There is an interesting post on Cinematech about the impact of the Netflix queue on theater attendance.
Try going to Netflix today, and looking up the Pixar movie `Ratatouille,' he suggested. You'll have the option of adding it to your Netflix queue, even though the movie won't be released until June 2007. What is the impact on theaters? As Gary sees it, you can decide that you want to watch a movie on DVD before it has even reached the theaters. Doesn't that naturally reduce the urgency you'll feel to try to get out and see a movie during its theatrical run?
Does the ability to add a movie to your queue impact your decision to see it at the theater?
a lot of movies don't seem to make it around to my market - or if they do, they're around for barely a weekend. so if I stumble across a trailer online and like it, I'll put it on my queue.
Posted by: corey3rd | November 27, 2006 at 04:30 PM
Yes, it sure makes me less worried about missing a movie in the theatre, if I know that Netflix will remind me to rent it.
Posted by: Becky | November 27, 2006 at 04:47 PM
It does not impact my decision at all. I very very seldom go to a movie theater to watch a movie (MAYBE 1 time a year). There are certain movies in my opinion that you just have to see in a theater (Star Wars for an example) but outside of those rare movies I cannot justify $10 for a ticket and another $6-10 for food and drink for an hour and a half of entertainment with others talking around you, etc. I have a decent television and surround sound system at home...I can wait.
I enjoy being able to save to my Queue because I can add a movie when I see a trailer I'm interested in and not have to worry about forgetting about it when it comes out on DVD.
Posted by: IowaHawksFan1 | November 27, 2006 at 06:38 PM
It does not impact my decision at all. I very very seldom go to a movie theater to watch a movie (MAYBE 1 time a year). There are certain movies in my opinion that you just have to see in a theater (Star Wars for an example) but outside of those rare movies I cannot justify $10 for a ticket and another $6-10 for food and drink for an hour and a half of entertainment with others talking around you, etc. I have a decent television and surround sound system at home...I can wait.
I enjoy being able to save to my Queue because I can add a movie when I see a trailer I'm interested in and not have to worry about forgetting about it when it comes out on DVD.
Posted by: IowaHawksFan1 | November 27, 2006 at 06:38 PM
Yep, I just added Casino Royale to my queue based on recommendation from my son.
With 60,000 movies already out I just don't get impatient enough over any new release to make the trek to a theatre. And my HD setup provides an excellent viewing experience, without sticky floors and cellphone interruptions.
Posted by: Hunter McDaniel | November 27, 2006 at 07:17 PM
"Does the ability to add a movie to your queue impact your decision to see it at the theater?"
Not at all. If it's something I really want to see, I'll go see it. However, I find that there is less and less playing that I want to see. It's annoying that just about every movie theater is showing the same 12 movies. If you want to see something out of the ordinary and don't live in a major city, you have to do some traveling.
I SAVE movies that I'm afraid I may forget about later, when they're on DVD. Usually foreign films and documentaries.
Posted by: Scribe1964 | November 27, 2006 at 10:04 PM
Doesn't impact my decision at all since I haven't been to a movie theater voluntarily in years. Only time I go is when I'm taking my young grandkids - It's an adventure to them, however, I'd just as soon rent a DVD.
Posted by: CJ | November 27, 2006 at 11:25 PM
I prefer DVDs to the theater. Nowadays, I will only go to the theater when it's an IMAX presentation with a comic movie like Superman Returns, Batman Begins, Spiderman 2. Otherwise, I can wait a few months for it to come to DVD.
I do like the option of putting it in your queue automatically. I did this for the James Bond movie, as well as that Jack Black movie. Great feature!
Posted by: Lamarr Wilson | November 28, 2006 at 12:11 AM
we went to see Casino Royale in the theater. And while it played great on the big screen, the entire time we were hearig the disco beat coming from "Happy Feet" next door. At least when we run DVDs, we don't have to worry about noise leaks.
During the summer, we only go see films at the local Drive-In to not have to worry about leaks - plus the place has the best hamburgers around.
Posted by: corey3rd | November 28, 2006 at 12:39 PM
Not really - if I save something on my Q, it's normally b/c I'm not going to see it in theaters anyway. Conversely, if I want to see something at the theaters (i.e., Babel), I won't save it on my Q.
Posted by: thecheshirecat | November 28, 2006 at 02:50 PM
"At least when we run DVDs, we don't have to worry about noise leaks."
You should find a better theater. I've never had any noise leaks at any theater I've ever been to. I don't go to the theaters cuz they are expensive, crowded, long lines, annoying jerks, crying brats, overpriced crappy food, stupid previews, and overly loud. I'd rather not suffer hearing loss, thank you.
Posted by: type-cast | November 28, 2006 at 03:28 PM