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Movies Businesses Television The Almighty Buck

18 To 24-Year-Olds Are Hitting the Big Screen at Lower Rates (fastcompany.com) 226

An anonymous reader shares a report: For data and movie geeks, the MPAA's latest "Theatrical Market Statistics" report is a wealth of information about the health of the movie business. The big picture: 246 million people went to the movies in the United States and Canada last year, a 2% increase from the year before. But dig into the trends and things start to get a little more interesting. For instance, looking at per capita attendance broken down by age group shows 18- to 24-year-olds are hitting the big screen at lower rates than they were in 2012, although they saw an uptick last year.
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18 To 24-Year-Olds Are Hitting the Big Screen at Lower Rates

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  • by Anonymous Coward on Thursday March 23, 2017 @09:49AM (#54095219)

    They're broke that's why.

    Ticket prices keep going up with inflation, wages not so much.

    • by DuckDodgers ( 541817 ) <(moc.oohay) (ta) (flow_eht_fo_repeek)> on Thursday March 23, 2017 @10:07AM (#54095379)
      Agreed. Young adults can't afford the ticket prices. Going to a movie theater was always a luxury event, but for some kid working at a gas station or earning a few dollars in a college work study can't drop $13 just for two hours at a theater.
    • by Moheeheeko ( 1682914 ) on Thursday March 23, 2017 @11:05AM (#54095913)
      For the price of a ticket and a small bag of popcorn, you can wait 6 months, rent and or buy the same film, and watch the same film on your own home system, and without overpriced snacks and assholes who talk during the movie.
      • by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

        Plus you can throw the bag of popcorn away and enjoy the movie without the sickly sweet smell and rustling bag noises.

      • Sure. For the same price I can watch it on a substandard screen with substandard sound on a less comfortable seat (remember movies are too expensive so imagine the shit state of my home entertainment system).

        As for arseholes, maybe you're generalising, or maybe you live in a really shit neighbourhood but people who talk during a movie typically get kicked out of the cinema where I live, and I've never seen it happen because people in general aren't arseholes.

    • by thinkwaitfast ( 4150389 ) on Thursday March 23, 2017 @12:06PM (#54096485)

      I was very young when Star Wars, but I vividly remember that it cost $2.25. Plugging the values into the Inflation Calculator [usinflatio...ulator.com], I get a value of $9.04 today. I saw Hidden Figures last month and paid $9.00 for a ticket.

      Minimum wage in 1977 was $2.31 [state.ct.us], or $9.29 inflation adjusted. Minimum wage as of January 1, 2017 - $10.00 [dol.gov] Maybe movies just suck

      • Around me they're about $12-15 for a ticket, if I drive a bit to a more rural area they're $9-9.50
        • This was in Tacoma, so fairly large city in the Seattle metropolitan area. Not only that but I got recliner seating vs 1975 movie theater seating. That changeover occurred in the late 90's.
  • Clearly it is a business plan that needs a reboot in the days of mobile entertainment.
  • Why? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by SlithyMagister ( 822218 ) on Thursday March 23, 2017 @09:51AM (#54095249)
    Perhaps if there was something worth watching...
    Something other than re-hashed comic books perhaps...
    • Perhaps if there was something worth watching...
      Something other than re-hashed comic books perhaps...

      Oh darling, check what's actually playing rather that getting your movie listings from the Marvel fan site.
      My local cinema chain is currently offering over 60 different movies in my city and the next one over this week alone. A single one is based on a comic book, Logan, and that was a damn good movie.

  • Comment removed (Score:5, Interesting)

    by account_deleted ( 4530225 ) on Thursday March 23, 2017 @09:52AM (#54095261)
    Comment removed based on user account deletion
    • by khr ( 708262 )

      3. films.: six sequels to the fast and the furious?

      Man, I just saw a poster in the subway station for a seventh sequel to The Fast and the Furious.

    • Re:three reasons: (Score:5, Insightful)

      by geekmux ( 1040042 ) on Thursday March 23, 2017 @10:08AM (#54095395)

      1. money....Exorbitant fees for tickets and concessions price most of them well outside the range of the 18-24 demographic.

      And yet fueling up with a $7 mochafuckachino at the local hipster coffee shop every morning, along with a $100/month all-you-can-eat unlimited cellular plan, are well within the gotta-have-it budget for everyone in the 18-24 demographic.

      Funny how that shit excuse of "money" gets confused with priorities...

      • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

        by dwillden ( 521345 )
        No argument on the coffee, but likely they are riding on their parent's cell plan getting that unlimited data for $10-$15 bucks a month while Daddy pays the main fee.
        • No argument on the coffee, but likely they are riding on their parent's cell plan getting that unlimited data for $10-$15 bucks a month while Daddy pays the main fee.

          My parents paid for my voice-only cellphone for ten years. The catch was to call my mother every day since my older brother couldn't be bothered. Those calls weren't easy when she was drunk and bitching about my brother, and quite painful in the weeks before she died from breast cancer. After she passed away, the cellphone got transferred into my name and I only had to call my father five days a week for eight years until six weeks before he passed away from throat cancer.

      • by cdrudge ( 68377 )

        A large portion of the 18-24 demographic may be on their parents plan or split among multiple people lowering the average cost. And I don't think any of the major carriers charge $100 for their "unlimited" plan currently. I know I have 4 lines on Tmobile for $100 (+ taxes) and while not unlimited, with our home internet none of us go over the 3 or 3.5GB/month bucket.

        18-24 years ago the previous generation also probably had a $40 phone bill, $20+ internet bill for dialup, and $40+ cable bill...all replaced b

        • A large portion of the 18-24 demographic may be on their parents plan or split among multiple people lowering the average cost. And I don't think any of the major carriers charge $100 for their "unlimited" plan currently. I know I have 4 lines on Tmobile for $100 (+ taxes) and while not unlimited, with our home internet none of us go over the 3 or 3.5GB/month bucket.

          18-24 years ago the previous generation also probably had a $40 phone bill, $20+ internet bill for dialup, and $40+ cable bill...all replaced by that now <$100 cell phone bill.

          The plans are only cheaper now because the phones are purchased a la carte (as they should be).

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by chispito ( 1870390 )

      1. money. boomers spent a generation ruining any chance of a millenial or post millenials ability to buy anything more than a bus pass.

      This blame-Millennials, blame-Boomers crap is counterproductive and stupid. I'm sorry you had crappy parents but mine are great. And likewise with Millennials: I know a few starry-eyed 20-somethings myself and I hope they can learn from at least a few of my own mistakes.

    • Comment removed based on user account deletion
      • Don't blame this boomer for their problems. My children are doing just fine -- good-paying jobs, nice houses, and new cars. Of course, they chose career paths and degrees that would result in good jobs, not some worthless degree that would lead nowhere. My son posts here on a regular basis. He can tell you the same thing.

        Hey, that's great and resembles me and my father, however, it's just a case of selection bias. My father says things like you did but only because his company didn't outsource his department till he hit retirement age unlike the other competing companies. He has this conflicting dialogs of "only dead wood ever get laid off and real workers will have careers" along with "I was lucky my company didn't outsource or I would have had to find a new job at an old age for less money and be forced to relocate to tak

    • Pixar used to churn out a good film...

      That's because they used to be independent instead of being owned by Disney.

    • by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

      I actually enjoyed the Fast and Furious sequels. They are unashamedly dumb action movies, but well made and self-aware enough to be funny and exciting.

      Much more enjoyable watching them at home though.

    • Exorbitant fees for tickets and concessions price most of them well outside the range of the 18-24 demographic.

      I just spent $13 to see John Wick 2 (good movie by the way). I paid $3 to upgrade to a comfort seat.

      The 18-24 demographic have no problem downing $10 worth of alcohol in 20min at a pub, not to mention over priced whateverthehell that thing they serve at starbucks is (I dare not call it coffee). Ticket prices are not their concern.

  • Movie theaters are going to become the next video rental shops, as in they are going to die a slow and noisy death.
    With home theater systems getting cheaper and better and better every day, it's practically inevitable.
    They may not fade away completely (just yet at least) but location and pricing is going to become paramount, just like books shops are now.
    I mean, I still browse through the occasional book shop, but I can't remember the last time I bought a physical book. Erm, nevermind, just remembered,
    • The average theater is going to not make it. However, chains like the Alamo Drafthouse are still making money hand over fist, just because they offer not just a baby-free, cellphone-free, and chatter-free experience, but decent food and suds.

      Theater chains like AMC may still be around for entertaining kids or whatnot, and they will still have a spot, but their market share will definitely shrink. The days of grabbing a XL Coke and popcorn and considering that as decent food are gone.

      • by Binestar ( 28861 )

        Regal in my area is adapting quite well aiming for the older crowd. They've changed their seating out for reclinable seats. You can order your ticket online and reserve your seat, so no fighting in line to get the best seats, just order online a week in advance and you're guaranteed your spot. The Seats are huge. https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.... [tripadvisor.com] https://s3-media1.fl.yelpcdn.c... [yelpcdn.com]

        A bit more expensive than I would like, but for the few times I go see the movies I'm okay paying ~$9.50 on a matinee ticket a

      • A lot of theaters around here have changed. They aren't the old 90's movies theaters any more (yay!). They serve restaurant quality food, have the "dial-a-soda" machines so you can get your half cherry diet something half orange diet something if you want. The theaters have reclining sofa-ish leather chairs arranged in pairs. The food is brought to you in the theater, and you book your seat at the time you purchase your tickets.

        This really solves most of my complaints about going to the local theater.

      • Youâ(TM)re quite right about the Alamo. Ever since they opened a location in my city, itâ(TM)s the only one I goto. No babies, no phones, and ZOMG, those boozy milkshakesâ¦

        Even so though; the GP is right in that thereâ(TM)s progressively less reason to goto a theater anymore. My TV and stereo are good enough⦠and Iâ(TM)ve learned to replicate enough of the boozy milkshakes⦠that it really takes a highly visual movie that makes full use of the big screen

    • This has been predicted for the last twenty years
  • by pablo_max ( 626328 ) on Thursday March 23, 2017 @09:56AM (#54095297)

    The last few times that I went to the cinema, I was very disappointment with the experience.

    The last thing I saw was in 3D, so I had to pay an additional 5 bucks. So, 40 bucks for two people. Then 5 bucks for the "small" 200 ounce soda and another 5 bucks for a "small" dumpster full of popcorn.
    Then you sit down in the grungy seat and watch the movie. Then notice that the audio is not really calibrated all that well.
    Then the movie is over and you try to pry your shoes from the soda glue all over the floor. Maybe you even use the bathroom with the pervasive urine smell and racist comments carved into the doors.

    Yeah... Hard to imagine that attendance is down.

    • by David_Hart ( 1184661 ) on Thursday March 23, 2017 @10:41AM (#54095703)

      The last few times that I went to the cinema, I was very disappointment with the experience.

      The last thing I saw was in 3D, so I had to pay an additional 5 bucks. So, 40 bucks for two people. Then 5 bucks for the "small" 200 ounce soda and another 5 bucks for a "small" dumpster full of popcorn.
      Then you sit down in the grungy seat and watch the movie. Then notice that the audio is not really calibrated all that well.
      Then the movie is over and you try to pry your shoes from the soda glue all over the floor. Maybe you even use the bathroom with the pervasive urine smell and racist comments carved into the doors.

      Yeah... Hard to imagine that attendance is down.

      My local theater became a Showcase de Lux with leather electronic recliner seating, etc. Yes, you pay a bit more for the ticket but the experience is completely different from the old sticky seat days on cheap night... That being said, the vast majority of movies on Bluray 4K look and sound just as good on my 65" UHD 4K TV and Denon Dobly Surround system as they do on the big screen and my fridge is a whole lot closer.

        I do still go to the movies, but I'm picky about which I see on the big screen. The last was John Wick 2. The next one I will watch in the Theater is Ghost in the Shell.

    • Cool story. I just saw John Wick. Perfect screen, perfect sound. Admittedly I didn't buy popcorn, so I can't comment on the price but I did pay $13 for the fancy reclining seat, though the $10 seats are quite comfrotable and clean.

      Maybe you should go to a different cinema.

  • Two of the 'beer and restaurant' type movie theatres here have gone bust. I was disappointed... we don't make it out too often, but the kids always enjoy it. Used to go almost once a week back when I was a younger fellow without responsibilities or obligations. Home with streaming or red box has become much more convenient if you don't mind the wait, though.

  • Is there a new play on old chap?

    Everything is moving to on-demand. 4K, 10bit HDR1000 displays at home put most cinemas to shame.

    Why choose to go somewhere, sit with people playing with their phone and munching overpriced crap when you can watch it from the comfort of home with perhaps some mates?

    How is the "movie theatre" better?

    Cinema isnt dead, it's alive and well. Better than even in fact. It simply moved out of a theatre and into the home.
  • by waspleg ( 316038 ) on Thursday March 23, 2017 @10:23AM (#54095533) Journal

    Most people are posting the same 2 view points (with the 3rd probably being simply the experience sucks because reasons):

    1.) Home theater systems are so much better now, mine is amazing and/or there are amazing ones available.

    2.) People, especially in the 18-24 yo age group, are fucking poor and can't afford to go to the movies (most of these are ignoring the obvious, that they can't afford the home theater system either).

    I'm not in either of those 2 categories (more like the 3rd, without the money or inclination for a huge home theater, apartment dweller and not rich with a deep loathing of crowds), but this seems like a poll worthy topic (no I didn't check to see if it already exists) with "Cowboy Neal is my projectionist" as a 4th?

    • by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

      The 4th thing is that The Pirate Bay provides a much better experience than the cinema or Bluray, costs nothing and people don't mind waiting for that.

    • Most people are posting the same 2 view points (with the 3rd probably being simply the experience sucks because reasons):

      1.) Home theater systems are so much better now, mine is amazing and/or there are amazing ones available.

      2.) People, especially in the 18-24 yo age group, are fucking poor and can't afford to go to the movies (most of these are ignoring the obvious, that they can't afford the home theater system either).

      I'm not in either of those 2 categories (more like the 3rd, without the money or inclination for a huge home theater, apartment dweller and not rich with a deep loathing of crowds), but this seems like a poll worthy topic (no I didn't check to see if it already exists) with "Cowboy Neal is my projectionist" as a 4th?

      I'm #3. I don't have a "home theater", nor do I really want one. I was "fucking poor" when I was 18-24, at least in the low part of that range, but I went to the movie a lot more than I do now when I'm not "fucking poor".

  • I need money (Score:4, Interesting)

    by Opportunist ( 166417 ) on Thursday March 23, 2017 @10:30AM (#54095613)

    To paraphrase a German comedian, I need money, not an occupation. I can keep myself busy just fine, don't worry about that.

    Working is the necessary evil to get money. Just as much as the employee is the necessary evil to profit (as is the customer, by the way). Stop dancing around the subject and celebrate the "always working" idiot.

    Working is the necessary evil, not the goal.

    • by waspleg ( 316038 )

      I completely agree but I wager that America will be dead last to figure this out. I live in a midwestern red state where suffering is considered a virtue; especially if it's for work/family.

      If you suggest that people ought not have to work, especially for basic survival needs, you're an evil communist/socialist/terrorist/unfavorable-ist-of-the-week.

      No one (in American anyway) seems to notice the slavery to their incomes. I saw somewhere, I forget where, someone (probably foreign) pointed out the contradicti

  • I'm well outside the 18 to 24 demographic myself, so I may not be best placed to comment on this, but I'm not really sure how many of today's big movie releases are really targeted at that demographic.

    Increasingly releases seem to be split into three categories:

    1) Very Important Movies About Very Important Things (TM), also known as Oscar-bait, which is usually targeted at the middle-aged-and-older demographic.

    2) Millennial/Gen-X nostalgia-fests based on comic-book franchises or reboots of old movies and th

    • And 2 is about 90% of all movies. It's too much of a risk to finance original ideas. Let's remake a 20-year old movie that was only sort of good or put that established board game, video game, comic book brand on the big screen. And even for the kids' movies, more than three-quarters are a sequel or remake.

      Oddly, science fiction has had a good number of original titles lately that aren't terrible - even with the mainstream audiences.

  • When my daughter was about three years old she would use an "educational" Reader Rabbit kind of software. If she spells the three letter word correctly, a line drawing would animate and make sound. B E E, zzzzz ! She would squeal with delight and repeatedly spell B E E.

    She would also watch Disney cartoon animations, she liked them and enjoyed them too. But somehow the simple black and white line drawing animation produced as much delight in her as did the rich colors and fast moving animations of the Lion

  • If Netflix, Amazon, HBO, et. al. can continue to churn out good-quality productions at a decent rate there's not much need to go see a movie theater anymore. For $10/month you get hundreds of hours of entertainment, vs two hours for $50.
  • I blame the low-brow entirely formulaic dross that Hollywood continues to churn out.

    Then need to take their CGI budget and instead spend it on script writers that are capable of original, intelligent thought.

  • Hitting the Big Screen

    I don't know about you squares, but I'm always asking my best pals if they want to hit the big screen at le weekend.

  • It's an old saying that a producer's IQ was equal to his belt size. It's also an old, old aphorism that to get the IQ of a committee, you add up their belts, and divide by the number of them.

    Year before last, we went to see Interstellar, in IMAX. TWENTY FREAKING DOLLARS each for the three of us. And popcorn and drinks? Another $15 or more. To go to a bloody movie.

    Hell, half the population can't afford that. And it's the refreshments that pay the staff. Back in the day, the studios owned theaters, and paid t


  • IMO, anyway.
  • I have no idea what is in theaters right now because I haven't watched a commercial for years. Like many other young people, I get my media from Netflix, Amazon, and/or Youtube.

    Hollywood movies have lost their luster. Everything feels so stale, played-out, and formulaic. Hardly anyone is taking any creative chances with their stories (probably because it costs $100MM to make a Hollywood movie, so you damn well better check all the boxes).

    I haven't seen a good movie in the theaters for years, and the enjoyme

  • They are hitting the small screen and also the bong.
    In the cinema, the latter can get expensive with sweets sold at their worth in gold.

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