Senior Matty Hotch had the opportunity to watch the original 1976 Carrie in July 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. But instead of a drive-in theater, I went to my local AMC 20 theater located in Fullerton. Oftentimes, at my regular movie visits, I noticed that the audiences and lines would be packed with younger children and adults, but no high school friend groups. And this mystery does not come without explanation.

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 the convenience they have to offer.

Film teacher Brayden Hall, who launched the class this year, carries the big responsibility to shape the new future generation of movie producers and film lovers. But with the rise of streaming, he is concerned that it goes against the traditional way film makers intended their creations 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 distinction 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 wracking 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 no music, no sound, just stillness made everyone in their seats feel goosebumps. I could just see the tension bouncing off everyone in the room. 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.”

Still, Marvel movies always manage to draw her back.

“Whenever there’s a new Marvel release, I always head to the theaters,” Gonzales said. “The sound effects and visuals are enhanced better on the big screen.”

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

“Its 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, shares the same sentiments as Gonzales. She says that she only goes to the theaters for major movies, ones that feels are worth the trip.

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

She pointed out how theaters can sometimes be unpredictable and chaotic.

¨ 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 contribute to her absence at the movie theaters. “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 replaced 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 watch from my laptop. When you’re in a theater, the sound wraps around you; you don’t just see the movie, you’re able to feel it. The shared laughter, gasps, and tense moments only happen when you’re surrounded by other people experiencing the same story.

Hall believes that these reminiscent moments are disappearing in today’s generation, but it doesn’t necessarily have to. 

“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 with every 5,000 points earned. Honestly, it’s way easier and cheaper than juggling multiple streaming subscriptions like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu, and the experience that comes with it is worth far more.

Sure, streaming wins on convenience. But theaters win on connection. Movies aren’t just about watching, it’s about feeling something together. So even if I could stream every movie I wanted from home, I’d still find myself at AMC most weekends, with my popcorn in hand, phone off, waiting for the lights to dim. Because sometimes the magic of movies doesn’t just come from the story but also from the room.