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BuzzJack Music Forum _ Movies and Theatre _ Do You Prefer Watching Films In A Packed Or Emptier Cinema?

Posted by: Houdini 4th May 2019, 08:55 PM

Today I watched Avengers: Endgame at a cinema and it was a full room, I had to sit closer to the front because most of the seats had been booked already and the guy who was sitting on my right was eating like there's no tomorrow and this was from when the adverts and trailers were being shown before the movie itself had even started making noise in the process. In front of me were two girls who kept looking at their phones which was shining bright lights.

Whenever I have a day off work and I go to watch a film during the day time on a weekday I am able to pretty much choose wherever I want to sit and there are no distractions that arise during the film so for me I prefer watching films in cinemas that are emptier.

Posted by: TheSnake 4th May 2019, 08:59 PM

Emptier for me, less chance of distractions from other cinema goers and you can get seats further back so you can see the screen better.

Posted by: Mattias 18th May 2019, 06:15 PM

Emptier! The ambiance is more chill and there are less potential distractions.

Posted by: Jαsє 18th May 2019, 11:06 PM

Ew who likes a packed cinema? Too warm, too much noise.

Posted by: Mikee1981 19th May 2019, 09:11 AM

love an empty screening, my local odeon used to be dead often just me and partner in at times we went and sometimes about 8 others ... now its been refurbished into a luxe I have been once cos its full all the time even on times that was often quieter so we have started going to vue now as its gone quiet there

Posted by: Serhat Mack 19th May 2019, 05:14 PM

Would have to be an emptier cinema that I would prefer.

Posted by: dobbo 19th May 2019, 05:33 PM

Emptier for sure, I always tried to go on unsociable hours to avoid such scenarios (like the last showing on a weekday - plus that was because of Meerkat Movies as well) & the odd times I did end up in a packed house there was too much background noise going on to comfortably enjoy the flick.

Posted by: Serhat Mack 19th May 2019, 05:53 PM

Weekday afternoons in school time they are ideal time to go where I am.

Posted by: lewistgreen 19th May 2019, 06:27 PM

Emptier fo’sho. I purposely waited to see A Star Is Born and there were 2 other people in there

Posted by: troublepink 20th May 2019, 02:18 PM

Definitely emptier. I've been to the cinema a few times where I've been the only person in the screening and its amazing, like your own private cinema!

Posted by: 365 21st May 2019, 08:59 PM

It depends on the film for me. Endgame's atmosphere was amazing with a full cinema. It wasn't quite as enjoyable with a lacklustre half empty cinema.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 23rd May 2019, 11:58 AM

emptier except for comedies. Comedy works better when you have a live laugh-track...

Posted by: natelivliv 26th June 2019, 02:16 PM

I think going to the cinema is a much better experience- for the extremely large screen, 3D and most importantly, the vast amounts of scrummy popcorn!

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Posted by: bhaiterabhai 17th February 2020, 08:37 PM

"Watching from the comfort of your own home is ideal but going to the cinema makes you remember the film more and enjoy the experience itself. I would rather go to the cinema as a nice treat." "They both are good and bad. At home you can pause it if you need the loo but it's not as much of a treat.

Posted by: Jonjo 17th February 2020, 08:59 PM

It depends on the movie.

Comedies and event moments (like Endgame first week) are SO fun during packed screens. Every one laughing and reacting in unison. Shivers.

However, emptier screens are better for comfort and actually processing the movies. Especially horror movies. They seem to attract the worst audiences. 90% of my worst cinema experiences are in horror movies due to people chatting, on their phones, taking actual pictures with flash etc.. ugh. Pisses me right off.

Posted by: Jack 17th February 2020, 09:26 PM

I will never in a million YEARS understand why you would pay to go to the cinema, only to go on your phone or talk throughout. I wish cinemas had stricter policies regarding this but they generally don't give a shit. It's so so selfish and has ruined so many films for me unfortunately I love going to the cinema too!

Posted by: Jordan Lee 17th February 2020, 09:44 PM

Up until the last year or so I barely ever went to the Cinema because it just drove me insane. Constantly getting up for people going to the toilet, loud eating, chatting, phones etc. But now I’ve went more I prefer it when it’s less busy as it feels more home like and like you can be more relaxed etc. But at the same time it would sort of depend on the film too like a new film I’m seeing for the very first time emptier for sure but say if I was watching a sing along musical type film of something what’s not so new then a more packed one.

I agree though on the phone rule! They should be made to be either switched off or put away.

Posted by: Crazy Chris 1st March 2020, 06:27 PM

When I used to go in the afternoons there were only 3 or 4 of us in. Prefer it like that as you can sit where you want.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 1st March 2020, 06:53 PM

Emptier any time. I always try to pick more under-the-radar films to go and see and avoid big blockbusters (most of which these days I'm not into anyway given I'm not the biggest superhero fan, I think Star Wars is the exception) for the first few weeks. Nothing worse than being being cramped for space and next to loud, obnoxious people not paying attention to the film. If you are that person, we can't ever be friends x

Posted by: Jαsє 1st March 2020, 11:38 PM

Went to a VIP showing on Saturday night at my local Cineworld in York (I believe there's only 5 Cineworlds in the UK which have the VIP experience!) and there was only 5 other people. Such a cosy setting

Posted by: technologywell 20th March 2021, 10:34 AM

I loved in packed one. I watched end game movie and i love it!

Posted by: Klumzee 20th March 2021, 11:11 AM

Emptier for me! In theory packed sounds great and perhaps for a midnight screening on premiere day it'd enhance the experience as you're all big fans to be there at that time. Otherwise there's way too much noise and distractions and of course the possibility of having to sit much closer than you'd like to the screen. I've been in a completely empty screen with a friend and that is also a great experience to have!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 20th March 2021, 03:34 PM

Oh I love being on the front row all on my own, the cinema screen towers over you and you become part of the experience. Not like the time I saw Star Trek: The Motion Picture a lifetime ago and got 2 kids in front of me kicked out for talking constantly - admittedly it was slow and boring, but if you dont like it, leave!

On t'other hand I saw Jaws at a screening in California, it was packed with mostly teens and early 20's, and the audience were utterly involved, screaming, cheering, gasping and applauding - so much more thrilling than sat in silence. I don't think modern audiences get quite that involved these days, being spoilt by SFX and high expectations, so a rubber shark doesn't quite cut it.....

Posted by: Dexton 31st March 2021, 03:33 PM

For big event movies like Endgame having a busier cinema is better IMO. Everyone is involved cheering, laughing, gasping, crying etc. It adds to the experience and kinda reassures you that being so invested in a movie is normal. I get that loud eaters or people on their phone is very annoying but that’s a minority of people (in my experience anyway) so I can overlook it.

But other times, when the movie isn’t anything too special I’d rather it be quiet so I can just enjoy the movie and not worry about being too loud if I’m eating popcorn

Posted by: Tombo 3rd June 2021, 06:28 PM

I like empty, I usually go in the daytime when it is quiet.

I’d say sometimes packed can have a nice atmosphere when people react to what happens in the film though