. [overwings]
I watch most movies now in thee comfort of my own home. Going to the movies is usually a getting together with friends and a whole dinner and a movie night. Don't get me wrong, i like going to the movies, but as some people have mentioned before, it has gotten really expensive. So the movie will have to be something i really have wanted to see and just can't wait till it comes to video. [uicbear]
I like to do both of these things. A movie can make a great outing, but renting a movie for home has much cheaper concessions! All you can eat even! [RubyRipple]
With us, it is not the cost or the time it takes to get to the movies, but it is the taller people who decide to come in and sit in front of us when the most exciting part of the movie is on. Not to mention, that the theaters are not like what they used to be, with the big theaters now divided into three smaller ones with the seats being smaller and more crowded together. Oh and on the weekdays, our theaters are not as full, but for some reason the tall people still come in and sit in front. So I prefer watching the movies at home, even though I might have to get up and get my husband a cup of coffee and two slices of toast in the meantime. Besides cannot stand those seats in the theater that never stay down unless you sit on them. [suspenseful]
Hi, I prefer watching movies at home that way I can pause if I need to but at the theaters I can't do anything but watch the movie.I always seem to get the seat kicked by some rude person.I one time yelled at the person I just got tired of her kicking me throuout the movie. [ds6413]
It is understandable you do not like to go to the theaters. However, I have never had a bad experience by going to a theater. And I do not mind go to the cinema. Watching a movie on a big screen is a great experience. We have at least two cinemas close to where we live. But, like you, I prefer also to stay at home and watch movies. I think it is much more comfortable to stay at home. You can make coffee, you kan sit in a sofa, you can stop the movie when you want to go to the toilet etc. etc. [clubnika]
I prefer watching movies on my laptop. It's fun & exciting. You don't have to pay for the tickets or food. [naziashajid]
Home is better. I like enjoying the movie while lying on the bed.It's great to relax myself.More important it's free to do things I like in my own space. Theaters are good spaces, but as you said ,they are packed .And always filled with lovers. Addtional, enjoying movie at home can save some money ^^& [jecoso]
ya i just used to see some movies in theatre but most of the time i prefer watching movie in my home as i have a 7.1 channel home theatre which sounds great then some theatres hence i prefer to watch in theatre [prasanna1990]
I prefer to watch movies at the house. No lines, no talking during the movie, and no teenagers in front of you making out the whole time. At home you can lay down or sit up your choice. I feel if I watch at home I get more out of the movie and actually understand where is going. [megdp07]
i like to watch movie at home n in theather too. watch movie at home .... i dont spend my money n my time but i like to watch movie in the theather too cause i watch new movie n i go there with my friend/family so there's something pleasure for my self [noniefam]
In my opinion, this really depends. I would rather watch films at home if I am in your shoes. While, on the other hand, I prefer to watch films in the theater, if only the circumstances are good, or films need good sound and visual effects, or when with my girlfriend. Going to the theater is somehow a kind of life style in big cities. Therefore, do enjoy it as long as you can. [chriswolf]
watching a movie in theaters is better than at home because there are no disturbance and you can share the laughters with others especially when you are watching comedy. Its just that its expensive so even if i wanted to, i just can't. Instead, i just wait for the dvd copy and watch it at home. But if given the luxury/chance then theater is my best option to go. Anyway, i didn't have an experience wherein i was distracted from watching in theaters. The reason is that i like having many people with me and i don't care that much if they laugh out loud. [laedyan]
we will choose watching movies in theaters,such as disaster film,action movie.Many times ,we can watching movies at home.it will be freedom.you can eat something and not affect others.If you have whim,you can go to theaters to relax. [Tinna_He]
My husband and I prefer watching them at home because it is cheaper, we don't have to deal with long lines or all of the traffic to get there and we can eat our own popcorn and have our own drinks without paying a fortune. Every once in a while going to the theater is nice but it is always better at home. We either watch them on the movie channels or pay per view and we have a DVR where I can record anything I want. So I just set the movies I want to record on the DVR and watch them when I want to. The closest theater from where we live is 20 minutes away and it is all highway so that is not a big issue but it just feels better to watch them in the comfort of our own home. :) [cwilson26]
i always prefer watching movies at my home, because it's very comfortable to watch movies at my home. i donot like going theaters. beacuse there crowde will be heavey and sometimes we may lose our things at the theaters. even my friends donot like to go to the theaters. [chitta604]
I prefer watching movies at home. Watching movies is too waste time in a theater. It's none of the money thing. [Jarek008]
I am lucky because I have a theater right across the street from my apartment but I never go, I've tried but between the screaming kids, cell phones ringing, people talking, crazy snack prices I prefer to stay home where I am comfortable, can eat what I want, can pause the movie whenever I need to and pay a lot less for a pay per view than the theater prices. [howard96h]
I am handicapped and for me it is much easier to watch at home on pay-per-view and cheaper. I went to the movies to see Will Smiths new movie SEVEN POUNDS and it was $8.00 a ticket. That was way to much and then drinks starting at $2.25 for a small. I don't think I will ever go again, and I took my son. That busted my social security budget all to hell. I would rather pay the $3.99 for my pay per view. [kijiky]
I seldon go to cinema,since you have to spent a lot at cinema.I always stay at home and watch movie in internet which is free,also i can always find website taht I can download them free.sometimes I copy what I my friends and sister have downloaded.I haven't gone to cinema for several years. [angelapple]
I prefer watching moves at home..I a kind of person that likes to concentrate and really understand what the movie is all about so i prefer to watch movies in my home because the distractions and noice sometimes at the cinema really pisses me off and especially when you are seated beside a noice fellow.. [mikkymyde]
lol I prefer watching movies at home using DVD or some youtube movies using my PC. i don't like going to theaters because you can't leave your seat when you need to go. you can't even leave your bag because some one might try to steal it or some crook might snag you and forcefully asked for me. i remember a crook who followed me in the theater. good thing i got away and i had company back then. [Greeneagle24]
hi U better download movies at ur home PC and watch it....... all the new movies will be on ur Hard Disk and whenever u wanna watch u can watch-it. if u don`t know where to download new and latest movies and how to download. I will Help U [vishalpokar]
Hi if u have internet at home so better download movies and u can enjoy the show with ur family....... [vishalpokar]
Our nearest theater (cineplex) is about 5-10 minutes drive away; yet we have not visited it for umpteen years. Movie tickets are expensive; and with the queue and annoyances in the audience, it is just not worth the time and effort to get there. So we usually buy Dvds and watch in the comfort of our home. [lazeebee]
I don't like to watch movies in theaters,because that climate is not good.so i prefer to watch movies in home and i like to see movies with my family. [madhu_yl]
I always prefer to watch movies in the comfort of my home, which saves money as well as time also. It gives you complete flexibility and control over the content you are watching. [suruchi86]
I like watching in theaters, with all the big-time sound system and giant screen. It's especially wonderful if I watch action and sci-fi movies in theaters, I can enjoy every explosion and special effect the movies offer. However, being in a country where movie piracy is way beyond control, I've grown fond of watching movies at home (please don't tell heehee). The picture is quality is more or less the same, and I can get to enjoy more comforts than I can in theaters. One thing is that I can get bathroom breaks whenever I can because I can always pause and play. I don't have to follow movie schedules, I don't have to dress up to go to movie houses, and the biggest treat - there are no annoying "commentators" that tell their friends what's gonna happen next without bothering to tone down their voices. If you're going to watch as a family, it's also much cheaper. Your menu is not confined to cheese- or butter-flavored popcorns, potato chips, and candies. Heck, you can even eat lunch while watching the movie. There are countless other reasons, and honestly, I think advantages of watching movies at home outweighs movie-watching in theaters. Hope this helps ^_^ [mendoza_charissa]
Definitely watching them at home! Going to theaters is way too expensive! The last time I went to one, there were four of us, it was a matinee, and it still cost us over $60.00!!! Nope, I'll wait for it to come on cable, Movies on Demand, or as a DVD before I'll watch any movie. [mentalward]
it really doesnt matter to me but for the past couple of times i have fallen asleep at the movies [erricaalisa]
i am very much a homebody and always have been so i much prefer doing things in the comfort of my own home. i am really not that social and i do not have the need to be out and about around alot of people. i have always had the ability to be alone without feeling lonely and to keep myself occupied and busy. we tend to watch many more movies at home over the summer months because we go to the local library and we get dvd's for no charge and you can keep them for two days. in this economy it sure beats going to blockbuster. [mikeysmom]
i usually prefer watching movies at home, and this is based on my experience.. i like letting my emotions getting the best out of me without looking like a fool in front of many people... sometimes though, i like watching movies in theaters especially when it's suspense or thriller movie.. the atmosphere just add up to the experience better.. :) take care! [darianne]
I prefer to watch movies in theaters. Sometimes you just want to get out and see things up live and you want the whole theatrical experience: the popcorn, the food, the man with the big head blocking your view, the standing in line waiting to buy your tickets and hoping that you get yours, or the feeling of disappointment as the ticket seller shuts his/her windows at the very moment that you step forward and places a big sign in front of it reading, "Sold Out". I love the atmosphere of the movie theater; you can't beat it. [afdinki]
Both. I like watching a movie at home because if I have to pause it, which I don't like to do, I can. At the movie theater I can shoo away a child who wants something. If we do go to the movies at a theater its usually G rated, at home I can have more discretion. We like the $1.00 theater, if the movie stinks I'm out out for the popcorn and drinks. [gitfiddleplayer]
I prefer to wathc movies at the comfort of my home. I often watch them on my computer but sometimes I do go at the cinema theare if there is a good movie to follow. I think that a movie loses a lot of special effects when the movie is watched on a small screen such as a televsion or a computer. (c) ronaldinu 2009 - the more people I meet-the more I love my dog [ronaldinu]
Its nice to stay home and watch a movie and alot cheaper also to just buy it on DVD. It was nice the other day when I went with a bunch of girls to watch the movie twilight. I haven't been away from the kids on my own in a while and it was nice to not have to worry about anyone but myself for 2 hours and just enjoy the movie. I didn't realize that it now cost $10 a person for the show and if you buy a movie from walmart the week its realeased then its only $15 with the price of popcorn and a drink at the show you end up saving a bit and get to watch the movie again. [mflower2053]
i used to think seeing movies at the theater was amazing like i was going to a theme park or something but latley yes its cool but the dream of it kind of goes away and watching a dvd is a better quality picture usually but since ive gone to the imax theaters those are amazing alittle more expencive but well worth it [goat6boy]
My closest cinema is 10 miles away,a 7 screen theatre...Certain movies do need to be seen on the big screen,in my opinion..I pick and choose which movies I'd like to see there..with my work schedule,I'd work a lot of evenings and weekends,so I'd not get to see as many as I might like to..I started collecting DVD's with special editions and director's cuts of movies I'd enjoyed,but recently,making a choice between going to the Cinema to see a Movie I was Iffy about for the evening,or buying a budget priced DVD of a Movie I'd missed and would have wanted to see,(costing maybe half the price of a ticket and snacks!)I'd go home with the DVD! [ShepherdSpy]
We do not go to the theatres much, maybe a couple of times a year. Watching movies at home is nice as you can do it on your schedule, pause if really needed, eat what you like, not wear clothes if you choose, and the people who may cause a disturbance are people in your home that you should know, and have the power to make leave, if chose to excercise. [UtopianIdealist]
Hi Explorations, When I'm young and dating with my girlfriend (now my wife), I like to go to theater and eating with snack and drinking. But now I prefer stay at home watching my movies, download from internet. Sometimes just lazy to go out and the price of ticket also high. [my125125]
I live in the country, and the cinema in downtown is about 30 mins by bus. The price is ok for me, but I dont like to go there alone.Besides, I think its more convenient to watch movies at home.If I have companions and the movie is what i like, I would prefer to go to the cinema. [sweetyethot]
At home. I usually watch them at home. I wait till they come out on video and see them usually on Mondays, because they are free for me on Mondays at the local Redbox inside of the nearby Wal-mart we have down the street from our town home. The main reasons why I like to watch them at home are: 1. I don't have to be quiet, can be as loud as I want to. 2. I can eat whatever I want while watching them. 3. I can watch subtitles with the film 4. I can rewind fast forward 5. I can fall asleep and not miss any money, just rewind the DVD from the last spot I remember. [hdjohnson]
I enjoy the comforts of my own home to watch most of the movies. Sometimes I will get us drinks and make popcorn and maybe have some other snacks too. I like to cuddle on the couch and watch a good movie with my hubbie. However, I do like to go out to the movies every once in a while too. Sometimes my husband will take me out on a date for dinner and a movie. We try to have date nights every so often so we don't forget why we got married. [jsitko]