Netflix CEO: Theater Visits Outmoded, Saving Hollywood

Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has boldly stated that the streaming giant is "saving Hollywood," suggesting that the traditional practice of theatergoing is becoming outdated for the majority of viewers. Speaking at the Time100 Summit, Sarandos defended Netflix's role amid a backdrop of production shifts away from Los Angeles, the shrinking theatrical window, declining audience experiences, and inconsistent box office results. He emphasized Netflix's consumer-centric approach, saying, "We deliver the program to you in a way you want to watch it."

Addressing the slump in cinema attendance, Sarandos posed a rhetorical question: "What is the consumer trying to tell us? That they’d like to watch movies at home." While he expressed personal fondness for cinema visits, he labeled theatergoing as "an outmoded idea, for most people," although he acknowledged it's not universal.

Given Sarandos's position at Netflix, his advocacy for streaming over traditional cinema aligns with the company's business interests. Hollywood's challenges are evident, with films like "Inside Out 2" and "A Minecraft Movie" attempting to bolster the industry, even as Marvel's once-reliable blockbusters experience fluctuating success.

The question of whether cinema visits are outdated continues to spark debate. Veteran actor Willem Dafoe lamented the trend of watching films at home, noting that the level of engagement differs significantly. "Which is tragic, because the kind of attention that people give at home isn’t the same," he remarked. Dafoe highlighted the social aspect of cinema-going, emphasizing how movies facilitate discussions and shared experiences, which are often lost in the fragmented viewing habits of home audiences.

In 2022, acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh weighed in on the future of movie theaters in the streaming era. While acknowledging the ongoing appeal of the cinema experience, he stressed the importance of engaging younger audiences to ensure the longevity of theaters. "There's still an appeal to seeing a movie in a movie theater. It's still a great destination," Soderbergh stated, emphasizing the need for strategic programming and audience engagement to sustain the cinema-going tradition. He believed that the future of theaters depends not on the timing of releases but on the ability to attract and retain audiences across generations.