Senior Matty Hotch had the opportunity to watch the original 1976 Carrie over the summer at the Frida Cinema located in Santa Ana. That’s where she says she discovered the magic of movies.

“It wasn’t perfect, and the quality wasn’t the best either,” Hotch said. “But the experience was easy. Hanging out with other people, bonding with them, and being able to watch something you love on the big screen is amazing.”

Still, she says that she rarely sees teens her age in movie theater audiences anymore

“I would say I definitely don’t see people my age go to the movies as much,” Hotch said. “I see a lot more families and adults.”

And she’s not wrong. As an active moviegoer, I’ve also noticed the decline of teens at the cinemas. Just like Matty, I spent my summer at the movies. Instead of a drive-in theater, however, I went to my local AMC 20 theater located in Fullerton. During my regular visits, I often notice that while the audiences and lines are packed with younger children and adults, there is a lack of teenage friend groups. 

According to market data from The Numbers, movie theater sales throughout all demographics have decreased significantly since the pandemic in 2020. The overall box office revenue fell nearly 24% between the years 2019 and 2024, a decline that shows the industry has not returned to pre-pandemic attendance levels. This decrease can only be attributed to the rise of streaming services like Hulu, Disney+,  and Netflix, and their level of convenience.

Film teacher Brayden Hall, who launched the class this year, carries the responsibility to shape the new generation of movie producers. But with the rise of streaming, he is concerned that this new method of watching clashes against the way filmmakers intended their works to be seen. 

“All of these people come together to make movies, and they have the intention of people watching on the big screen,” Hall said. “They have all of these very expensive pieces of equipment and produce sounds that can’t be fully experienced on a phone.” 

He pointed to his experience watching the 2022 film Oppenheimer as an example of the clear difference between streaming movies and watching them in cinemas.

“The moment the atomic bomb was first being launched, it was completely dead silent– waiting for the explosion,” Hall said. “It was very tense and nerve-racking, and  you wouldn’t get that attitude from a phone at all.”

As someone who also watched Oppenheimer in a 3D screening, I can confirm that the silence before the explosion was vital for the film’s storytelling. The stretch of silence with only stillness made the entire audience feel goosebumps. Moments like these are necessary to be experienced in cinemas, not at home

However, not everyone agrees that the theater is worth it.

Junior Rebekah Gonzales, a student in Hall’s film class, admits that while she likes the atmosphere of movie theaters, streaming wins when it comes to convenience.

“If it’s like a movie that’s been out already and it’s on streaming, then I watch it on the streaming website,” she said. “Movies are accessible now, so there’s not really a need to go to cinemas.”

Yet Marvel movies always manage to draw her back to the theaters. 

“Whenever there’s a new Marvel release, I always head to the movies,” Gonzales said. “The sound effects and visuals are enhanced stronger.”

She said that streaming has made movies more accessible but also less special. 

“It’s good that everyone can watch,” she said, “But now because of how easy it is to watch, people don’t feel that they need to go to the movies anymore.”

Senior Sherlyn Ayala, who also takes Hall’s film class, shared the same sentiment as Gonzales. She said that she only goes to the theaters for the release major movies that she feels are worth the trip.

“I don’t go very often to the theaters to be honest,” Ayala said. “I only go when there are movies that catch my attention like The Conjuring or The Super Mario Bros. Movie.¨

She said that her absence is also partially due to the unpredictability and the chaotic scenery of the cinemas. 

¨ Some people are loud or don’t know how to cooperate, and it kind of ruins it,¨ she said. ¨When I’m at home, I can watch whenever I want, even if it’s late at night and there aren’t any showtimes at the theaters.¨

Ayala says that the prices also play a big role.

“Streaming doesn’t cost as much as going out,” she said. “When you buy a ticket, popcorn, snacks, and a drink, it adds up fast.”

Their words reflect a bigger shift among teens because although movies are still loved, the way they are experienced has completely changed. What once was an eventful trip out with friends now happens quietly, and often alone, behind a screen. Convenience has erased connection. And I understand their frustrations. Even as someone who loves movie theaters, I’ve had my fair share of bad experiences with the loud talkers and overpriced candy. There are nights when turning on Netflix sounds better than going out.

But still, something feels missing when I stream movies. The loud sounds that wrap the auditorium and the shared moments among the audience only happen when you’re surrounded by other people experiencing the same story on a large screen.

Hall believes that these reminiscent moments are disappearing in today’s generation, but it doesn’t necessarily have to if executives focus more on customer demands. 

“Theaters should do student discounts to get more students and young people into theatres,” Hall said. “There has to be a reason for teenagers to come back.”

He’s right. Movie theaters need a way to pull their teen audience back in the numbers that they previously did. For me, I have an AMC Stubs A-List membership, which costs $27.99 a month and lets me watch up to four free movies a week. It comes with perks like being able to make free reservations online, discounts on food items, and rewards for every 5,000 points earned. It’s way cheaper than paying for multiple streaming subscriptions, and the experience that comes with it is more valuable than anything else.

Sure, streaming may win on convenience, but theaters win on connection. Teens need to realize that going to the cinema extends beyond just the movie playing on the screen; there are opportunities to create long-lasting memories with friends.  So even if I could stream every movie I wanted from home, I would still always head to AMC in my free time with my phone off, patiently waiting for the lights to dim and the cinematic experience to finally begin.