Are Movie Theaters Done? Is The Orion Theater In Yakima In Danger?

I love going to the movie theater. It’s all about the super comfy seats, HUGE screen and that delicious popcorn that you cannot replicate at home. Believe me I have tried. Coconut oil anyone?

So when a MAJOR movie studio announced that they are releasing all their movies in 2021 at both theaters and at home viewing at the same time, I start to get a little nervous.

Warner Bros announced today, that they will release ALL of their 2021 Movies in Theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously.

All 17 films, including the major releases like ‘The Suicide Squad’ and ‘Matrix 4’, will play exclusively on the streaming service for one month before returning to normal theatrical window.

I have been watching this closely over the past few months. I have been wondering if I am going to be able to watch ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ on the big screen? Or is it going to be reduced to the “small screen” at home? I am concerned that the movie theater is going the way of the soon to be obsolete DVD format. Or worse – the way of the VCR (Google that for some nostalgic fun).

Is this it? Are we witnessing first hand, the end movie theaters? Can they bounce back?

I say we follow the lead of the fine folks at Yakima’s Orion Theater. They have a good business model of serving adults over 21. They have a bar and serve drinks to patrons in a safe environment that allows them to enjoy a night out. They have been ahead of the curve on service. I truly hope this works out for them and hope they can keep the theater experience alive.

I think they have figured out like a solid plan experience to get people to come back. As soon as they open back up, let’s all plan to be there to support a great art form that may be dying – cause I believe in art CPR.

All My Best,

The JimShow