This year it has become more apparent than ever that movie theaters may soon cease to exist. With the theaters having been closed for over six months, it has been made clear that the movies may not survive this pandemic.

Some theaters have gradually started opening but not many people would be willing to be confined in a room with a bunch of strangers for three hours. 

Outside of this earth-shattering pandemic, there has been a decline in movie theater goers throughout the years. Many people find that waiting for the movie to go to cable, stores or streaming platforms is a better, and most times cheaper, alternative to going to a movie theater. 

Yearly attendance of movie theaters has decreased year after year because of this new change in movie watching. According to The Hollywood Reporter, 46% of consumers in America went to the theater at most once in 2019. In 2015, however, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 70% of American consumers went to the theater.

Of course some movies, such as Marvel and Star Wars, will always make people flock to the theaters, but most people do not go back to the theaters until the next big blockbuster, which could take years to come out.

The easy access to new moves via streaming services is not the only reason for a decline in movie goers. It is no surprise that people often sneak in their own candy to the theaters as the theater concessions tend to be sorely overpriced. A small popcorn bucket could cost as much as $7 while a box of multiple popcorn bags from the grocery store cost around $5. 

Not only are the concessions expensive, but the movie tickets themselves are as well. Movie tickets average around $13 per person. That means a couple of friends are going to spend nearly $30 on the tickets alone, not including snacks and drinks.

From easier access to movies straight from your house to overpriced food and drink, there is no reason to go to the movie theaters unless you have an attachment to them. Some people find it nostalgic to go to the movies, while others find it wasteful nowadays.