Streaming services have been America’s number one source for television and movies for quite some time now. Netflix started streaming in January of 2007 and ever since then, more and more apps have popped up, easily replacing cable as the go-to place to watch new television shows. 

Before 2020, movie theaters were able to keep up with streaming companies thanks to blockbusters like “Avengers: Endgame,” which grossed $2.8 billion in 2019. But when COVID-19 happened, movie theaters, along with the rest of Hollywood, took a hit.

Even after theaters were allowed to open back up in April 2021, they still struggled to get people in the door when streaming services like Disney Plus and Peacock offer their subscribers access to movies that have yet to leave theaters.

For example, “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” which came out Oct. 27, was immediately put on Peacock where subscribers could watch the movie from their living room. This was also done with the “Cruella” movie in May of 2021 and several others. Why would I pay $15 to watch a movie in theaters when I could lay out on my couch with my reasonably priced snacks?

Another factor that could be playing into the decline of movie theaters is the subtle decline in creativity. I feel like there have been far too many reboots or —god forbid —another “Star Wars” movie in the past few years. Fewer and fewer successes come from original ideas that aren’t reusing the same formula that’s worked for years. 

It will be interesting to see if theaters will be able to keep up with the declining demand for the big screen. I’ve already seen many theaters in the area close down and I fear that if they don’t adjust their marketing strategy, the ones that are still open will follow in their path.

Do you think there is still time to save the big screen?

Hannah Bulgrin is an opinion writer. Contact her at [email protected].