The Golden Days of the Big Screen
I started watching movies back in the 90s on TV. For me, the real theatre experience happened much later during my college days, around 2004 or 2005. After that, for the next 15 years, I went on to watch endless movies on the big screen.
I always felt that a movie is best enjoyed on the big screen in a theatre. Even today, I strongly believe that. The dark room, the giant screen, and the loud speakers make you feel like you are inside the story. If someone asks me if they should watch movies on mobile or in a theatre, I will always tell them to choose the theatre first.
Why I Started to Watch Movies on Mobile
But during the pandemic, everything changed. I developed a new habit. For almost two years, I decided to watch movies on mobile because we were all stuck inside our homes and theatres were closed.
Ironically, before the pandemic, whenever I used to travel on local trains, I would see people doing this. I would watch people trying to watch movies on mobile phones while standing in the crowd. They would be holding onto the train handles with one hand and staring at their phone with the other. I used to laugh in my head. I would think, “How can someone enjoy an entire movie on such a small screen in a crowded, noisy place?”
But the thing with a mobile phone is that it gives you complete comfort. You can watch anything from anywhere. You can sit on your bed, relax on the sofa, or sit in a park and just play a film.
My case was a bit different, though. My laptop had a lot of issues, so I had to switch to my phone. Initially, it was fun, and I really enjoyed it. But my love for bigger screens was just too strong. I finally fixed my setup and shifted to watching on my laptop, which I still do today. I really miss watching movies on a giant screen. If a new mall or multiplex opens near my place, I will happily start watching films there again.
The Focus Problem When You Watch Movies on Mobile
My biggest concern with the mobile-watching audience is this: Are you really able to focus properly on that tiny screen? When you watch movies on mobile, your screen is filled with distractions. You get WhatsApp messages, phone calls, and social media notifications right in the middle of a serious scene.
Even if you do focus… like I did for a while… would the experience be much better on a bigger screen? For me, the answer is a big YES. The theatre multiplies that movie magic by five times because of the loud Dolby sound and the massive screen vision. You just cannot get that feeling on a tiny phone display.
The Cost of Cinema Today
These days, the quality of movies matters too. Not everyone is willing to spend money to watch every new film in theatres. Hollywood actor Ryan Gosling recently said something very true. He said that if good films are made, the audience will gladly come to the theatre. Otherwise, they simply won’t.
Watching something on Netflix with a ₹199 monthly subscription is much easier and safer. It is better than going to watch three new films a month at a theatre. A single theatre visit costs you ₹200 per ticket, plus the cost of travel and buying expensive food like popcorn. So, many people choose the cheaper option to stay home.
Rating My 4 Screen Experiences
If I have to rate my watching experience from best to worst, it would look like this:
- Theatre: The absolute best way to watch.
- Laptop: The perfect middle option. The screen is big enough, and I can use headphones.
- TV: Good for family time, but the long TV ads make it very irritating.
- Mobile: Only good for when you are traveling or have no other choice.
A great movie will always tell a good story, no matter where you watch it. But do not let a giant piece of beautiful art get trapped inside a 6-inch screen.
