Do you prefer watching movies at home, or in theaters?

United States
January 12, 2009 9:22am CST
We live in the middle of nowhere, so the closest movie theater to us is about 45 minutes away if there's no traffic or bad weather. Then, when we get there, the lines are usually out the door because we're not the only ones who have to travel just to see a movie in a theater. In addition to all of that, the prices are just way too high for tickets, food, and drinks. To top everything off, the theaters are usually packed and there are always at least ten or fifteen people who have to be ushered out because they are disrupting the show. All in all, that spells a bad experience for us. If you haven't guessed, we prefer watching movies at home. Do you prefer watching movies at home or in theaters? Is your answer based on experiences, preferences, or both?
6 people like this
43 responses
@Tinna_He (300)
• China
13 Jan 09
we will choose watching movies in theaters,such as disaster film,action movie.Many times ,we can watching movies at home.it will be freedom.you can eat something and not affect others.If you have whim,you can go to theaters to relax.
1 person likes this
@laedyan (189)
• Philippines
13 Jan 09
watching a movie in theaters is better than at home because there are no disturbance and you can share the laughters with others especially when you are watching comedy. Its just that its expensive so even if i wanted to, i just can't. Instead, i just wait for the dvd copy and watch it at home. But if given the luxury/chance then theater is my best option to go. Anyway, i didn't have an experience wherein i was distracted from watching in theaters. The reason is that i like having many people with me and i don't care that much if they laugh out loud.
1 person likes this
@jsitko (1169)
• United States
14 Jan 09
I enjoy the comforts of my own home to watch most of the movies. Sometimes I will get us drinks and make popcorn and maybe have some other snacks too. I like to cuddle on the couch and watch a good movie with my hubbie. However, I do like to go out to the movies every once in a while too. Sometimes my husband will take me out on a date for dinner and a movie. We try to have date nights every so often so we don't forget why we got married.
@sweetyethot (1737)
• China
14 Jan 09
I live in the country, and the cinema in downtown is about 30 mins by bus. The price is ok for me, but I dont like to go there alone.Besides, I think its more convenient to watch movies at home.If I have companions and the movie is what i like, I would prefer to go to the cinema.
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
14 Jan 09
At home. I usually watch them at home. I wait till they come out on video and see them usually on Mondays, because they are free for me on Mondays at the local Redbox inside of the nearby Wal-mart we have down the street from our town home. The main reasons why I like to watch them at home are: 1. I don't have to be quiet, can be as loud as I want to. 2. I can eat whatever I want while watching them. 3. I can watch subtitles with the film 4. I can rewind fast forward 5. I can fall asleep and not miss any money, just rewind the DVD from the last spot I remember.
@chriswolf (360)
• China
13 Jan 09
In my opinion, this really depends. I would rather watch films at home if I am in your shoes. While, on the other hand, I prefer to watch films in the theater, if only the circumstances are good, or films need good sound and visual effects, or when with my girlfriend. Going to the theater is somehow a kind of life style in big cities. Therefore, do enjoy it as long as you can.
1 person likes this
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
13 Jan 09
I prefer to wathc movies at the comfort of my home. I often watch them on my computer but sometimes I do go at the cinema theare if there is a good movie to follow. I think that a movie loses a lot of special effects when the movie is watched on a small screen such as a televsion or a computer. (c) ronaldinu 2009 - the more people I meet-the more I love my dog
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
13 Jan 09
My closest cinema is 10 miles away,a 7 screen theatre...Certain movies do need to be seen on the big screen,in my opinion..I pick and choose which movies I'd like to see there..with my work schedule,I'd work a lot of evenings and weekends,so I'd not get to see as many as I might like to..I started collecting DVD's with special editions and director's cuts of movies I'd enjoyed,but recently,making a choice between going to the Cinema to see a Movie I was Iffy about for the evening,or buying a budget priced DVD of a Movie I'd missed and would have wanted to see,(costing maybe half the price of a ticket and snacks!)I'd go home with the DVD!
@goat6boy (314)
• United States
13 Jan 09
i used to think seeing movies at the theater was amazing like i was going to a theme park or something but latley yes its cool but the dream of it kind of goes away and watching a dvd is a better quality picture usually but since ive gone to the imax theaters those are amazing alittle more expencive but well worth it
@mflower2053 (3223)
• United States
13 Jan 09
Its nice to stay home and watch a movie and alot cheaper also to just buy it on DVD. It was nice the other day when I went with a bunch of girls to watch the movie twilight. I haven't been away from the kids on my own in a while and it was nice to not have to worry about anyone but myself for 2 hours and just enjoy the movie. I didn't realize that it now cost $10 a person for the show and if you buy a movie from walmart the week its realeased then its only $15 with the price of popcorn and a drink at the show you end up saving a bit and get to watch the movie again.
• United States
13 Jan 09
Both. I like watching a movie at home because if I have to pause it, which I don't like to do, I can. At the movie theater I can shoo away a child who wants something. If we do go to the movies at a theater its usually G rated, at home I can have more discretion. We like the $1.00 theater, if the movie stinks I'm out out for the popcorn and drinks.
@my125125 (818)
• Malaysia
14 Jan 09
Hi Explorations, When I'm young and dating with my girlfriend (now my wife), I like to go to theater and eating with snack and drinking. But now I prefer stay at home watching my movies, download from internet. Sometimes just lazy to go out and the price of ticket also high.
• United States
14 Jan 09
We do not go to the theatres much, maybe a couple of times a year. Watching movies at home is nice as you can do it on your schedule, pause if really needed, eat what you like, not wear clothes if you choose, and the people who may cause a disturbance are people in your home that you should know, and have the power to make leave, if chose to excercise.
@afdinki (83)
• United States
13 Jan 09
I prefer to watch movies in theaters. Sometimes you just want to get out and see things up live and you want the whole theatrical experience: the popcorn, the food, the man with the big head blocking your view, the standing in line waiting to buy your tickets and hoping that you get yours, or the feeling of disappointment as the ticket seller shuts his/her windows at the very moment that you step forward and places a big sign in front of it reading, "Sold Out". I love the atmosphere of the movie theater; you can't beat it.
@suruchi86 (1873)
• India
13 Jan 09
I always prefer to watch movies in the comfort of my home, which saves money as well as time also. It gives you complete flexibility and control over the content you are watching.
@mikeysmom (2088)
• United States
13 Jan 09
i am very much a homebody and always have been so i much prefer doing things in the comfort of my own home. i am really not that social and i do not have the need to be out and about around alot of people. i have always had the ability to be alone without feeling lonely and to keep myself occupied and busy. we tend to watch many more movies at home over the summer months because we go to the local library and we get dvd's for no charge and you can keep them for two days. in this economy it sure beats going to blockbuster.
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
13 Jan 09
Definitely watching them at home! Going to theaters is way too expensive! The last time I went to one, there were four of us, it was a matinee, and it still cost us over $60.00!!! Nope, I'll wait for it to come on cable, Movies on Demand, or as a DVD before I'll watch any movie.
@madhu_yl (116)
• India
13 Jan 09
I don't like to watch movies in theaters,because that climate is not good.so i prefer to watch movies in home and i like to see movies with my family.
• Philippines
13 Jan 09
I like watching in theaters, with all the big-time sound system and giant screen. It's especially wonderful if I watch action and sci-fi movies in theaters, I can enjoy every explosion and special effect the movies offer. However, being in a country where movie piracy is way beyond control, I've grown fond of watching movies at home (please don't tell heehee). The picture is quality is more or less the same, and I can get to enjoy more comforts than I can in theaters. One thing is that I can get bathroom breaks whenever I can because I can always pause and play. I don't have to follow movie schedules, I don't have to dress up to go to movie houses, and the biggest treat - there are no annoying "commentators" that tell their friends what's gonna happen next without bothering to tone down their voices. If you're going to watch as a family, it's also much cheaper. Your menu is not confined to cheese- or butter-flavored popcorns, potato chips, and candies. Heck, you can even eat lunch while watching the movie. There are countless other reasons, and honestly, I think advantages of watching movies at home outweighs movie-watching in theaters. Hope this helps ^_^
• United States
13 Jan 09
it really doesnt matter to me but for the past couple of times i have fallen asleep at the movies