You see or hear about an upcoming movie. You think it sounds good and you’ll want to see it. When would you be most likely to see a new movie that you plan on seeing?
Note: In deference to board policy, I didn’t include any illegal movie watching options.
I’m cheap. Unless the movie involves special effects that cry out for a big screen I wait for it to show up on one of the premium cable channels that I subscribe to.
Depends on the movie. I see probably 15-20/year at the theater, but if none of my usual movie-going pals want to see it and the logistics don’t work out for me to go by myself, I’ll wait until it comes out on DVD.
You forgot to include “When it comes out on Netflix”.
As I have Fridays off work, we go see new releases at the late morning/early afternoon opening-day screening in the local multi-plex. Rarely, if ever, is there a huge crowd at this time of day on the opening Friday, and I really like to see films before spoilers abound.
Plus, having once worked at a film studio where we did indeed get to see the films in screening rooms before they were released, we got into the habit of seeing new releases.
BTW, at least here in Las Vegas, going to early screenings at local movie theaters is far cheaper than going to those evening shows. For instance, at the South Point Casino is it only $3-4 per movie ticket if you are over 50 years old and go before 4:00 PM. For that price, it is no big deal to see almost everything new film released.
I chose “When it comes out on DVD” because that applies in most cases.
However, in the case of big spectacle movies, I’ll go see them in the theatre, but usually long enough after the debut for the crowds to get a little more reasonable.
There is no set rule. If I have nothing to do and I want to see a movie that has opened, I go, usually Saturday or Sunday morning. Else I’ll see it the next week, Or, if I never get around to it, I wait and rent it. It is looking like I’ll rent Captain America, but I may yet see it in the theater.
It really depends on the movie and whether I feel it needs to be seen on the big screen or not.
Every time I go to a general showing, I regret it. The talkers, texters, children who should be at home or in bed, loud teenagers etc. ruin the movie and I get mad at myself for daring to think I could enjoy going out to a movie. Premieres, advance and private screenings don’t have these issues, so unless it’s one of these three options, I don’t bother going out to see a movie any more.
Have 10-month-old. Netflix. 'Nuff said.
Prices on movie tickets go down after time somewhere? 
Or is this meant to imply going to a theater that does second-run movies instead?
I was talking about a second-run theatre. Although I have seen theatres in the past that had both first and second-run movies.
I wish it was a multi choice poll because it really depends on the movie.
For most - At home once it’s released on DVD, but for big special effects movies it’s theatre all the way. Usually the first weeknight after release at the early show so there are almost no people there.
A combination of “at a theatre, when it’s been out long enough for the crowds to die down”, “at home, when it gets broadcast on TV” or “someday, when I get around to it” (with the emphasis on the latter, I suppose).
It’s pretty rare anything new comes out that I really care about. Amelia was the last one I saw in a theatre. My gf wanted to go see the King’s Speech but it was sold out when we got there. After dealing with the mob scene at the Bijou, I convinced her we’d be better off waiting until we can watch it for free on cable.
Bri2k
For movies which really interest me (for example, this summer, that’s been “Thor”, “X-Men: First Class”, “Harry Potter”, “Captain America”, and “Super 8”), I’ll usually see them in the theater within the first week or so (and, often, during opening weekend).
Occasionally, there’s a movie which interests me, but which I miss in the theater. I’ll usually watch those at home on DVD (I don’t have movie channels like HBO or Showtime).
There’s an awful lot of movies which come out which I have no interest in seeing, and thus, I never see.
A question for those who usually go after the opening week; why? Are you avoiding the crowds? Are you waiting to hear what the people who saw it in the first week think? Or some other reason?
At home when DVD is released. Haven’t been able to tolerate theaters for 15-20 years. And for the last several years my failing ears make subtitles mandatory.
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I choose Someday, when I get around to it.
I planned to watch Spiderman in a theater when it came out but I didn’t. I finally watched it last weekend on TV for the first time.
Someday, when I get around to it.
I probably watch about 3 or 4 movies a year. Tops.