Fewer Movies Are Competing for Oscars, Another Worry for Theaters – Major Hollywood Studios are making fewer movies than they once did. Dramas accounted for just 7% of ticket sales last year, a drop of about 50% from two decades ago. Comedy has fallen even more.
by ICumCoffee
10 Comments
Well, since it’s become widely known that those voting weren’t required to watch the films the status of an Oscar greatly diminished. Yes, the rule changed, but it’s too late now. Every Oscar is forever tarnished by the knowledge that those voting may not have even bothered to watch the films.
I, for one, don’t give a damn.
This isn’t what this sub wants to hear it, but I think the multiplex model of theaters (where every city has multiple double digit screen theaters) is on the way out.
COVID hastened a trend that had already been happening. More people are staying home for their entertainment and less are going out to the movies. As a result, theaters need to continue to jack up prices to make the same quarterly earnings with less people.
I think we are reaching the point where the price isn’t worth it for a big chunk the of remaining theater goers. At least not for constant outings. Spending $15-25 per ticket on a 100 minute independent drama is not worth it for the **general public**, but they will spend $15-25 per ticket on the Mario Galaxy movie.
The movie theaters are being driven by event films now and for double-digit multiplexes that have to keep the lights on year round, it’s unsustainable.
I think we are on the verge of a major contraction of movie theaters, in the next 3-5 years. They’ll still be around but fewer and farther between and those that remain will be even more expensive.
The independent theaters will weather the storm best imo since they can do specialty events to attract the cinephiles. But I wouldn’t be shocked if a couple of the major chains completely cease to exist. I mean look at the AMC earnings report from yesterday…
I’m sure there is a list of reasons, but personally seeing notoriously talentless Kardashian-Jenners show up in mainstream film/tv and awards shows makes me think the entire industry for “artists” is a joke now.
Comedy as a genre of movie is basicly dead
The challenge is, it’s really only drama that’s considered for Best Picture, along with one token action/ adventure film. So of course there’s a limited pool.
Dramas work just as well at home. TVs and sound systems are inexpensive now and you don’t really need to be with a hundred other people to enjoy a drama. Usually it’s a better experience if you can see it alone. The movies I go to are mostly event films which need a big screen experience or fandom stuff which is fun to have everyone dressed up or immersed in it.
Barely any cinematic comedies get made at all these days
Weird, because I’m watching 2 or 3 new movies a week at the cinema right now, and there’s about another 3 a week I’m not watching. I don’t think there’s a reduction in the number of films being released. As to quality, at least 2 of the films I’ve seen this month had packed screenings, the likes of which I’ve not seen since the pandemic. So people are going to the cinema.
I think the only problem is that the world is miserable right now, and no one wants to go see the kind of depressing, boring crap that has been getting nominated for best picture over the past 2 decades. Why can’t we go back to the days where fun pictures were not only nominated, but sometimes won. Where are the good morning Vietnam’s, or Forrest gumps, or Apollo 13s? Films that people actually went to see and enjoyed.
I blame super hero movies.
I only want to see a big action movie or sci fi in the theaters these days, if Im paying that much for it. Otherwise I’ll watch a drama or comedy at home.