When movies were first created, people would all gather together in one place to watch them because that's how movies were and were able to be presented. Over the many decades, movies were made specifically for "the big screen". But we don't need a big screen now. It's just an option.

I could envision a future wherein smaller movie theaters filled the niche for people who want to watch movies as a social outgoing and for movies which are better on a big screen with surround sound. But that vision looks very little like these big chain theaters do. It looks much more like a projection of small, local theaters.

[–] Skyrmir@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Dinner theaters are the new niche. Comfy chair with a decent meal while you watch a film. The main sticking point is that the only way to make it work is for the theater side of the business be a loss leader, and the food business isn't known for being kind.