New Universal Movies Will Come to iTunes and Other Online Platforms Just 17 Days After Theatrical Release

[Ansath]

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 😬

I'm with you, over the last couple years, there's been more and more people spending the entire film messing about on their phones, despite there being the usual 'put your phones away' before the film starts, it's really off putting. Plus there's always people having a whole conversation during films, about the film (Who's that? What are they doing? what were they in?), which really bugs me. So, I won't mind cutting back going to the cinema and save that for the larger releases that I feel I have to see on the big screen.

Plus my cinema is the equivalent of $18 just for a ticket.

 

[Jon Rowlison]

What does "theatrical release" mean?

 

[bniu]

The only compelling reason for movie theatres these days is 3D, and who knows, maybe the tv industry gives 3D another try at some point. The previous 3D implementations worked pretty well technically, but they were insanely difficult to use and I think the only way to get 3D was through 3D Blu-ray. In the next go around, if 3D files can be streamed and all TVs can do 3D passively with the same glasses working on every tv, then 3D has a much better chance of succeeding.

 

[Ansath]

What does "theatrical release" mean?

When it's released in a Theatre (Or Cinema if outside of the US).
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The only compelling reason for movie theatres these days is 3D, and who knows, maybe the tv industry gives 3D another try at some point. The previous 3D implementations worked pretty well technically, but they were insanely difficult to use and I think the only way to get 3D was through 3D Blu-ray. In the next go around, if 3D files can be streamed and all TVs can do 3D passively with the same glasses working on every tv, then 3D has a much better chance of succeeding.

There's also 4DX, Super Screen (not sure if that's only called that in the UK), IMAX, as other draws for cinemas too.

 

[notabadname]

This is totally fair. $20 seems too fair for a new release, honestly. Rarely would fewer than 2 people view a film in a showing and likely more like 4. Addionally, I think it is completely fair that this is a rental, not a buy option. No different than going to AMC to watch a movie in week 3 of its release - you don’t get to own the movie then either. But I am not surprised that so may complain about having to “pay” for the creative works of others. The age of pirated music and movies still continues by an entitled society.

 

[HiVolt]

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.

Well that discriminates against single people pretty harshly.

 

[ActionableMango]

Theaters are doomed.

New Zealand is COVID-free and opened up internally. You can go to the theater and not have to wear a mask and not have to worry about COVID. And yet, even with pent up demand, participation is a paltry 17% of what it was last year.

Theaters also have to deal with a terrible economy and the fact that people don't even know how they are going to pay rent, much less go out for movies.

On top of all that, they also now have to complete with "theatrical release streaming".

I would not want to be in AMC's shoes right now.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

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.

Ah sorry to hear that. I'm in Australia. You?

 

[notabadname]

Well that discriminates against single people pretty harshly.

“the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things” - I don’t think you are being treated in a way consistent with the definition. The price is essentially per screen (TV) - it actually doesn’t discriminate at all. It is your choice to discriminate as to who you want to put in front of that screen - friends, neighbors, family members, or just yourself.

 

[Ansath]

Ah sorry to hear that. I'm in Australia. You?

Technically, in the UK, they don't allow it, but they don't really check (the hanging bags of sweets, Cineworld usually put their own branded stickers on them when you buy them, so they can tell, but half the time they forget). The only time I saw anyone get stopped for bringing own food in, was for the Avengers double bill where one person wanted to take a Pizza Hut pizza in, and another their McDonalds. lol

 

[Agent OrangeZ]

Ah sorry to hear that. I'm in Australia. You?

USA. Although my daughter is stuck in Australia with her fiancee right now because of COVID. She has been there since March. He is Australian... but they are getting married and he is going to be moving here (Arizona).

 

[TonyC28]

The new normal. Probably see fewer theaters in the coming years. But people will still pay the experience when the world gets back to normal. I want to see Top Gun 2 in a theater before my living room.

Checking back in to say that I did get to see it in the theater and it was worth the wait.