At the Time100 Summit, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos boldly claimed that the streaming giant is "saving Hollywood," despite the industry facing numerous challenges such as productions moving away from Los Angeles, the shrinking theatrical window, and declining audience experiences in cinemas. Sarandos emphasized Netflix's consumer-centric approach, stating, "We deliver the program to you in a way you want to watch it." He also addressed the slump in box office sales, suggesting that consumers prefer watching movies at home, while acknowledging that theatergoing is "an outmoded idea, for most people."
Hollywood's current struggles are evident, with family films like "Inside Out 2" and video game adaptations such as "A Minecraft Movie" helping to bolster the industry. Even Marvel movies, previously guaranteed blockbusters, are now experiencing variable success. The shift in viewing habits is further highlighted by comments from actor Willem Dafoe, who lamented the decline in cinema attendance and the loss of the social aspect of movie watching. Dafoe noted the difficulty for more challenging films to thrive without an attentive audience, expressing concern over the casual, fragmented viewing at home.
In contrast, filmmaker Steven Soderbergh remains optimistic about the future of movie theaters. In 2022, he discussed the ongoing appeal of cinema experiences and the importance of engaging younger audiences to ensure their continued patronage as they age. Soderbergh stressed that the future of movie theaters hinges on effective programming and audience engagement, rather than solely on the timing of releases between theaters and streaming platforms.
The debate over the relevance of traditional cinema versus the convenience of streaming continues, with industry leaders like Sarandos and Soderbergh offering differing perspectives on how best to navigate the evolving landscape of film consumption.
