Will Theatrical Releases Be A Lost Art?
- Caitlyn
- Dec 23, 2025
- 4 min read
Netflix delivered the final blow of 2025 by announcing its acquisition of Warner Bros. Are we losing the magic of theatrical releases? Caitlyn, our Film and TV writer, examines why cinema trips are fading in the age of ‘Netflix and chill'.
I remember the sweet smell of caramel popcorn in the air. The dimmed yellow lights. The gentle hum of whispers across the hall. As a kid, nothing ever beat Sunday movie nights. And even after all these years, this fact still stands true to its word. Going to the theatres has been an euphoric experience for many: it is the place where the young and old get inspired by great stories, laugh at brilliantly written comedies, and sob at heartbreaking dramas. There’s something uniquely captivating about watching a film on the big screen, fully immersed in worlds that can only exist beyond our dreams and imaginations.
With that being said, in the year 2025, I can’t help but notice a gradual decline in theatre numbers. There’s been less “You wanna go to the movies with me?” and more “Let’s stay in and watch Netflix”. Fundamentally, the rise in digital streaming services makes watching films at home more convenient than a late-night drive to the theatre. Streaming platforms have undeniably altered the landscape of film and television, and some argue that this shift is slowly eradicating the art of traditional cinema.
The Box Office Bombs
During the pandemic, cinemas were forced to shut down, prompting studios to introduce their streaming services to survive this ordeal. While we were basking in the massive range of films and television shows brought into our comfortable living rooms, the Hollywood box office bombed release after release. Ever since then, theatres never seemed to get back on their footing, with few openings matching pre-pandemic ticket sales.
The contrast is especially clear with brands like Disney, Marvel, and Pixar, where subscribers know exactly which platform their productions will end up on: Disney+. So theatrical releases from these studios are hit the hardest. Take Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: it only managed to gross $859 million worldwide, far below the 2018 Black Panther film’s $1.347 billion. The convenience and affordability of streaming are simply too attractive for viewers to opt for at-home entertainment.
For Younger Generations
As most of us know, children and youths are increasingly becoming ‘iPad kids’ in today’s tech-driven world. Netflix is only a tap away, busy parents often skip the cinema to save time and money. After all, Disney movies on repeat will certainly keep most kids quiet and entertained for two whole hours. To add, the constant reliance on convenient technology has also led to an increase in overall screentime, especially with short-form content. With that, children nowadays are simply not watching movies anymore. Why watch movies when you can scroll on TikTok… right?
As a result, there comes a growing fear that the youth may fail to acknowledge the art of cinema as a whole. Another movie will just be another movie. Individuals are less likely to be mesmerised by the cinematography, carefully composed shots, and the backdrops, which can only be truly emphasised on the big screens.
Moreover, going to the theatres is an experience that turns into memories. The time spent in a chilly hall, sitting on your parents’ laps, will become a form of nostalgia as a child grows up. Without this, the younger generation misses out on these treasured moments, their memories reduced to the glare of the iPad or phone screen while mindlessly munching on a bowl of chips.
The Beauty of Cinemas
The death of cinemas would be a punch to the gut. For decades, they have been spaces for artists to showcase their craft and everyday individuals to escape from the real world together. Although streaming platforms have made themselves rather useful in this industry, they shouldn’t be seen as replacements for traditional theatres. Especially for the young, experiencing cinema in a theatre can spark a lasting appreciation for film, and sharing that collective movie energy is, as mentioned before, always a win.
Watching movies in your air-conditioned bedroom with all the lights turned off simply doesn’t resemble the immersive, romantic and captivating experience of watching a film in a theatre. The grand IMAX screens, state-of-the-art sound systems, and comfortable seats are unrivaled in providing a gripping cinematic experience during an irreplaceable two hours of your life.
Beyond the ambience, cinemas carry a collective energy - the laughter, gasps, and applause add an extra layer of excitement and interest to the feature being watched. That’s the beauty of shared moments. There’s just so much delight in planning the date, dressing up, hopping into your car, meeting your friends outside the hall, and finally walking arm-in-arm with the tickets in your hands. When the movie starts, you secretly glance at each other when a relatable scene pops up, or you scream together when there’s a jumpscare. After the credits roll, there will probably be an extremely serious (or not) debrief about what you thought about the characters and plot. Rotting in bed with a laptop on your lap, can simply never compare.
Thankfully, theatres are slowly but surely getting back their numbers with extraordinary and worthy films that have been released over the past few years. From F1: The Movie, Superman, to Dune, audiences are drawn to projects filled to the brim with true passion. People still and will appreciate work when it’s deserved.
To end, I’d like to quote Stephen Chbosky, American director and screenwriter of ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ and ‘Wonder’:
“If you are in a movie theater, you can look two people down and they are laughing while you are laughing or you can look three people down and they love that song that you love. It is living proof that you are not alone.”
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