I used to go to the movies, years ago, fairly regularly, but the last time was 2 years ago when I took my granddaughter to one. For a while, I rented them from the video store, and bought my favorites second hand. Then I had Dish Network.
Since the economy has tumbled though, movies are a luxury that had to go. Now, I watch the occasional one they have or network TV or I borrow them for free from the library.
Have your movie watching habits changed? In what way?
[question posted by PeacefulWmn9]
responses and comments:
I used to go to the movies regularly, too. It seems like in the past couple years the price for one has gone from $4 to $10. I still love movies, but I only rent them now, and if only its a movie i Really want to see. [megumiart]
I think many have had to cut back actually going to the theater. I miss it, but it was a good way to cut back on expenses in this economy. Thank you for responding! Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
we used to go out to the movies a lot... but when it started having price increase on the ticket, we rarely go anymore... the last time i watched was last year. my kids also are not into movies, i dont know why, they like watching videos though and those they watch, they watch it over and over... yes i agree with you, movies are a luxury now. also one reason i dont go to the movies that much is when i had become hearing impaired, my husband consider it a waste of money if i watch movies because i wont be hearing anything... but he's wrong though...lol.. i can lip read, and i always like what's the feeling inside the movie house... i only watch those i really really want to watch, others i watch in videos. [jayrene]
Aww, I can see that you would still be able to very much enjoy a movie. I also miss the atmosphere of the theater, but not enough to pay the high prices : ) Happy mylotting! Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
the second to the last movie i saw was rush hour, i would love to watch die hard but i was busy.then next to that is x-men origins wolverine. the gaps are far. i love watching movie but we have a three year old son and we miss him badly when we go out without him. we are still trying to adjust so we rent more than we go out to see a movie. [se7enthbird]
How sweet that you are devoted to your son. It won't be long before he will be old enough to enjoy going to children's movies with you. Renting them and watching them at home is a good alternative for now : ) Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
I rarely used to watch movies.yes I agree with you movies are nowadays luxury. If I really want to see a movie i will also rent it. [Sugan_241181]
I used to watch far more movies, but I now take them out at the library, since they are free. Happy mylotting. Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
Before I go to movie houses to watch but now its very rare. I just push my self to go to movie houses if the movie is worth seeing in big screens. Last movie I watch was Angels and Demons. Im planning to watch Terminator this saturday in Big screen again. Most of the time, Ill rent DVD or borrow them from my friends. I also do some downloads in the internet, its illegal though. hehehe [rsanders26]
So basically, you go several ways to watch movies. Versatile, yes : ) I hope you enjoy going to the movies this weekend. I have read the book Angels and Demons, but haven't seen the movie. : ) Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
I never rent fo watch movie.I just watch movie from my usually cable television and my paid cable.I have many choice to watch by use these two methods.Thank you and have a nice day,friend. [hanah87]
I used to watch a lot on cable and dish tv, but had them removed to save money. Happy mylotting to you and thank you for responding : ) Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
No I don't go to the movie theater I prefer to rent movies. The economy is not good I agree that watching movies in theater is a luxury. I think it is been 6 yrs the last time I went to movie theater with my friend. I'm not comfortable there I still prefer to watch movie in the comfort of our house. [agv0419]
I do think watching videos at home had become very popular even before the economy had such serious problems. Many people, myself included, love to be able to do that at home now. : ) Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
I still go to the movie theater maybe 1 or 2 times a month. I go to first showing of the day because the tickets are only $6 bucks. I don't rent movies I just usually end up buying them on Blu-ray so I can watch them whenever I want to. [GoCubsGo77]
There is something special about seeing a movie on the big screen, yes? I haven't heard of Blu-ray, but I will have to check it out. Thank you for responding. Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
I prefer to rent than watch movies. It can serve much cash if we just rent anyway the importance is you can see it. The whole family can watch the movies and you can save much of it. The extra would be the budget for snacks in watching but but to go movies is better than a small screen at home. [geniustiger]
Watching movies at home can be a wonderful thing to do together as a family. I know I have heard that at the movie theaters now the snacks add up to more than the tickets. Thank you for adding to this conversation : ) Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
Well, I can say sometimes I still go to movies because the ambiance is still different when watching at home and in theaters. [iceblade007]
You're right...the ambience and seeing a movie on the big screen is special! I do miss that. Thank you for your response. Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
Yes, I still go to the cinema quite a lot but it has to be to watch a film that I think is going to be really good. It's just too expensive to go all the time when you might end up paying to watch something that is rubbish. Another annoyance of the cinema is the fact that only te big mainstream films get shown where I am, anything remotely arthouse/foreign doens't get a look in so I don't get the chance to watch them there sadly. [lowres]
In my small city, it is the same as far as foreign or artistic films...they never make it here. And it is awful to have to pay the prices for something that turns out to be a bad movie. Thank you for you input! Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
i haven't seen a film in the moves.because i like to watch it with my family,but not the strangers.especially.when it is in this economy,it can save a lot of expenses. [amyrun]
When my children were young, we loved to watch together at home as a family, too, and yes, the expense is one thing that keeps me out of the theaters these days. Thank you for responding : ) Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
we seldom go to the movies because for a family of 4 its pretty expensive. we do however, rent movies, not that often, but we do, if we want to see something that has just come out. more often than not though, we get movies for free from the library. [cher913]
It would indeed be very expensive these days for a family of four to go to the movies. I also like getting the free movies at the library : ) Thank you for your input. Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
I go to theater regularly. Because the experience of theater is unique. The picture, the sound, you cannot get that at home. You can if you have a separate home theater room. But I dont have that and the price is also not high here. In Metros the price could be upto 700 INR but in small cities and towns it is about 15 to 25 INR. So I go to the theater to watch movies. [souravrana007]
You are right about the theater experience being unique and unbeatable. How great that the movie tickets are reasonable in your area. I do miss the theater! Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
i used to rent movies.but now a days i download them and watch.actually life has become so much busy that i cant even watch for so many days.whenever i hear or read about a good movie i download it and watch or watch it online.its the best that i can do in short time. [smilingtiger]
Watching a movie online sounds like a great alternative for those trying to save money. Thank you for mentioning it. Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
I used to go all the time whrn I was younger and had money in my pocket. Now I'm a single parent of 1 12 yr old girl and a 10 yr old boy, The economy is on the fritz at the moment, and money is hard to come by. I save several ways. I go to Movie Trading Co. They have a huge seklection and you can rent it first and then if you like it you can purchase that movie, and you'll be given credit for the rental! When they first come out they are regular price but after they have been rented so many times the price starts to go down. I look for the lowest priced movie, rent it and if I like it I'll buy it for my collection. I also go to the library and borrow movies for free and the kids and me will have a movie night with our own snacks. You can go to the 99C store and Walmart and buy the same boxed candy that you pay $3.00 a box for at the movies. Also here in Hurst we have a dollar movie that is 50c on Tuesdays and on Wed its something like 75c if your group is three or more. We can afford popcorn and a couple of sodas with that price.WE also have a couple of Drive-ins left here as well. The first time I took my kids they fell in love with that experience. They still have the same ads they did when I was a kid too!! Its$4.00 for each of my kids and $6.00 for me but we get 2 movies!. You can still go to the movies and not spend a fortune. It is possible and still fun! [tschnyer47]
What a good variety of choices you've named, all good things to know! Thank you for sharing them with us. Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
I go to the movies a couple of times a year. But it was a while ago since last, I can't recall when it was. I think it was the newest Fast and the Furious. Renting movies is less often, but it acutally happens. But now a days I almost download all the movies I watch. [vekstr]
The internet is so good for many things, including movies. Thank you for your input on this discussion. Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
As a child going to the movies was a 'big event' we didn't have as many options then as we do now. Although I don't go often I really enjoy planning occasional visits. And I try to pick movies that I think will be interesting and I use my AAA membership to get a few dollars bumped off the price. I never buy food items of any kind from the theater anymore...the prices are completely unreasonable. I try to have dinner before I leave and I may carry a few snacks along with me just in case I feel the need to munch on something. I still enjoy the movies though, I have just so many fond memories of past visits that resurface whenever I return...8o) [SunlightSwoon]
When I was a child, we went to the movies just a few times, but they were wonderful times. I miss going, and hope to be able to do so at some point. It is great that you have the AAA discount, and yes, taking your own snack from home would save a fortune! Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
I do not go to the movies anymore i used to about twenty years ago.I used to rent them and found out that nine times out of ten i did not watch them or i was late in returning them there for it would cost me alot of money.Now i wait until they come on tv that way i am saving money. [jugsjugs]
That would be the ultimate money saver. : ) Happy watching! Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
Our movie habits changed when we had my son. He's not old enough to sit quiet in a movie theater. [wakinsey]
Aww, but he will be before you know it, and it is such fun to go as a family : ) Happy mylotting! Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
While i was in college and in the early days of my career i used to watch almost every movie "first day first show". But over a period of time this habit has changed and now i really dont remember which was the last movie that i saw in a theater. It must have been more than 6-7 months now. Now a days most of the movie DVD's are available in the market quite soon and so i prefer watching them at home in the comfort of my home. But even i miss the fun & joy of the theatre. [vaibhavratnaparkhi]
I do think our viewing habits change over time, but most of us still, as you do, love and watch our movies in some way : ) Thank you for responding. Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
My movie watching habits have changed. I used to go to the movies at least every other week (but usually once a week), but now I don't go at all. It's been about four months since I last went. I feel like I'm in rehab. I calculated this and I've saved about $80-$100 per month by not going to the movies because when I go I like to go all out and get all kinds of snacks and food for everybody. Now I just watch DVDs at home and movies on television while I eat leftovers for free. However, I might relapse and go see Transformers 2. [Valentine28]
LOL, so you are having movie theater withdrawals? That is a big savings, but I would think it wouldn't do it much damage to go once in a while : ) Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
I rented VCD or DVD. I often go to the movies since I have always this second thought that for me it is not important to watch it now as I will see it on our cable channel. I rather wait for it to be shown on cable tv instead of watching in the movie house spending money and I agree it is a luxury. [grecychunny26]
Yes, it seems the theater is a luxury for many of us, and like you, we find less expensive ways to watch the movies we like : ) Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
hi peacefulWmn! ^^ i used to go to the movies regularly when my work assignment was in the city. i used to go at least once a week or twice a month depending if there's a good movie to watch. i have always liked watching movies in the theaters. even before when i was in college, whenever we go to the city, we try to watch a good movie. but it all changed when i got transferred here in the province. the movie theater here isn't good and i don't like watching there because i feel like i would be wasting my money. i now watch movies by downloading them from the internet or buying bootleg dvds in the streets. rasp there's a good movie theater in the next town but its kind of a hassle to go there. there's always traffic there. but if there's a good movie theater here in our town, i'd surely be watching movies there regularly. happy [secretbear]
i don't know about being a movie critic. i'm just a humble movie lover. ^^ [secretbear]
I used to belong to a DVD movie club, PeacefulWmn9, but it got to be quite expensive so I canceled my membership. Then I didn't do anything for awhile. Recently I decided to try Netflix, and I find it is very much to my liking. I can rent any movie I want and keep it for as long as I want for a nominal monthly fee. The real beauty of it for me, though, is the ease of returning the movies to them. You just pop it into the prepaid envelope and drop it in the mail. How cool is that! [worldwise1]
My oldest daughter and her family really love Netflix, too, for the same reasons you do. I really need to give that a try! Happy weekend to you. Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
happy I do both. In general, I prefer watching a movie at the Cinemas. However, there are times when I get too busy with things that I do not have time to watch a movie at the Cinemas anymore - so I just wait for the release of the DVD. [russso]
The cinema definitely has an atmosphere that can't be topped. And nothing shows the details of a movie quite like the big screen : ) Thank you for commenting on this discussion. Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
I rent a redbox movie when they have their free codes. But, more often than not I just go to walmart and buy a 5 dollar movie. It's worth it to me because usually it's a movie that I love and can watch over and over and over again. Plus, I have a lot of favorites that I want to share with my children as well, and children really wear out movies so again this is worth it for me! [dismalgrin]
I also take advantage of sales and previously viewed movies when it's one I love to watch over and over or something I know my grandbabies would like : ) Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
I go to the movies a good bit still, in fact I am going tonight. But it doesn't count really because I only go to the cheap theater. Where I live I have a very cheap theater that shows movies ofr only three dollars after they have left the normal theater. They also have dollar wednesay night for all movies and dollar candy night for all the candy there on Mondays. It's pretty nice and I hope it doesn't go out of business. Otherwise I would not be going to the normal ones because I can't afford to spend nine dollars on a movie right now. [csrobins]
Yeah that i sa great thing to have for kids and mothers. My mom used to take me to those, I wish more things were still free and convenient in life...sigh [csrobins]
I like to curl up with good food (maybe cheese, crackers or popcorn, have my coffee and cigs close, my dog ( or a friend), go to the bathroom when I want to and not miss any of the movie, watch it twice in a row if I want, and generally just be very comfortable. Most movies I get from Pay T,V, [gypsywoman344]
An excellent and relaxing scenerio! : ) [PeacefulWmn9]
I never go to the movies. It has been over a year since I have gone to the movies. I never even rent movies. I saw a movie on DVD about 3 weeks ago and the first time I have even seen a movie on DVD in a long time. [sharlahodges]
Our tastes do very widely. Some just are not that into movies : ) Thank you for responding. Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
I usually just watch movies on netflix. although it seems like lately they dont have enough copies of the new releases to keep their customers satisified. if that is the case and im not getting any movies because they are all long waits, then I just rent a movie. I rarely do that though. Especially during the summer. I am more outside and busy with other things., [nrn2003]
My daughter and her family use Netflix, too. Perhaps they'll start keeping more on hand so that they don't run out. Like you, I watch more videos in the colder months, because I love to get outside when it is warm : ) Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
Hi dear I don't go there any more. More over the cinema halls in my city are closed. I do see movies in small screen lol using my DVD player. Thats convenient and cheaper too. Cheers my friend. Subash [tigeruncle]
Hello Subash...I'm sorry they closed your cinemas, but you're right when you say that watching the DVD's is cheaper. Have a great day! Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
The truth is, movies are not cheap anymore. I cannot understand why there are too many people still going to the movies, then they have to suffer long lines, then suffer the agony of having a difficult time looking for a parking space. Then, having to fall in line whole waiting for th schedule. What i do is, i just go around renting the cd of the movies. Sooner or later, cd and dvd versions are going to be released. Then, what i do most of the time is also to just download the movies. After watching, what i do is i erase the movies i downloaded so i can save those precious space for the other movies that i will download for me to watch in the near future.. [safejunk]
You've found a great solution to save money, time, and waiting in line! Kudos. Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
Hello PeacefulWmn9, Like you, I used to go to the movies too but after giving birth two years ago, I had to let go that hobby. I used to go twice or thrice a week. Now, I prefer to stay at home and watch DVDs with my husband and son and sometimes, if there are interesting movies on HBO, we can easily have movies marathon at night! [gr8life]
Ohh, how I love family or couples night with movie marathons. I'm glad you do this : ) Have a happy day. Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
Hello my friend PeacefulWmn9 Ji, Now it is toatally stopped to go to theatres. I never bring anything rented as well. Last time we watched movie 'KAL-HO NA HO' in US in 2003. My age is such now. May God bless You and have a great time. [maygodblessu44]
Hello my friend PeacefulWmn9 Ji, As time passes things keep changing. I have come out from the stage, when we used to watch Movie 'First day, First Show' to present views, due to our age. I remember, when my hubby was in service, we had three small children, I will make them ready and no sooner, he will come , we will finish Lunch and go by cycle (all the five in one) to see Movie, that was the craze for picture. Now, I fully undersatnd 'Law of marginal Utility as wa staught to me during economics. Our desires are full-filled and so, rejection is in process. May god bless You nad have a great time. [maygodblessu44]
Believe it or not, the last time I went to the theater was to see Castaway! and I didn't enjoy it very much, so if it doesn't come on TV, we either buy or rent the DVD if we want to see it. [carlfan99]
I usually enjoy anything with Tom Hanks in it, but I was disappointed in Castaway, too. You've found a great way to watch movies and save money at the same time. Thank you for sharing that : ) Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
We don't go to the theater near as much. With a family of four it costs way too much these days. In the summer we have 2 drive in movie theaters that we frequent. For the four of us it is only $16 to see a double feature, and they are new releases. We just went to see Star Trek and Wolverine. The kids think it is great and we can even take our own snacks. We also have a second hand book store that has several movies to buy for cheap. Happy MyLotting! [sherono]
We no longer have drive-in theaters near us, and I miss them. They used to be everywhere! I am happy that you and your family still have them...a great way to save money and enjoy time together. Karen [PeacefulWmn9]