Is reviving communal cinema rituals key to theaters' survival?
I've been thinking about how movie theaters are struggling to bring audiences back after the pandemic, and I wonder if the real problem isn't streaming but the lack of social rituals around cinema. My local indie theater started offering themed nights with discussions afterward, and attendance doubled on those evenings. Could reviving communal viewing experiences—not just bigger screens or better snacks—be the key to making theaters viable again?