Where We Watch Movies

Picture this: You see a trailer for a new movie, and you can’t wait to watch it. Until last year, you would have had to go to a movie theater to see it right away. That’s because movie studios and theaters had agreements—new films could be played only in cinemas for 90 days before they could be released for home viewing. 

As streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ gained popularity, studios tried to shorten the 90-day window. But theater owners resisted. They feared people wouldn’t buy movie tickets if they could watch films at home for less money.  

Imagine you see a trailer for a new movie. You can’t wait to watch the movie. But you can’t see it right away. You have to go to a movie theater. That was how people watched new movies until last year. That’s because movie studios had agreements with movie theaters. Movies could not be viewed at home until 90 days after their release. Movies could be played only in movie theaters for those first 90 days.

Streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ became popular. Studios tried to shorten the 90-day window. But theater owners resisted. They were afraid that people wouldn’t buy movie tickets. The theater owners thought everyone would watch films at home for less money. 

In March 2020, everything changed. Theaters closed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Studios delayed the release of new movies. As the pandemic wore on, some studios changed their policies. They started releasing some films to streaming services. In many cases, the decision paid off. 

Take Trolls World Tour, for example. It released digitally in April 2020 for a $19.99 rental fee. In only three weeks, it earned nearly $100 million! That’s more than the first Trolls film made over five months in theaters. 

Everything changed in March 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic made movie theaters close. Studios delayed the release of new movies. The pandemic lasted a long time. So some studios changed their policies. The studios released some movies to streaming services. That was a good business decision for most movie studios.

Trolls World Tour is one example. The movie was released digitally in April 2020. It cost $19.99 to rent the movie. Trolls World Tour earned nearly $100 million in only three weeks! That’s more than the first Trolls film made during five months in theaters.

Now, experts say movie-release plans have likely changed for good. “Some studios have announced plans for 30- to 45-day windows,” says Shawn Robbins, an entertainment analyst. 

But theaters may not become totally extinct! “Theaters have stood the test of time,” says Robbins. “They are a vital part of pop culture.” 

Experts say movie-release plans have likely changed for good. “Some studios have announced plans for 30- to 45-day windows,” says Shawn Robbins. Robbins is an entertainment analyst.

But theaters may not be gone forever! “Theaters have stood the test of time,” says Robbins. “They are a vital part of pop culture.”

Do you prefer to watch new movies at home or in a theater?

Do you prefer to watch new movies at home or in a theater?