The Summer Blockbuster is back, baby!

If you frequent the morning news you’ve likely seen this buzzworthy headline: “Americans aren’t going back to the movie theater.” And hey, I get it. Streaming services are just so convenient! I mean, can I eat a giant pan of nachos in my underwear at the local AMC? I mean, I guess, but I’d have to wait to post this article until after I make bail. But, even with an 80” OLED 4k picture frame TV on the wall, the home viewing experience just can’t compete with the theater experience. Here are a few things we just can’t replicate at home.

Epic Visuals

Theaters in most major and mid-size cities have fully upgraded their projectors, providing stunning picture quality and a truly immersive experience. Laser projection, crystal clear IMAX, and RealD technology give us that “is this real life?” feeling as we settle into our seats for a fantastic ride.

Unreal Sound

If you know me, you know I’m a sucker for Dolby Atmos equipped theaters. The cutting edge three-dimensional sound design is, well, unreal! The first movie I saw in an Atmos theater was Edge of Tomorrow, and I kid you not, I actually flinched and snapped my head back and to the left thinking an explosion had actually happened. Films like Oppenheimer and Top Gun Maverick MUST be seen on a screen partnered with epic, dynamic sound systems.

Full Service Comfort

More and more theaters are offering full food and drink menus to their locations, making a trip to the multiplex a true event. The Alamo Drafthouse across the street from my neighborhood has the best menu around, creating new dishes and cocktails for the most popular movies. Last weekend I devoured the Henry Dog while enjoying Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and I still regret not trying out the Whip At a Gun Fight shake.

AMC offers a similar premium viewing experience at select theaters, offering an even wider selection of cocktails, targeting the “date night” crowd. And let me tell ya - it’s worth it!

Unique Experiences

My first visit to a 4DX theater was in Suzhou, China, and I swear, it felt like a roller coaster. It’s almost like riding the Soarin’ ride at Disney Parks, but for 2 hours. Synchronized motion, fog, smells, and even water effects elevate even the most cookie-cutter action movie to a premium experience. Epic curved IMAX screens show the enormity of Middle Earth, and 3D films draw you right into the action.

A Communal Event

Seeing a movie with a large number of friends, family, fellow fans, and complete strangers makes the entire event SO much better! Who doesn’t love laughing at jokes together, gasping at the shocking twist, and screaming at that jump scare with 200 other people? Seeing a movie with a community of fellow movie lovers is one of my absolute favorite things, and sitting at home on the couch simply can’t compete!

There really isn’t a substitute for the multiplex. Yet, since the pandemic, declining ticket sales have led to fewer releases in 2023. And it makes sense, right? But there are ways to enjoy the latest smash hit while also maintaining social distance and overall comfort with the movie-going experience. So get out there and enjoy for many years to come!