Opinion: Why you should see older movies in theaters

In the midst of the current WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, film and television projects that were originally in production have been put on hold, and those that were slated to be released in late 2023/early 2024 have been delayed.

With certain anticipated content on standby, it begs two questions: How will theaters perform with some of the fall slate disappearing? And what is there to see in the theaters? The answer is simple: look for older films.

Fathom Events is a terrific way to experience older films on the big screen. In conjunction with the UEC, AMC and Regal Cinemas theater chains, Fathom Events offers viewers at least one to two older films per month under their “Classic Events” banner.

It is a unique way to enjoy the classic films you enjoy most or to experience them for the first time. Unfortunately, if your local theater is not under any UEC, AMC, or Regal name and runs independently, there is not a high chance they will contain this offer.

Other older films are not always under the “Classic Events” banner, because Fathom Events also offers “Studio Ghibli Fest” for audiences who want to see Hayao Miyazaki’s anime creations on the big screen as well.

From September to November, Studio Ghibli fans can see beloved animated films such as “Howl’s Moving Castle” and “Spirited Away.” Although, “Studio Ghibli Fest” is only slated for Regal Cinemas chains for 2023.

What older films can you see in the theaters from now until December? For September, audiences can see two classic 80’s flicks: John Carpenter’s “Christine” and Tom Cruise's “Rain Man.” In October, you have the choice of seeing “The Exorcist” (currently only slated at AMC Theaters) and Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” for the Halloween season.

In November, you have the chance to see “Scarface” for its 40th anniversary, and in December you can see “A Christmas Story.” Those are some of the options currently available for filmgoers to experience on the big screen, and the 2024 slate will eventually be revealed.

This begs a good question, though. Why go to the theaters to watch these movies when you could just easily stream one of these on Hulu or simply play a copy of “A Christmas Story” on DVD?

In the current climate, theaters can use all the help they can get, especially since countless movies have bombed at the box office this summer (with the notable exception of “Barbenheimer” of course). Not to mention, the movie theater is the best way to watch movies, period. If watching “Oppenheimer” in glorious IMAX 70mm did not tell you that, then what would?

Overall, regardless of whether there are strikes, seeing older films on the big screen is not a bad idea for a good time. There is always a film for someone even if you do not want to see everything in the slate. What better way of seeing classic films than the way they were originally intended to be seen?

Logan M. Sharp is a fourth-year student studying film production. To contact him, please email lxs5590@psu.edu.