Obviously the fact that so few other people were there is not great for the theatre, but it was a really enjoyable experience.
Not to mention it set up something of a feedback loop—I’d see trailers for upcoming films that I would then go back to see. I don’t really see ads for films at home, so even though cinemas reopened some time ago I hadn’t thought to go until recently (well, that and the fact that it’s probably a hot-bed for infection).
The cinemas in Singapore have both fold-down seats and recliners, and the premium halls with recliners cost 3x more.
What I'd love to see would be group-buys at local theaters, with the entire catalog of film at pre-negotiated prices.
The culture of cinema appreciation and improved experience that they’re fostering is such a significant improvement over the sterile feel of Regal or AMC-type cinemas that I will always favor The Drafthouse over them whenever I can.
They have my strongest recommendation.
There’s a lot of little touches that really make a difference. As you wait in the theater for the show to start they play purpose-made 30 minute pre-rolls that relate to the film you’re about to watch. These can include videos that flesh-out or explain the lore of the story you’re about to watch, funny Youtube clips of home-made skits based around the film’s IP, or bizarre film-nerd deep cuts that you would never see unless you know the type of person who collects them (Turkish Spiderman comes to mind).
All of this replaces the teeth-grindingly irritating commercial reels that play in most theaters while you wait. The kind with shitty purpose-made “Hollywood Insider” trivia clips, or “unscramble the celebrity name” quizzes. The difference that it makes to not have to endure these while you wait for the movie is significantly more enjoyable.
All of the theaters in CA/WA that I've been too in the last 5-10 years fit your description with the exception of the last two points (I avoid theaters without #4). There's nothing like a Pixar movie in theaters with a pitcher of Imperial Stout and surf-and-turf dinner.
For example Rerun the wire or the sopranos one episode a week
AirBnB for home cinemas would be awesome if it existed though!
* Smaller screens
* Comfier seats
* Higher quality snacks
* Plus beers, cocktails, small appertiser type meals (e.g. sliders or similar)
* Films known to have cinematic/spectacular appeal from any time rather than just the latest releases.
* 'The Room' playing once a month
I would absolutely pay current cinema prices, plus food + drink for an afternoon of comfort and films that I otherwise wouldn't see, in the atmosphere they were meant for. I guess it brings it closer to theatre in that sense as you tend to have a better idea of what you're seeing, whether people like it, whether you already like it and whether it's going to be worth your time/money.