Why Don’t People Go to the Movies Anymore?
I went to the movies last Saturday night, and I couldn’t help but notice how dead it was.
In years past, a Saturday night during the Christmas season was a goldmine for movie theaters. Growing up, Friday and Saturday nights—especially during summer and winter holidays—were buzzing with packed screenings, sold-out shows, and fans eager to re-watch their favorite films.
When’s the last time you saw anything like that? It’s been a while, hasn’t it?
Today, movies are lucky to have a decent opening weekend before heading to streaming—or even releasing in theaters and streaming simultaneously.
As an independent filmmaker and writer-director of the supernatural thriller Spin the Wheel, I’ve been thinking a lot about why people don’t love movies the way they used to—or, more specifically, why they don’t love going to the movies.
The Moviegoing Experience Has Changed
Sure, we can blame the advent of streaming and video games as much as we want and say that people just aren’t interested in going out to the theatres anymore.
But, it never really explains how films like Top Gun Maverick and Barbie get butts in the seats the same way movies used in the 80s and 90s. So what’s really going on?
I’m going to say something that you might find controversial.
Movies peaked in the 80s and 90s, especially in genre films.
It was when we had the best storytelling on screen, the most care put into filmmaking, and the best audience reception to those movies. From budget to production to box office, it was a time when everything clicked.
Now, if you’re a visual learner, then check out my YouTube video on this topic!
Movies Then vs. Now
Let’s put this theory to the test. Picking a random month from the 80s, let’s compare June 1987 to June 2024.
- The Top Film in 1987: The Untouchables grossed $76 million domestically, or $211 million when adjusted for inflation.
- The Top Film in 2024: Inside Out 2 made $653 million domestically.
At first glance, it looks like Inside Out 2 wins. But the numbers tell a different story when adjusted for inflation and analyzed by per-theater averages.
The Per-Theater Breakdown
First, we’ll look at the top movies of June in 1987 and 2024.
- The Untouchables: 1,500 theaters, $140k per theater (adjusted for inflation).
- Inside Out 2: 4,400 theaters, $148k per theater.
That’s nearly identical. However, the difference becomes glaring as we move down the list.
- #2 Film in 1987: $136k per theater (adjusted for inflation).
- #2 Film in 2024: $50k per theater.
By the time we hit the #6 slot, 1987 films averaged $76k per theater, while 2024’s #6 managed just $2,600 per theater.
Why the Shift in Profit?
So what’s the takeaway? First off, the giant numbers we see today aren’t as big as they seem at first glance.
Even the biggest films of today are comparable to the films of old in terms of gross earnings.
Except that there’s way less of them. WAY LESS. There were only six films in theatres in June of this year that went wide. In the 80’s, there were so many that they had to cut off the list at the top ten.
Let’s explore why movies are generally making less money these days:
Fewer Movies in Theaters
In the 80s, studios released more films with smaller budgets, spreading risk across multiple projects.
Today, studios bank on a few massive blockbusters that must succeed.
Skyrocketing Budgets
Big-budget films dominate modern theaters, leaving little room for mid-tier productions. For example:
- The Untouchables cost $25 million ($70 million today).
- Inside Out 2 had a reported budget of $200 million.
Lack of Original Stories
The 80s and 90s gave us enduring classics like: The Untouchables, Predator, The Princess Bride, and RoboCop.
Compare that to today, where most top films are sequels, prequels, or remakes.
Are Today’s Big Movies Any Better?
Here’s the harsh truth: these massive, high-budget blockbusters aren’t necessarily better than the movies we loved decades ago.
Sure, some rake in huge profits (although, as we’ve seen, those numbers aren’t as impressive when adjusted for inflation). Others collect awards and glowing reviews.
But the real question is: will anyone still talk about these films 40 years from now, the way we discuss movies from the 80s?
I can pick almost any month from the 80s or 90s and find films that are still beloved today. Movies people didn’t just watch once but revisited time and again. Films whose lines are quoted, whose characters are iconic, and whose fandoms endure.
Take our example of June 1987. We had The Untouchables, Predator, Spaceballs, and The Witches of Eastwick—all still celebrated. These movies are as epic today as they were then.
Expand to the full year, and you get classics like The Princess Bride, Robocop, Dirty Dancing, Full Metal Jacket, Lethal Weapon, Wall Street, Evil Dead 2, Dirty Dancing, The Lost Boys, Good Morning Vietnam, Hellraiser, The Running Man, Fatal Attraction, The Monster Squad, La Bamba and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles… the list goes on and on. And that’s just one year in the 80’s!
Contrast that with today, where we’re lucky if one film each year becomes truly iconic. Even then, most are sequels, prequels, or remakes.
Will Modern Movies Stand the Test of Time?
Let’s be honest: how many of today’s hits will be remembered decades from now? Will people still talk about Deadpool 3 or Fast X the way they discuss Predator or The Thing? Probably not!
Sure, there are exceptions. Films like Top Gun: Maverick or Dune have staying power, but they’re rare. These days, it feels like movies with genuine word-of-mouth longevity and cross-generational appeal are almost extinct.
RELATED: If you’re interested in the discussion about why modern movies are not as good as the movies of the past, check out my article on why movie audiences should matter to filmmakers more than ever, and how low stakes are killing Hollywood!
Why Blockbusters Fail to Capture Hearts
It’s not just about the size of film budgets—it’s about how that money is spent.
In the 80s and 90s, studios made films with their audience in mind. They focused on tight budgets, relatable characters, and great stories. A few hits could carry an entire studio for a year.
Today, the strategy has shifted. Studios pour massive resources into a handful of tentpole movies that must succeed.
This risk-averse approach to making movies leads to films stripped of originality and passion, designed by committee to offend no one and please everyone.
The result? Predictable, forgettable movies full of CGI spectacle but lacking heart.
What types of movies might I be talking about, you might ask?
Any of the latest Marvel films (Madame Web & The Marvels, for example), Jupiter Ascending, Valerian & The City of A Thousand Planets, and Moonfall are the top movies that come to mind.
The Key to Lasting Stories
The classics of the past were made by filmmakers who truly loved their genres.
James Cameron creates great sci-fi because he’s a sci-fi nerd.
Quentin Tarantino makes unforgettable crime films because he’s obsessed with them.
But today, studios often mismatch talent with projects.
You get drama directors helming superhero films or rom-com producers tackling horror. While some projects defy the odds, many fail to connect with audiences.
Why Audiences Are Losing Faith
Audiences aren’t avoiding theaters because they hate movies—they’re avoiding them because they’re tired of being let down.
After seeing too many overhyped, underwhelming films, people would rather wait for streaming than spend money on something they don’t trust.
The solution?
Go back to what worked. Make movies that audiences want to see—relatable stories, real stakes, and bold creative risks. Give us movies we’ll still be talking about in 40 years.
A Shift Needs to Happen
Movies need a return to that 70s, 80s, and 90s model of good old-fashioned storytelling, with relatable characters, great dialogue, and purposeful action. With real stakes for the characters and audiences alike.
Movies with twists and turns that genuinely surprise and hit an emotional chord. With budgets that aren’t bloated or wasteful, but carefully tied to the genre and type of film being made.
And ultimately, with actual love for the story being told and passion for the genre in which it lives.
Because audiences aren’t dumb, and they can smell an imposter a mile away. So, let’s go back to giving audiences what they actually want. Let’s make stories great again.
Interested in making your own movies that your audience will love? Check out these great articles!
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