Is the Movie Theater Experience on Life Support? The Alarming Decline of Moviegoers in 2025

As we head into the second half of 2025, I can’t help but share some thoughts on the chilly state of our beloved entertainment industry.

Picture this: You’re at a cocktail party, and the go-to icebreaker is, “So, what are you binge-watching?” Quickly followed by, “When was the last time you actually went to a movie theater?” Brace yourself, because the responses are enough to make any film buff’s heart sink. Out of the twenty non-industry folks I’ve chatted with recently, not a single one has set foot in a cinema this year. Some haven’t gone in over 12 months. Yikes!

Now, I’ll admit my research method is about as scientific as using a hair dryer to toast bread, but one thing’s crystal clear: Movie theaters are facing an unprecedented crisis. The reasons? Well, that’s a whole other can of worms that would require more brainpower and column space than I’ve got right now. But here’s the kicker: If this keeps up, catching a flick at the local multiplex might become as rare as attending the opera. Anyone up for some popcorn and arias?

Every quarter, we’re hit with fresh data showing YouTube’s unstoppable rise. What started as a quirky video-sharing platform has now become the go-to source for everything from cat videos to full-blown documentaries. It’s like YouTube swallowed TV, radio, and Spotify whole, and is now sitting pretty as the content king. But here’s the real kicker: YouTube has basically told traditional gatekeepers, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

Think about it. In the old days, your favorite show had to jump through more hoops than a circus poodle before it hit your screen. Now? It’s just you, your favorite creator, and that magical “Subscribe” button. Talk about a power shift!

No wonder the cool kids are ditching Hollywood for their bedroom studios. Why deal with stuffy executives when you can be your own boss? On YouTube, your vision is the only one that matters. It’s like being the director, producer, and star of your own show – minus the Hollywood drama.

So, picture this: I’m having lunch with this big-shot film producer – we’re talking industry royalty here – and he drops a bombshell. He’s planning his great escape from Tinseltown. And get this: he’s nowhere near retirement age. His grand plan? To step aside and let the next generation take center stage. But here’s the plot twist: he’s not sure he’s leaving the industry better than he found it. Talk about a cliffhanger!

There’s something both noble and suspiciously cinematic about this move. It’s like he’s dropping the mic before someone yanks it away. After decades of hustling and playing Hollywood roulette, he’s choosing to write his own ending. That’s a lot to process – for him and for little old me.

As I hit the big 2-0 in my career (which feels as surreal as a David Lynch film, by the way), I’ve been pondering the L-word. No, not love – luck. We’re in an industry that worships the grind like it’s the holy grail. Every success gets chalked up to blood, sweat, and an almost delusional sense of destiny. But let’s get real for a hot second: Lady Luck is often the uncredited star of our show.

Luck – that sneaky, shape-shifting force that threatens to turn our carefully crafted “hustle harder” narratives into a cosmic joke. You know that old saying, “It’s better to be lucky than good”? Well, I’d love to think I’m both, but truth bomb: there have been plenty of times when I was neither sharp as a tack nor deserving of a gold star… and yet, somehow, the universe winked in my direction.

And here’s the thing: acknowledging luck doesn’t diminish the hard work. It’s about seeing the whole picture, warts and all. Because sometimes, success really is just a coin toss. And when it lands in your favor, the least you can do is say “thanks” to the universe and pay it forward.

As we dive into the back half of 2025, I’m keeping my fingers crossed (and maybe my toes too). Sure, the numbers look about as cheerful as a rainy Monday, but I’m still rooting for those dreamers and believers who think the next big blockbuster will have us all rushing back to the theaters, popcorn in hand.

Of course, there’s a chance we’re just dinosaurs clinging to our beloved cinemas while the asteroid of change hurtles towards us. But for now, we’re keeping the projectors running and the dream alive. After all, in Hollywood, you never know when the next plot twist is coming.

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Thomas Suh is the founder and managing director of Systeme D Entertainment, a filmed media and entertainment company that specializes in content acquisition, management and production for film and television. Room Tone, the title of Suh’s column series, refers to the ambient sound of a space in which filming takes place. Thomas Suh can be reached at tommysuh@me.com ― Ed.