In a world where streaming services keep growing. Many people have feelings about going back to the theaters. In 2025 it was reported that the domestic box office was about $8.7 billion, where the U.S video streaming services made about $97.8 billion dollars. A huge difference, many people have different reasons. “It’s because of Covid.” Jovian Rodriguez and Whittier native recalls. “It’s because people were in lockdown and all you had was just Netflix! Netflix!”
When asked about why people don’t go to theaters much, the same answers come up. “Streaming is just easier.” Daniel Melendez, a Santa Fe resident said. “If a person knows a movie is coming to the streaming service, they are going to wait.” Daniel pointed to the price it is for an average movie in California is around $19.66 for one person. “Any person would just either wait than burn gas, pay for food. The whole point of streaming was created for comfort, and it is easy to consume.”
Many people still believe that movie theaters are still important for movies. “I feel like not seeing a movie theater first is weird.” Daniel said. “To me it’s like I think when you see a movie it’s a big, huge event. Many directors create these crazy formats like Imax to make seeing the picture big, you won’t get the big vibes from your small phone but from a huge screen.” There are reports of an increase of Imax theaters up to 1,796 theaters in the country. The demand for more Imax has been high since movies like Oppenheimer and Top Gun: Maverick. Movie theaters are still being built throughout the country as the years go by. Streaming numbers are still high, but the box official numbers are still consistent as the years go by.
Jovian Rodriguez gives another example. “I feel like you should bring your kids to the theater.” From reports and studies approximately 60 million kids a year go to the theaters. “It is something good for them. It gets their imagination running and that’s something needed. I believe creating a big epic experience would inspire kids, not just like being an actor or film maker but like a doctor, and hero. Movies can help a kid find their job and I think that’s amazing.” To many people saw theaters is over, but to people like Jovian and Daniel that think theater is going to be here to stay for years.
