Cinemas Are Here To Stay

Buckle Up! Cinema Attendance Is Set To Explode.

Does it seem like movie theatres are going out of business? Are streaming services, home theatres, and virtual reality entertainment gadgets going to put an end to cinemas, theatres, and cineplexes? Relax people! The multiplex chain is not going anywhere, anytime soon. Which must be a relief for the likes of Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), TGV Cinemas, Lotus Five Star, MBO Cinemas, and more, in Malaysia. That is not to say that cinema or movie theatre attendance has not taken a beating in recent times but let's not hit the panic button just yet.

That was, however, an inescapable consequence of a) cinemas being closed for almost 2 years during a global pandemic, even as other business sectors were allowed to open much sooner, and b) movie distributors withholding big budget releases until the public is ready to reactivate their theatre-going metabolism.

The critical factor is that globally, from Hollywood to Bollywood to Uzumasa, about 45% fewer movies are being released with the flamboyance and glamour to which the masses have become accustomed. Movie theatres are being starved to death. Not by the viewing public. But by movie producers. There just isn’t enough good content and the accompanying hype. Film makers are going to withhold filmmaking and ballyhoo if there are no audiences. Cinema operators need great films and publicity to drive audiences into their theatres. The proverbial chicken and egg situation, yes.

The good news is that the industry is expected to achieve equilibrium very soon. The movie industry is gearing up for a record 2024–2025. The bounce back is going to be glorious. Not just for the viewing public, but for the industry as a whole.

Add to that the natural order of human evolution, and, wallah! cinema attendance is set to explode once again. Humans are social creatures. It’s how God intended us to be. We crave connection. “Falling in love” and “family is the most important thing in your life” are simply euphemisms for one facet of that craving. And movie theatres? They offer a unique space for precisely that.

Movie theatres offer humans another facet of connection in addition to romantic and family connections. It offers us the opportunity to connect with one another, even complete strangers. Cinemas provide a space where we can share our thoughts, sentiments, sympathies, and emotions with others who are experiencing the same thing at the same time. Bonding over a story is a precious and powerful experience. That sense of belonging and community is essential for our overall well-being. Cinemas are a zone where we can disconnect from the reality of our own lives and, more importantly, our devices and the digital world, even if it is for just a couple of hours.

And the good news doesn't end there. Experts believe that the act of leaving your house to seek out a movie will still be very much a thing in 2032 and beyond. But the continued success of movie theatres should not be taken for granted. Cinema operators, too, have a responsibility for their own success. They need to evolve and invest in innovative ideas to meet the changing needs and expectations of audiences.