VIDEO TRANSCIPT: Surviving as an independent movie local theater
Jack McGuire: In the years directly following the COVID pandemic, going to the movies fell out of favor with the availability of popular streaming services, such as Amazon prime, Netflix, and Max. For many people, it’s just more convenient to watch a film in the convenience of their own home without the distractions and hassle of driving across town. Onondaga County resident Steven Kessler checked out the newly released “How to Train Your Dragon” at Regal Cinemas Sunday and said he prefers watching movies in the privacy of his own home.
Steven Kessler: This is like my first time coming back, in a couple years, to the movies. We haven’t been to a movie theatre in a while, and coming today was confirmation that we’ll probably continue to just stream. Because at home you can adjust your stuff how you want, you can pause it, and you don’t have to worry about kids in the theatre,” he said.
McGuire: Regal is currently trying to increase audience turnout by offering half-priced tickets on Tuesdays. Independent movie theatres like Manlius Cinemas must constantly strategize how to attract audience members, with a much smaller budget than the big theatre chains like AMC and Regal. Derek Walter is the general manager at Manlius Cinema, and he says getting people in his theatre is all about creating ambiance. He believes creating a lasting impact is the key to accumulating a loyal audience.
Derek Walter: We’re not the biggest theatre in Syracuse. So what value can we add that will make people think about us first and make people want to come back.
McGuire: Comparing the theatre experience to watching a movie on Netflix or Amazon Prime, Walter says that they are incorporating several factors into separating themselves from the rest of the pack.
Walter: We’ve put a lot of work into fixing the building, replacing the seats, it gave us the opportunity to add tables. And now we have the capability of bringing in food from neighboring A.W. Wander (restaurant next door) so people can come here and have dinner
Guire: Ticket sales for movie theatres nationwide have continued to increase steadily since 2021, and 2025 sales have already nearly captured 2024’s numbers.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — In the years directly following the COVID pandemic, going to the movies fell out of favor with the availability of popular streaming services, such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Max. For many people, it’s easier to watch a film in the comfort of their own home without the distractions and hassle of driving across town.
Onondaga County resident Steven Kessler checked out the newly released “How to Train Your Dragon” at Regal Cinemas Sunday and said he prefers watching movies in the privacy of his own home.
“This is like my first time coming back, in a couple years, to the movies. We haven’t been to a movie theater in a while, and coming today was confirmation that we’ll probably continue to just stream. Because at home you can adjust your stuff how you want, you can pause it, and you don’t have to worry about kids in the theater,” he said.
Regal is currently pulling moves to try and increase audience turnout by offering half-priced tickets on Tuesdays.
But big theater chains aren’t the only ones that are trying to keep up with the ever-changing trends of watching movies.
Independent movie theatres like Manlius Cinemas must constantly strategize how to attract audience members, with a much smaller budget than the big theater chains like AMC and Regal.
Derek Walter is the general manager at Manlius Cinema, and he said getting people in his theater is all about creating ambiance.
“The biggest factor is creating a really good atmosphere, a really great experience that’s going to make them want to keep coming back,” he said.
“We’re not the biggest theater in Syracuse. So what value can we add that will make people think about us first and make people want to come back.”
Comparing the theater experience to watching a movie on Netflix or Amazon Prime, Walter said that they are incorporating several factors into separating themselves from the rest of the pack.
“We’ve put a lot of work into fixing the building, replacing the seats, it gave us the opportunity to add tables. And now we have the capability of bringing in food from neighboring A.W. Wander (restaurant) so people can come here and have dinner,” he said.
Ticket sales for movie theaters nationwide have continued to increase steadily since 2021, and 2025 sales have already nearly captured 2024’s numbers.