People are going to s--t theaters then. I've had maybe 2 bad experiences while watching a film, and this was in the past 10 years.
Don't want to sit in with a crowd? Go to an early showing. At the very least the people that show up for these, will be quiet and respectful.
Don't want to pay for overpriced food? Eat beforehand. These are painless precautions one can take to ensure an enjoyable night out at the movies.
I've got a pretty sweet home theater setup, but I don't think I'll ever have the chance to replicate a 5-star quality cinema experience. The screen and environments are immersible, the temperatures are cooled perfectly, the sound system is glorious, and the seats are quite comfy. And unless your area is full of jerks, it doesn't matter if you're sitting alone or in a packed place. I'd go as far to say that a full crowd adds to enjoyment of the movie (especially with action, horror, and comedy genres).
I'd recommend scouting out as many surrounding cinemas as you can, so you can find the best fit. I feel really sorry for those that have been turned off by a few instances of bad nights.