If you’re a moviegoer, you might have noticed that more and more big-time cinemas have been closing down. This has affected massive companies like AMC and smaller household names like the Alamo movie theatre in Texas. It’s no wonder that we have seen an enormous decrease in moviegoing following the surge in popularity of streamers during the COVID pandemic. Still, many people are going to movie theatres, but they’re going to independent ones. This might seem like a contradiction to many people, but there are very real reasons as to why independent cinemas are surging while the massive theatres are suffering.
One key factor is maintenance; independent cinemas often take better care of their spaces, ensuring a cleaner and more inviting experience for guests. Keeping pests at bay is an essential part of that, and many rely on trusted solutions like those from thanos home to maintain a pest-free environment without the use of harsh chemicals. Let’s take a look at the current state of moviegoing and what we could see over the next few years in this industry.
Program
One of the big drafts for many smaller movie theatres, of course, is the fact that they have unique movie schedules that usually are unique to their theatre. This means that many people get the opportunity to see older movies in the theatre for the first time, especially younger people who weren’t around when these movies came out. So, it’s no wonder that many people are drawn to this kind of movie theatre, especially if they are cinephiles who are more interested in older cinema than they are in the current state of the movie industry. You can follow your favorite independent cinema on social media to see what movie they might be scheduling in the coming weeks or even months.
Special Events
One of the great draws of independent movie theatres often is that they can book very special events. Whether that means having an all-day showing of all three of the Lord of the Rings movies, or presenting local talents’ movies on the big screens. There are also very great opportunities where you can see showings of your favorite movie accompanied with discussions with directors or actors that were involved in the making of said movie. For example, the Alamo Draft House has been able to book the director of American Psycho for two hours of discussion after a viewing in the theatre. These kinds of events are usually more easily booked in smaller movie theatres than they are in big chains like AMC.
Building Community
The reality is that if you visit a massive movie theater with multiple screens, you’ll likely see them dominated by superhero films or major blockbusters. However, smaller independent cinemas must carefully curate their screenings to cater to their audiences. While they may not showcase the latest Hollywood spectacles, they have the unique advantage of offering movie schedules tailored to local demand. This is where building a strong community becomes essential. Independent theaters thrive by directly engaging with nearby residents and loyal moviegoers. Many use social media to conduct polls and gather input, ensuring their film selections align with what their audience wants to see. Just like other businesses, independent cinemas succeed by fostering a dedicated following and creating a space where film enthusiasts feel valued.
Price
One of the great benefits of independent cinemas is that they do not have to kick up any of their profit to a big company that is investing in their location. So, what this means is that the price of admission can be lower since all the money goes either to the movie theater or to the company that sold them the rights to show that movie. Independent cinemas being independent rather than part of a big chain also allows them to offer very different snacks and drinks, which can often be at lower prices than those of bigger cinemas. This is currently a great thing considering that many people don’t have the spending power that they used to, only a few years ago, meaning that it is way more efficient for them to spend their money locally in independent cinemas.
Keeping Money in the Local Economy
In the grand scheme of things, this is very important that many consumers might not think about. But the reality of course is that if you spend money at your independent cinema in your hometown, all the money that is spent there will of course be reinvested in the cinema itself as well as the community surrounding it. That much cannot be said if you spend money at big chain cinemas, considering that a lot of their money goes back to their home offices, which often are in different states, sometimes even in different countries. So, you can see that encouraging your local semis is not only the best way to keep it going but also is a great way to make your local economy thrive. This way you get the best of both worlds while also being able to see your favorite movies on the big screen.