Will Netflix & Disney+ Subscriptions Be the End of Cinemas?
Streaming platforms are no longer an added luxury —they’ve become a cultural necessity for the majority.
Recent headlines indicate that the next chapter in the history of Hollywood is about to be written.
‘Mulan’ to skip theaters and premiere on Disney+.
Set to be released on September 4, this strategic move surprised many, as it was the first time such a huge movie title was released on a platform other than the cinema. But there indeed has been a rise in this new subscription-based platform spearheaded by two companies, NetFlix and Disney+.
According to Statista, there has been more than a two-fold growth of Netflix users since the 70.8 million in 2015 as compared to a whopping 167.1 million in 2019. The Verge also recently reported that Disney+ gained 10 million subscribers within one day of its launch.
It is evident that the existence of these streaming platforms is no longer just an added luxury attained from monthly payments, but it has also become a cultural necessity to the majority—particularly in light of the pandemic.
Releasing the latest titles was a job that initially only theatres could do, but ever since the introduction of such subscriptions, the possibility of doing so on streaming platforms is starting to chip this championing factor away. As such, in an age where many of us have probably asked ourselves, “Why should I watch it in theatres when I can watch it online?” they have also become main players in an ongoing battle against the significance and relevance of movie theatres.
In a situation pitting these two movie-watching mediums against each other, will the development and increasing popularity of these viewing subscriptions be the final nail in the coffin for cinema?
How they compare on affordability
The cost of a movie ticket in cinemas has always been one that veers toward a pricier side. The standard price for a normal watch falls within the range of 9 USD — 10 USD, while special cinematic experiences like 3D or premium seats can go up to double or even triple the sum.
On the other hand, where payment is commonly done through monthly charges, streaming platforms are a lot more affordable when it comes to watching movies. Take the popular company, Netflix, for example. With just an average of 11 USD every month, you would be able to enjoy hundreds of movies and TV show titles anywhere you are.
With that in mind, streaming platforms mostly only release titles that have already been shown on bigger theatre or television screens, or original ones that were produced by their own production company — that is, if they have one. As a result, when they actually premiere third-party productions, an additional fee is commonly charged on top of their subscription payments.
For example, while Mulan (2020) is released on the streaming platform Disney+, an extra USD 30 is required to actually access the title, though with the benefits of an unlimited watch count. It is the first time such a big movie title is being premiered on the platform which opens a world of possibilities for what is to come for the traditional cinema scene.
Cinema still triumphs on technical quality
Unless you are one of the lucky few who has a fully equipped theatre room at home, I believe I can safely say that cinemas provide much better technical conditions for any movie-watching experience.
After all, these are establishments with a built-in surrounding sound system for you to fully immerse in any action sound effects or grand soundtrack composition, nearly 60 by 30-feet-wide screens to watch and marvel at all your anticipated stories coming to life, and a completely dark room to enjoy all these technological specifications. There is no question that cinemas are built for the movies.
Designed to be on-the-go and for convenience, streaming channels embodies one main purpose: to watch at any place, any time. As such, technical qualities really do vary based on the screen the movie is watched from, whether it is from your television on an off-day or your phone screen on the way to work. With that said, such accessibility also runs the risk for the various possibilities of lesser ideal conditions and distractions when enjoying what you watch. I mean, you can’t control the noise outside your house no matter how high definition your screen is.
Increased accessibility
Cinemas have become a staple establishment to every neighborhood, one that is easy to locate even when it is not a walking distance from your house. However, where it has convenience, it might not have instant access.
Movies are only shown at specific timings, traveling time is a factor to be considered, and some titles are only released at selected cinemas. Ultimately, the accessibility of cinemas is definitely an improved and inclusive one, but it is still a traditional mode of enjoyment that requires more than just the click of a button.
Video-on-demand, flexible for all screens, instant gratification. Need I say more? The accessibility of streaming platform services is an undebatable win, as long as you have access to the Internet. Hundreds of movies are under your fingertips, with most of them able to be downloaded for offline viewing, anytime and anywhere you would prefer. Though, that is if they have those titles in the first place.
Choosing what to watch
The cinema is traditionally home to the latest movie releases. While age restrictions, censorship, and the film selection vary by country and individual cinema, you would most likely be able to find more than one recent release.
Streaming platforms, at least for now, tell a different story. Much more similar to limited-time re-runs—except with unlimited viewing—they are more like an archive rather than a medium for first launches.
However, at the same time, it has become a common sight for these platforms to start producing an increasing amount of originals, with some even reaching prestigious award stages.
With critically acclaimed films like Roma and Marriage Story, it is evident that the currently limited selection is not where these paid subscriptions are going to be stopping at.
Who’s in the audience?
Cinemas is not only a way for movies to earn their bucks from one singular screen, but it also takes on the role of bringing different groups of people together to enjoy one similar art form.
“After all, what makes movies a mass art is that they are made on a mass scale for a mass audience”,
— Manohla Dargis, New York Times
It is the gathered laughter when watching the food poisoning scene in Bridesmaids. It is the gasps and soft shrieks during every jump-scare in It. It is the suspenseful silence with the light speed moment in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. It is even the long queues and packed theatres at every new Marvel movie release.
If art has a way of letting strangers find common ground, cinemas are one of the greatest places to make that happen.
Streaming channels, obviously, cater to private viewing sessions. Where the audiences consist of various individuals in one singular darkroom in cinemas, the only people who sit before the screen is you, and whoever you have invited.
As a result, what you get from such ways of enjoying movies is a controlled audience, and in turn a controlled ambiance. Sure, it might not be as fun as having that shared moment of emotions among a bunch of strangers, but at least you don’t have to tolerate the loud chewers or fear the possibilities of any crying babies.
An unmatched physical experience
If there is one thing that always stands out when talking about the differences between online and real life, it is the physical experience. The impromptu theatre visits, the planned movie dates, the anticipated film releases; ask someone for a memorable cinema experience and they most likely have a story to tell.
The cinematic experience is not just the duration that you sit in front of a big screen for a movie, but also a time where the only things that matter are what happens in this dark space and the story about to unfold. The cinema crafts an experience that cannot be replicated, as Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren puts it best
“There’s nothing like sitting in the cinema as the lights go down.”
The streaming channel platforms provide their users with an experience of their own as well. With their prioritized functions to be as comfortable as they are personalized on our end, the titles selected to the mood created are fully dependent on us, and us only.
A fun adventure is best watched with the right company, so invite a few friends or family over. Or is it a touching story that you are hoping to enjoy with no distractions, then get comfortable on your couch and enjoy your movie in solace.
Where cinemas come with surprise and unpredictable situational moments, streaming platforms offer familiarity and experience that only you can craft for yourself.
Closing the curtain
So, is the cinema really going to become obsolete?
Not anytime soon. As much as online viewing and streaming platforms have gradually won over more crowds with their ease-of-use and on-demand access, cinemas offer a form of human experience that only its surrounding sound and wide screens can provide.
After all, even with the rising numbers of streaming platform users, a 2019 NRG Deadline study recorded 61% of who were surveyed would still prefer seeing their movies in a theatre.
The anticipation as the lights go down and unspoken company in these dark shared rooms remains a factor only cinemas can have. That experience is something that can never be taken away and will be around for a while.
My name is James, I am a Content Creator, Professional Food Photographer, and Entrepreneur passionate about sharing tips and tricks within media topics.
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