Cinema Experience Under Fire: Readers Cite Noise, Cost & Home Comforts as Theaters Struggle
Prague, Czech Republic – A growing chorus of cinema-goers are voicing dissatisfaction with the modern movie-going experience, with complaints ranging from disruptive audience behavior and excessive volume to high costs and the convenience of home entertainment. The concerns, shared in recent reader responses, paint a picture of a struggling industry facing an uphill battle to attract audiences.
While price isn’t the sole deterrent, several readers highlighted the escalating cost of a cinema visit, extending beyond ticket prices to include expensive refreshments. Naďa Freundová acknowledged the high prices, stating, “The prices are really big, but I respect them,” while Zdeněk Grégr pointed out the importent savings available at home: “At home, it’s a fraction of the price (movies and snacks).”
However, the financial aspect is often overshadowed by issues with the viewing experience itself. One reader reported negative experiences at Cinestar, describing the sound as resembling “a health-threatening brawl and instead of the music of a deafening techno party,” and questioned the lack of hygiene checks. Freundová echoed concerns about sound levels, specifically noting that even children’s films often have dangerously loud audio, “their ears get a hard time.”
The rise of streaming services and improved home theatre technology is also a major factor.Jeroným Novák, equipped with a “two-meter TV” and “super comfortable couch,” explained he now relies on platforms offering new releases shortly after their theatrical debut, avoiding “expensive money” and disruptive fellow patrons – “others who are disturbing, eating, snacking, drinking, their phones are ringing, children are disturbing.”
Despite the convenience of pausing and enjoying refreshments at home, some still value the immersive experience a cinema offers. Jan Novák stated, “Even though we have subscription streaming services…in the cinema, it’s an undisturbed experience for me, and money is not a concern.” He also expressed a desire for more classic film showings, citing the metropol cinema in Olomouc as a positive example with its movie marathons.
However, the overall sentiment suggests a bleak outlook for conventional cinemas. Zdeněk Grégr bluntly stated, “cinemas go completely bankrupt over time, it’s a dying discipline,” recounting a recent experience seeing a Leonardo DiCaprio film to an audience of only eight people. He added, “Sad, but that’s the reality.” Freundová acknowledged a shift in younger generations, observing they lack the same enthusiasm for cinema due to the abundance of entertainment options, lamenting they are “deprived of that joy and do not know about it.”
