Are we witnessing the death of cinema?

With tickets sales still below pre-Covid levels, home streaming in the ascendancy, and the cost of living crisis biting hard, have we fallen out of love with the silver screen?

The UK cinema industry has been in a bleak place since Covid-19 shut down the country in 2020.

Box office sales plummeted to £43.98m, down from the £176.05m the year before. With lockdowns keeping people at home, streaming platforms soared in popularity and have sent cinema admissions into a downward spiral; a shocking decline of 70.7%. With the UK now in its worst-ever cost of living crisis, this could be the final nail in the coffin for cinema.

Everyone has special memories of ‘going to the pictures’. The scratchy red seats with the arm in the middle separating you and your date, making that first kiss as awkward as magical; the squeak of your trainers on the sticky floors; the constant sssshh and apologies of a mother at the end of her tether midway through the summer holidays; the cinema brings a nostalgia as sweet as the popcorn.

I sat down with my dad who fondly recalled the first ever film he saw at the cinema.

“I was about five or six and I saw Snow White. That was also the first Disney film I had ever seen so that was special. I think there has been less films made over the last few years which probably means there are fewer good films on at the cinema.”

As we were locked up during the pandemic, we saw filming for anticipated productions cease. This led to a shift in the relationship between film studios and cinemas. Just like us, studios turned to streaming during and after the pandemic, to release the latest productions.

The highly anticipated Jackass Forever was released on Paramount streaming service just 45 days after cinema release. Succeeding this fast release of cinema to streaming was Matilda the Musical which was shown on Netflix 25 December 2022 just two weeks after showing in cinemas.

It has now become an expectancy of streaming services to show films when released, if not soon after. If you have the option of waiting two weeks to watch the film from the comfort of your duvet or spending £20 of your month’s earnings on a trip to the cinema, which would you choose?

Josh, 29, pays monthly for Netflix and Amazon Prime and frequents his local pub over the cinema on the high street.

“I like films, but I can spend less money by just staying home and watching Netflix”

He told me: “The biggest impact is cost of living; people have to choose between doing different activities as you can’t afford to do everything, and you cut corners where you can.

“Streaming is part of most households now, and you can see recently-released films on numerous platforms for a small percentage of what you would pay at the cinema. Coupled with the need to stay in and spend less, it is definitely having an impact.”

At 24 years old, Finn from Hertfordshire is conscious of money as he is trying to save up and move out. “I think if the cinema was cheaper then myself and other like-minded people would go more. I like films but I can spend less money by just staying home and watching Netflix.”

So, it seems to be the price that is off putting rather than the experience of the cinema.

“I do enjoy going; my girlfriend and I go every two months probably. It can be a cheap date if you bring your own snacks,” he laughed.

A large popcorn and soft drink will set you back £10.49 at a Vue cinema, and that’s before you have bought your ticket. Of course, you could forgo these luxuries and pay for just the film tickets.

However arguably food and drink part of the experience of going to the cinema, but should they be a “luxury”?

Independent cinemas don’t think so. With the largest screen in East London, Genesis is an independent cinema with a unique character and unique prices.

You can buy a ticket for just £5, and that’s when there isn’t special offers or events on. Reviews rave of a luxury cinema experience, yet their tickets, food and beverages are a third cheaper than an Everyman cinema.

Tucked away in Homerton is another hidden gem, The Castle, a community-owned independent cinema which first opened in 1913.

In 2020, it became a donation point for unused toiletries in for the community, showing how pivotal cinema and theatre can be to local communities. A stark contrast to the likes of Empire and Vue.

Charlotte, 23, said it is definitely the cost of living crisis in the UK which is putting a block between the population and cinema.

“Its no longer the cheapest option for a date night or something to do with your evening. I only tend to go if there is a really good film on that people have recommended. It’s a shame I have a lot of fond memories of going to the cinema. It used to be me and my friends’ tradition every Christmas Eve when we were younger.”

“It’s very difficult to justify the cost especially if you have a family”

Alison is a single mother of three who agrees that the cost of living has had a massive impact on cinema.

“It’s very difficult to justify the cost especially if you have a family.” she said. “Personally I find the cost of food and ‘treats’ excessive. I always take my own.”

In 1970, a trip for two to the cinema cost less than 90p as opposed to the steep price of an average £9 a ticket today.

My mum too has fond childhood memories of the cinema, yet today’s prices prove to be off putting. “My mum and dad would take us in the school holidays to see a showing of a Disney classic or a new film. I went more frequently once I was a teenager. My friends and I would probably go once a week.

“I don’t go as frequently anymore but I would love to go more, it is just an expensive night out so I would go if it was cheaper. It is worth paying to see a film you really want to see as it is so much better on the big screen.” she said.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom as some cinemas are being put to theatrical use. For the first time ever in Eurovision history, the final was broadcast in cinemas across the UK.  

Nova cinema in Woking was one of the hosts. After its refurbishment in 2019, Nova boasts several screens, gender neutral toilets and a private suite with kitchen facilities. This is not the only UK cinema to receive more than a lick of paint.

Scrolling through local or national news, countless headlines promise a revamp of your local cinema theatre; whispers of premium bars and offerings of a menu that overshadow your standard bucket of popcorn and a large Pepsi; is this the solution to save cinema?

Paul, 55, says he is not fussed about paying for reclining seats and a cocktail to accompany a film.

“The standard experience is already expensive. I guess its difficult as the cinema is not being sold out very often and to keep them running, the industry is having to increase their prices and alter the experience due to costs going up and up.”

Linda, 40 and mother of two, enjoys a trip to her local cinema although she goes less often these days.

“I would visit a luxury cinema as a special treat, but I don’t think it is essential and I am just as happy in a simple setting. All you need is popcorn and chocolate.” she said.

Feature image by Pavel Danilyuk via Pexels.