Watching a movie multiple times in theaters, how much is too much?

[Mace Dolex]

There is a tendency for pop culture geeks and nerds who like to see their favorite comic/superhero movies more than once because of the audience experience, some of it is good other times it can be terrible but when you think about it what’s the point in seeing a movie in theaters multiple times when you know the outcome to it and now you’re stuck in there since you already paid your ticket. And this it totally different than seeing a movie multiple times in the comfort of your home since you decide whether to watch it or not.

I know when I was younger I made it a point to see my favorite superhero movie at least twice before it left theaters, why? Who knows, was it a competition to beat some sort of record, who cares. But now with movies coming out quicker on DVD/BD why bother with seeing a movie a second time.

And this is coming from someone that saw The Phantom Menace four times in theaters because I think each time I was trying to find something redeemable about it.

 

[Ivan Drago]

I've never seen the same movie more than three times in theaters. And I've done that twice in my life.

If I really love a movie, I'll generally see it twice in theaters.

I actually see most comicbook movies twice, the second time I go see it with friends.

 

[Aristotelian]

I have never understood this practice myself. I have a rule that I don't watch a movie more than once in theatres, not if I can help it anyway. Reason being that if it's a great film, why would you spoil the fun by reliving it so soon and so often after the initial viewing? It's like eating something delicious - you can have it again, just wait a long time between each, so you don't get bored of it through overexposure. And of course if it's bad, you won't go again.

I'd say anything upwards of 3 is excessive - there are other great films you could be watching (that aren't necessarily in theatres) and surely you have other things to occupy your mind with. Also, money.

 

[Flint Marko]

I see (good) superhero movies twice in theaters. Any more then that, and I kind of burn myself out on the film.

 

[2kt09]

Once is enough for me.
If I wanna watch it again, I wait for streaming.

 

[C. Lee]

When I was younger, if I really liked a movie (such as STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE or SUPERMAN THE MOVIE) I watched them multiple times at the theater. One major reason for this was....that was your only way to see them. There was no DVDs, no cable, not streaming......you saw a movie in the theater....then around 2 years later it would show up on a Network showing....then a few years later it would hopefully show up on one of the 3 or 4 TV channels that existed as a Saturday afternoon program. Now days, I see few movies at the theater at all, much less multiple times.

 

[OutOfBoose]

Depends on the mood, really. Apparently I was craving for something to shock me out of the apathy last March. I saw a certain film 4 times. It's my absolutely record of theatrical viewings. Before that it was two times with Cloverfield, Inception and The Dark Knight Rises.

 

[Bats123]

There's a few movies that i've watched multiple times, The Force Awakens (7 times), The Dark Knight (5 times), Avengers (5 times) and Civil War (4 times). Basically movies that i've really loved. I've watched many movies at least twice, but no more than that, unless, well, i love it.

 

[Supa]

The most I've ever watched a movie in theaters is 3 times, and one of those was sort of a happy accident than anything else.

Tickets can get expensive. Seeing a movie 4 times is like $30 on tickets alone. Seeing a movie at a theater like 6 times in just a few weeks seems excessive. If I really liked a movie, I'll see it twice. But even with recent films I've enjoyed like Civil War or Rogue One, once is enough for me.

 

[pr0xyt0xin]

I saw the dark knight and the Avengers 6 times each lol.

I saw civil war and doctor strange 3 times each.

Pretty sure just 2 or less for anything else.

I consider all of the above to have been worth it.

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

I almost never see films in theaters more than once anymore. Much like C. Lee I used to see movies I loved multiple times in the theater because that was really the only option and up until the last fifteen years or so there was an enormous drop off in quality in seeing at home. Today with 4K televisions and quick home releases, there isn't much incentive to watch stuff at the theater more than once, and even that's only for films I really want to see.

 

[writer0327]

Between Netflix and all the stuff on television, there's too much stuff to watch nowadays. Who has time? I can get it once or twice in the theater and that's about it. And that's with a job that gives me free movie passes.

I think the fact that films come out in 4-6 months in many cases on Blu-ray and DVD has cut back on a lot of that action for many people. Back when films wouldn't release to home video for almost a year, I would definitely watch films multiple times.

 

[Asr]

I've never seen a movie more than twice in a theater, and usually only go see something twice if I really liked the movie, which tend to be either CBMs or other similar "blockbuster" type movies that benefit from the theater's huge screen and megawatt sound system, since my TV at home is a mere 46" screen (and I run it with a 2.0 speaker system as well). Usually, if I see a movie twice, I'll catch it at a local AMC for one viewing and then a local Regal for the other viewing to stack up reward points separately.

The only movies that I really make an effort to see in the theater in the first place are either the ones that benefit from a huge screen (and sound system), or take advantage of 3D (I'll admit to seeing Ghostbusters 2016 in theaters partially because CinemaBlend.com reported that its 3D was really good), or that I think will benefit from an opening-weekend or night crowd.

And I no longer buy movies on disc as much as I used to, mostly because they take up too much space and I don't usually have enough spare time to re-watch movies. I find that it's easier for me to watch episodic TV-type programming, whether I catch it live on-air or through Netflix, as episodes tend to be either ~23 minutes, ~45 minutes, or 1 hour, as that amount of time better fits with my daily schedule—much easier to watch an episode (or two) while I'm eating dinner, or right before I go to sleep. Trying to cram in a 2-hour movie in an average night isn't quite as easy for me to do these days.

In terms of expenses, I actually find that it's usually cheaper for me to catch a movie in theaters instead of buying it on disc. Matinee ticket price is always cheaper than buying a BD or DVD, and to get a cheap price on a BD or DVD, you always have to wait longer for those to drop in price around the holidays.

 

[Batmannerism]

When I was a kid my family stayed for a week at Butlins holiday camp, and they had a free cinema, I saw Wrath of Khan ten times.....pure awesome.

But now, as an old fart, for me the optimal number seems to either 2 or 5

If it's a good movie, I'll see it twice (and of course the expense mounts, so for a good film I'll go twice).

Spider Man (first Raimi film).

Serenity (Joss Whedon) almost a great movie, saw it twice.

Dark Knight Rises, not great, but good, worth a second look

Fish Called Wanda, just about pissed myself laughing both times (big drink, small bladder, really funny movie).


Iron Man, Civil War and Doctor Strange I loved, but could only afford a second screening, otherwise I'd have gone at least 3 times each. Civil War is borderline great,

If it's a film that resonates with me on an emotional level or a film I consider to be great then it's five.

Dark Knight, five times, would have done more but had to work.

Man of Steel,five times (hey, maybe not a great movie, but I love Superman, and to see him punch stuff just spoke to me)

Inception, loved this film, five times - it spoke to me, I liked the main character's arc.

Guardians of the Galaxy, loved this film too, best space opera since Star Wars 1977. Yup, five times - still think it's a strong contender for best Marvel movie. On that note I probably saw Star Wars in the cinema at least 5-10 times, because it kept getting re-run.

Watchmen.....okay, a good but not great film, but I was overcome by nostalgia (by Veidt) and saw it five times.

Return of the King, one of the best movies ever (and I live in New Zealand) , five times.

For me, cinema is the ultimate escape. I've always had rewarding but also reasonably stressful and demanding jobs (what can I say I'm a sucker for punishment) , and while I've used exercise to reduce stress successfully, there is nothing better in the world, in terms of total escape from reality than a movie. It's two hours where I don't have to think about anything that's stressing me, and I can totally chill.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

As long as it's someone's own money being spent there really is no such thing as "Too Many Times". It's no skin off my nose how often someone sees a film in a theater and it's no one else's business how many times I go. The thread title is oddly structured.

And I went to see things like the first THOR and AVENGERS four times each. I saw MOS 6 times in the theater, which is my current record for really any film during it's theatrical run.

 

[smallville fan]

I usually see movies I like twice in the theatres depending on the genre. Comedy movies don't really hold up well on multiple viewings. I do have a feeling that if some certain movies do turn out well enough for me to like, I may break that record and watch a movie 3 times in the theatre.

 

[Krystal]

Well I saw the dirst Star Trek movie 7 times in 1979-80.
But as far as I knew, It would be the last time I could ever DECIDE ro see it. Sure I might carch it on TV with 15 interuptions maybe once or twice. Then came home video and by the mid 80s three times was my limit for even Trek movies.
Now with movies hitting video 4 months after release the most I ever see a movie is twice. Once with my wife and once perhaps with my buddy.

 

[AlluAllu]

Only movie I have seen more than once at the theaters is Civil War, which I saw twice. I have two sets of friends in different cities and I trusted the reviews. It was a good experience.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Pocket filling change should be the answer to that, or one of the answers.

 

[DA_Champion]

Once is enough, unless you're with a girl and she wants to see a movie you've already seen.

 

[First Avenger]

I saw Spider-Man 1 like five times back in the day ( I was 10).

Since then I saw both Avengers movies 3 times.
DoFP, TDK, TDKR,GotG, CW and Dr Strange twice.
The rest either once or nonce

 

[BatsDC]

Most I've seen a CBM in theaters is three times, and that was for Avengers. I'll see some twice, particularly ones I enjoy, but other than that once is enough

 

[That9neGuy]

I had never seen a movie more than once in theater until Civil War, which I saw twice. I saw Doctor Strange once in 2d and once in 3d. Other than those two once is enough.

 

[Mace Dolex]

I might have broken the habit of multiple viewings with SW Rogue One as I can already see tons of clips online anyway.

 

[Boy Scout]

You can see a movie as many times as you want and it's not a problem unless you do it at the expense of paying bills or eating real food.

I mean, I'd definitely judge you a little bit if you went to see the same movie more than 5 times, but if you can afford to do that, that's not my business.