Few days back, comedian Jerry Seinfeld made a huge comment on the movie business. The billionaire who recently made his feature directorial debut with Unfrosted on Netflix said the film business is “over” and that movies are no longer “the pinnacle in the social, cultural hierarchy” they once were. But, comedian and filmmaker Seth Rogen does not think so.
Seth Rogen Discusses the Future of Movies
Seth Rogen in Stormy (2024). Image Credit: Peacock
Legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld recently made some bold claims about the film industry. While promoting his latest movie, Unfrosted, Seinfeld expressed his belief that the movie business might be nearing its end. Seinfeld went on to discuss the broader context of the film industry today. He noted that many within the industry remain unaware of its diminished status. “They don’t have any idea that the movie business is over. They have no idea,” he observed.
When asked to elaborate on this point, Seinfeld provided a more in-depth analysis of the industry’s decline. “Film doesn’t occupy the pinnacle in the social, cultural hierarchy that it did for most of our lives,” he stated. He pointed out that movies no longer hold the same cultural significance as they once did.
When questioned about a potential replacement for film’s cultural dominance, Seinfeld offered a surprising answer. “Depression? Malaise? I would say confusion. Disorientation replaced the movie business,” he said, highlighting a sense of lost direction and uncertainty that he believes has taken over in the absence of the movie industry’s former glory.
But, now, Seth Rogen has made one contrasting view on what Seinfield remarked. Despite the rise of streaming services, This Is the End actor remains optimistic about the future of cinema. In a recent interview with Variety‘s Awards Circuit Podcast, Rogen firmly believes movie theaters aren’t going anywhere.
He expressed confidence that movies are here to stay. “People still enjoy movies,” he said, noting that many films performed well last year. According to Rogen, if movies were destined to disappear, they would have done so by now.
“I think people still like movies,” he tells Variety‘s Awards Circuit Podcast. “Last year, lots of movies did very well. I think if movies were going go away, they would have a long time ago.”
Rogen uses a compelling analogy to illustrate his point. “Paintings are still around. People still go to museums,” he remarked. Despite the availability of flashier and seemingly more interesting forms of entertainment, museums continue to attract visitors from around the globe.
“There’s things flashier or more ‘interesting’ than then oil on canvas, but people still flock from all over the world, enough to keep museums open,” he added.
For Rogen, the same principle applies to movies. It doesn’t take a large audience to sustain the film industry; even a small, dedicated group of moviegoers is enough to keep it alive.
“not a ton of people have to like movies to keep movies going. It’s always been a very small percentage of the population that actually goes and sees movies,” he further said.
Rogen’s perspective highlights the enduring power of the cinematic experience. Movies offer a unique, communal way to engage with stories on the big screen, something streaming services can’t fully replicate. While the industry may evolve, it seems movie theaters will likely remain a fixture in our cultural landscape.
Movie Theaters: Doomed or Here to Stay?
Representative image of a movie in a theater. Image Credit: Tima Miroshnichenko/CC
The future of the movie theater industry has become a hot topic of discussion recently, igniting debates about its survival and relevance. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld stirred the pot with his assertion that the film business is “over,” suggesting that movies have lost their once formidable cultural clout. Seinfeld argues that a sense of “confusion” has replaced the thrill and excitement that movies once generated, implying a decline in their influence.
On the other side of the debate, Rogen presents a more optimistic perspective. The actor counters Seinfeld’s viewpoint by pointing to the robust performance of several films in the past year, suggesting that the movie business is far from being over. He argues that movie theaters are like museums – even in the age of flashy digital entertainment, people still value the unique experience they offer.
The truth is, that the rise of streaming services has undeniably changed how we watch movies. Convenience reigns supreme, and the allure of curling up on the couch with your favorite streaming platform is undeniable. However, this doesn’t spell doom for movie theaters.
The big screen experience, complete with high-quality visuals and sound, creates a sense of immersion that streaming at home can’t fully capture. This unique aspect of movie theaters continues to draw audiences who seek more than just a film—they seek an experience.
In essence, while the landscape of the movie industry is undoubtedly shifting, it’s premature to declare the end of movie theaters. Like museums, which have withstood the test of time by offering distinctive and enriching experiences, movie theaters are likely to persist, evolving alongside new technologies and viewing habits. The film business, therefore, isn’t over; it’s transforming, and in this transformation lies its enduring relevance.
