The Decline in Average Weekly Cinema Attendance, 1930-2000

Abstract

Since the beginnings of the motion picture industry, with the one small Edison studio in New Jersey in the early 1900’s, America has fallen in love with films. One could argue and debate the reasons why, employing everything from sociology to psychology to economics; but one thing is certain – this love affair has changed over the years. This change is perhaps most evident in the decline in the percentage of the United States population that goes to the cinema weekly. One interesting aspect of cinema attendance is that during the Great Depression, which swept the United States in the 1930’s, a higher percentage of the population went to the cinema each week than during the times of economic expansion and great prosperity the U.S. has seen since (Finler 288, MPAA). What has brought about such a change in Americans’ sentiments about going to the cinema that is reflected in such a decline in cinema attendance? In 1930 (the earliest year from which accurate and credible data exists), weekly cinema attendance was 80 million people, approximately 65% of the resident U.S. population (Koszarski 25, Finler 288, U.S. Statistical Abstract). However, in the year 2000, that figure was only 27.3 million people, which was a mere 9.7% of the U.S. population (MPAA, U.S. Statistical Abstract). If one simply considers the raw numbers (see appendix), that is a steep decline in seventy years, which is more astounding when one considers some of the other circumstances of the times. Why exactly has there been such a decline in movie theater attendance? Is it the result of an increase in admission prices? Is it the result of an increase in the number of screens available nationwide and their accessibility? Or is it the result of an increase in the prevalence of other, alternative forms of entertainment, like television?