The term “Going to the movies” has been redefined with advancements in technology, the  growth of online piracy and rising ticket prices which are changing the way movies are seen. Moviegoers aren’t going to the movies; the movies are coming to them.

Movie ticket prices have reached $11 in places such as Kingstowne and Tyson’s Corner, and that’s not including concessions. Theaters make most of their money on concessions and with their high prices; they are driving away potential customers.
“The prices are over ten dollars, and that’s just ridiculous… I don’t think that it’s fair that they do that, but I guess it’s good for them,” said Freshman Taylor Buckner.
Companies such as Netflix, Redbox and Cable companies who offer on demand are cashing in because of what they offer.
“They have to lower their prices because Netflix is $7 and Redbox is only $1 to rent a movie and at a movie theater you don’t have privacy or you can’t pause the movie to go to the bathroom,” said Sophomore Johnny Cronin.
Theaters offer the 3D experience for some movies, but at a cost, moviegoers would have to pay more for the experience.
“3D is just unnecessary because it really doesn’t affect the movie at all and you have to pay an extra $3,” says Cronin.
Going to the movies for teens is a social event for them to go in groups with their friends to hang out, instead of going out every weekend.
“Going to the movies is definitely becoming less popular, it used to be the thing to do in middle school, but now people really only go to see a scary movie,” said Junior Julia Kauffman.
The taste in movies for high school students has evolved and the childish/ blockbuster movies are out, while horror movies have really become popular because they give them something to talk about.
Streaming directly to a console or wireless device has become a major form of entertainment thanks to companies like Netflix. The use of Netflix has given people the opportunity to watch movies in their own home with the financial benefit of being able to eat their own food.
“I don’t have to pay as much to go out and see a movie, compared to paying $7 a month to watch Netflix in the comfort and privacy of my home, and my friends can come and watch for free,” said Film Studies  teacher, Holli Wolter.
While Hollywood is churning out movies still, viewers aren’t taking as much time out of their lives to go out of their way to go to the theater anymore.
“The Possession” is the #1 movie in America right now, it’s not that it’s not a good movie, it’s that Hollywood isn’t making as many good movies like they did with the classics like “Forrest Gump” anymore,” said Wolter.