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New Universal Movies Will Come to iTunes and Other Online Platforms Just 17 Days After Theatrical Release
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AMC threatening not to show Universal's movies anymore is so funny to me, as if they have any power. That'd be like Sony threatening not to release anymore music on 8-track.
I think there's another conversation here too. If movies are moving to a 17 day screening time at theatres before they go to a subscription service agreement, what does that mean for the quality of movies that will be released thereafter? Does that foresee a time when movies will have a lower spend, with an impact to storylines, cast etc.? Will we go back to the 80's of many B grade movies, but very few good movies?
Now if we could purchase for $20 17 days after theatrical release, that would be a game changer for me. I paid a good chunk of change building out my home theatre so I’d rather get the enjoyment of my own living room than having to go out to a theatre where I have no ability to pause the movie or rewind.
The day VHS made it to every home changed the movie industry. Covid-19 continues to change things. As a geeky older guy I haven't gone to see much at theaters other than big cinematic movies. I think Bladerunner 2049 was the most recent. The quicker things make it to streaming the better. Let the chips fall where they may.
They are assuming you have multiple people watching at home. $20 for 1 person may seem exhorbitant, but divide that for a family of 4 or 5 and suddenly it becomes a steal. And you have to settle for the overpriced snacks at a cinema either, so the average family should still come out ahead overall.
Curious as to where you live. It is not allowed at any theater that I have ever been to. You pretty much have to sneak in any pocketable snacks... which leaves out popcorn and any decent amount of soda.
COVID-19 certainly hammered the theaters hard; but they were already struggling. For the past decade or more, people just haven't been out to the movies the way they used to.
Most of the restaurants around here were already offering that well before COVID-19 hit - it's just that most people weren't taking advantage of it. I would guess all those middleman-services (GrubHub, DoorDash, etc.) have been responsible for how common the practice had become.
And our local Fred Meyer store has been offering curbside pickup of groceries for a few years now.
I think it’s a good idea, and the $20 rental is only for whilst it’s in the Cinemas, you know it will drop to $5 at the usual period after release, when it becomes available to purchase too.
It’s cracking for family/group outings, and also for those that just can’t go out for health reasons generally, Not just COVID related.
There’s tons of films delayed... Some films are meant for early next year are also delayed...
For example, Top Gun: Maverick, James Bond: No Time to Die, Black Widow, Tenet, Milan, Eternals, Peter Rabbit 2, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Bill & Ted Face the Music, Morbius, The Many Saints of Newark, Fast & Furious 9, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Jungle Cruise, Uncharted, Fatherhood, The Batman, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Elvis, King Richard, Thor: Love and Thunder, Indiana Jones 5. There’s many more, but hopefully you get the picture.
Not every town has IMAX, I live in Bracknell, near Reading, my local cinemas don’t have IMAX, Reading is a big town, no IMAX, nearest would be London. I think there’s only about 20 in the UK.
My nearest Odeon is old and tatty, though our Cineworld is fairly new, but has some dodgy screens (I’ve had to complain a few times about screens being dirty, sound being off). Whereas, I have a large 4K TV and decent sound system. As much as there are films I would love to see on the big screen, there are some I’d watch, but not want to make that trip for.
It’s cracking for family/group outings, and also for those that just can’t go out for health reasons generally, Not just COVID related.
There’s tons of films delayed... Some films are meant for early next year are also delayed...
For example, Top Gun: Maverick, James Bond: No Time to Die, Black Widow, Tenet, Milan, Eternals, Peter Rabbit 2, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Bill & Ted Face the Music, Morbius, The Many Saints of Newark, Fast & Furious 9, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Jungle Cruise, Uncharted, Fatherhood, The Batman, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Elvis, King Richard, Thor: Love and Thunder, Indiana Jones 5. There’s many more, but hopefully you get the picture.
Not every town has IMAX, I live in Bracknell, near Reading, my local cinemas don’t have IMAX, Reading is a big town, no IMAX, nearest would be London. I think there’s only about 20 in the UK.
My nearest Odeon is old and tatty, though our Cineworld is fairly new, but has some dodgy screens (I’ve had to complain a few times about screens being dirty, sound being off). Whereas, I have a large 4K TV and decent sound system. As much as there are films I would love to see on the big screen, there are some I’d watch, but not want to make that trip for.
Which one comes with a "pause" button for when I want to go to the bathroom, or make some popcorn?
Or, you could go out for dates, and if not a date, go for the home option. It's not an either/or situation. It's opening up options for those that can't/don't want to go to a cinema.
It's a real shame to see the comments in here about price gouging and the expense of watching movies. These theatres aren't all mega rich corporates taking you for what you can get, they're businesses trying to make a profit to continue to offer the service and survive. If anything, the companies that fit that mould and are making the money now are the tech companies, the likes of Apple. The model is shifting.
You can afford 80+ inch TVs but aren't willing to pay $20 for the content that takes hundreds of days, hundreds/thousands of people and serious money to produce. Most films don't turn a profit, hence the shift from originals on the big screen to brands, franchises and a 'sure thing'. Not your fault as a punter of course but tech ubiquity and the subsiding of tickets through snack sales has shifted your perspective and the real cost has been lost.
It is a natural shift/process though and I do expect movie theatres will go away soon. Most people will consume their subscriptions through large TVs for the majority of content and the cinema of old will be replaced by specialist events. IMAX-like experiences only for event films, in fewer venues and/or themed festivals where you can get dressed up and share the experience (for sci-fi / horror / whatever).
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Then you will have to wait for the original release. You pay more to get it quicker or less to get it (and keep it) later. It's the economics of the business. They have previously given the option of a small premium to purchase in that opening window which I think works better.
You can afford 80+ inch TVs but aren't willing to pay $20 for the content that takes hundreds of days, hundreds/thousands of people and serious money to produce. Most films don't turn a profit, hence the shift from originals on the big screen to brands, franchises and a 'sure thing'. Not your fault as a punter of course but tech ubiquity and the subsiding of tickets through snack sales has shifted your perspective and the real cost has been lost.
It is a natural shift/process though and I do expect movie theatres will go away soon. Most people will consume their subscriptions through large TVs for the majority of content and the cinema of old will be replaced by specialist events. IMAX-like experiences only for event films, in fewer venues and/or themed festivals where you can get dressed up and share the experience (for sci-fi / horror / whatever).
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Then you will have to wait for the original release. You pay more to get it quicker or less to get it (and keep it) later. It's the economics of the business. They have previously given the option of a small premium to purchase in that opening window which I think works better.
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Such a great news ! I suggest to reduce the window to just 1 day. If I want to watch a movie at the theater I'll do that otherwise I'll watch at home with my Home theather. This insane 75 days of delay doesn't have sense anymore IMHO
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It's only a matter of time.
Movie Theatres are dead ... they are just waiting for someone to cut the cord.
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It's only a matter of time.
Movie Theatres are dead ... they are just waiting for someone to cut the cord.
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I boomed Top Gun: Maverick… it’s going to be a blast and NEEDS to be seen on a big screen. Honest!
My room: 5.1 dolby stereo + 130" projector on the wall. Me and my girlfiend alone, no need to take the car, get the tickets and yell at other 'cause ther're using their phone during the movie.
Gimme the digital version
I have been against this idea of a high rental....I'd prefer to purchase than to rent.
But, this past weekend we had an outdoor movie night for my son and a few friends (socially distant on their own blankets) and kids and parents loved the idea, so maybe, just maybe, if a film is out that they'd love to see a $20 spend on it JUST to rent is OK. (bummer that our outdoor screen is just 1080 (upscaled somewhat at that really) but the kids dont care.
But, this past weekend we had an outdoor movie night for my son and a few friends (socially distant on their own blankets) and kids and parents loved the idea, so maybe, just maybe, if a film is out that they'd love to see a $20 spend on it JUST to rent is OK. (bummer that our outdoor screen is just 1080 (upscaled somewhat at that really) but the kids dont care.
I never was what they call a people person, and since moving to SE Asia (that’s the 6 years mark) I grew even more unhappy to stay long in crowded places. There are some cultural differences, the locals have a different concept of personal space and what counts as polite / undisturbing behavior - and that was before the virus rampage 😬
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I am for this.
To all those saying they will not spend $20 to rent a movie, when you go to a theater, technically you are renting the movie. Yes the theater (depending on where you live) is a nicer experience, bigger screen, better sound.
I used to like going to the movies but probably only go to a theater once a year now, and that is due to the noisy kids and adults, people's cell phones, the prices and the stupid assigned seating that no one follows. The last time we went to go see a movie, someone was in our seats, the theater was not full, the wife said lets sit somewhere else. And wouldn't you know it, about 15 minutes into the movie, we had to move because the people who paid for their seats wanted them (which I understand), so we had to go ask the people to get out of our seats, and the cycle continued because no one was sitting in their assigned seats. So here we are 15 to 20 minutes into a movie and we have this domino effect of everyone getting their stuff and moving. I paid $75 that day for movie tickets and snacks and the movie was dumb (my opinion).
Now I realize that not everyone's theater experience is like mine and have much nicer theaters than what I am stuck with. I have to drive 30 minutes and pay what I think are high prices to see a movie. So I welcome the $20 movie option. I can pause it and go use the bathroom and not miss anything lol, I have my own snacks and beverages. Throughout this pandemic we have watched several movies this way and I do hope it continues. It is nice having options.
To all those saying they will not spend $20 to rent a movie, when you go to a theater, technically you are renting the movie. Yes the theater (depending on where you live) is a nicer experience, bigger screen, better sound.
I used to like going to the movies but probably only go to a theater once a year now, and that is due to the noisy kids and adults, people's cell phones, the prices and the stupid assigned seating that no one follows. The last time we went to go see a movie, someone was in our seats, the theater was not full, the wife said lets sit somewhere else. And wouldn't you know it, about 15 minutes into the movie, we had to move because the people who paid for their seats wanted them (which I understand), so we had to go ask the people to get out of our seats, and the cycle continued because no one was sitting in their assigned seats. So here we are 15 to 20 minutes into a movie and we have this domino effect of everyone getting their stuff and moving. I paid $75 that day for movie tickets and snacks and the movie was dumb (my opinion).
Now I realize that not everyone's theater experience is like mine and have much nicer theaters than what I am stuck with. I have to drive 30 minutes and pay what I think are high prices to see a movie. So I welcome the $20 movie option. I can pause it and go use the bathroom and not miss anything lol, I have my own snacks and beverages. Throughout this pandemic we have watched several movies this way and I do hope it continues. It is nice having options.
20 minutes of car from home to mt = 5$ of gasoline
2 x movie Tickets = 10$ x 2 = 20 $
20$ of rental already won IMHO
If we were discussing movies like LOTR quality etc. I would make exceptions. I do agree that there are movies that really need to be enjoyed on the big screen.
I think movie theaters will slowly die off much like the movie drive-in, which I always enjoyed doing to, even with the crappy car speaker stand sound.
We've actually had a couple of pop up drive in movies around here (I haven't been) but they seem to be really popular. I could actually see legitimate drive in theaters make a bit of a comeback.
I live in a large metro area and even with matinee prices, I don't think I can get a single ticket for under $12, so as long as two people in my family of four wanted to watch a movie, the $20 fee works out better in the end. Yes, it's more expensive than an Amazon rental, but it would be a current movie. I have zero desire to sit in a movie theater right now and can't see that changing any time soon.
I Agree - But what was REALLY stupid move on their part - they were "renting" that Trolls movie for $20… and then when it went on sale, it was $20(even if you already rented it) and then later they added a "buy $20, Rent $7" - I get that their normal pricing model depended on theater seats AND then later buys and rentals - but to keep the movie available and just changing the price tag was not smart. Now that I know their pricing model I will wait to rent at the $7 or just wait for the movie to go to Netflix, Apple TV +, Hulu, or Prime.