It’s showtime! About half of the movie theaters in the U.S. have reopened. But things have changed. After most theaters shut down last year, some studios released movies straight to streaming. So people have spent months watching films like Soul from home. Does that mean theaters should be a thing of the past?
Some people say yes because they’re saving a lot of money. For example, a monthly subscription to Netflix costs less than $20 and offers multiple movies. A single movie ticket in a big city can cost as much as $20. Plus, many people prefer home-viewing so they don’t have to deal with rude people kicking their seats.
But others argue that after being stuck at home, people need theaters more than ever. They also point out that box office sales in the U.S. dropped more than 80 percent in 2020. If this continues, it could affect the U.S. economy, or how money is made and spent.