There are several ways you can watch a movie nowadays, whether it's on streaming services, theaters, or even DVD rentals, but the most preferred options are the first two. They both come with pros and cons, so which one is better?
Streaming Services
Streaming services, unlike watching one movie in theaters, are actually subscription-based services, which means that you will have to pay regularly depending on your plan. That means that even if you don't watch as often as you'd like, you will still have to pony up.
With the rising prices of subscriptions, it might not be worth it, so it all falls on how often you would be watching content. With that said, there's also the convenience of having it on standby, allowing you to watch it whenever you want.
You will have a larger library of films you can choose from. Some even take a while before they finally pick the movie they want to play. Your choices range from classics released decades ago to new releases that were released within the year.
Depending on the service you're subscribed to, there are exclusives that can only be streamed from that particular site, which means that you won't find them in theaters if you choose to watch them. With theatrical releases, however, the titles eventually land on a streaming service.
There is a catch when you wait for theatrical releases to be included in a streaming site. It means you will watch it later than others, and you will be at risk of encountering spoilers. That's especially the case for popular movies that people will definitely talk about on social media.
Theaters
Theaters are still operational for a reason, despite having more convenient ways to watch content like streaming services. You just can't match the energy of being inside the cinema watching with others who are just as interested as you are, if not more.
By watching with a larger crowd, you get to experience emotions as a whole, which is unlike sitting at home and watching on your own. You can take the scene where Captain America threw Mjolnir, for instance, where theaters came alive as everyone cheered.
Theaters are also built to be comfortable for your viewing experience. That means the seats will support your back, the temperature will be just right, and there is a large screen in front of you along with a sound system that makes it feel immersive.
Of course, those will come at a price. The average price of a movie ticket is now $12. That's a bit heavy if you intend to watch films in theaters regularly. Watching two films is already the same price as a monthly subscription to a streaming service.
Plus, it will cost you a lot more if you include your expenses for food and drinks. Theaters are notoriously known for having overpriced items, so much so that people have been finding clever ways to sneak food in.
Conclusion
If you watch films a lot and don't mind being behind in the latest releases, you might be better off with a streaming service since it will be cheaper in the long run. However, even with a subscription, you can still go to the cinemas occasionally for big releases that you want to watch right away.
