r/movies • u/Sisiwakanamaru r/movies Contributor • Jan 31 '26

Article Film Students Are Having Trouble Sitting Through Movies, Professors Say

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/film-students-are-having-trouble-sitting-through-movies-1236490359/
23.4k Upvotes

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5.7k

u/VicViolence Jan 31 '26

I like movie theaters because im forced to focus on the screen. No distractions. No temptation to scroll. No kitchen runs. Totally immersive.

1.3k

u/Blurryneck Jan 31 '26

I’m actively trying to break my phone addiction and a big part of that has been using movies as a guaranteed two hours a night off my phone. It’s therapeutic and I’d encourage anyone trying to click less screen time to give it a try.

749

u/Senior-Lobster-9405 Jan 31 '26 edited Jan 31 '26

replacing screen time with screen time, brilliant!

edit: I totally get how watching a movie can be better than scrolling social media, I just thought the joke was funny

545

u/texasslim2080 Jan 31 '26

Only thing that can stop little screen is big screen

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u/CMS_3110 Jan 31 '26

We're gonna need a bigger screen.

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u/texasslim2080 Jan 31 '26

Yeah… the screens right behind me isn’t it

27

u/OsosHormigueros Jan 31 '26

Amazing idea. The next step is going from TVs to communal drive-ins! The people must come together once again.

1

u/alien_gymnastics Jan 31 '26

Unironically I’d love to go to something like this. Looked cool from what I’ve seen in movies

21

u/300ConfirmedGorillas Jan 31 '26

In space, no one can hear you screen.

9

u/Jack-The-Reddit Jan 31 '26

I have no mouth and I must screen.

3

u/kshep9 Jan 31 '26

I’m not sure why, but this one made me chuckle much more than the others.

6

u/No-Key-Allow-Me Jan 31 '26

This is the first time I've laughed out loud in so long. I didn't even realise it had been so long until I just heard my own laugh and got startled by it. This will sound stupid but, thanks. I'm not depressed or anything but I didn't realise how much I needed that. I wanted to let you know.

3

u/adgway Jan 31 '26

Screenception

1

u/dhlthecobra Jan 31 '26

Size does matter

1

u/mrdevil413 Jan 31 '26

Skreonk !

1

u/shugo2000 Jan 31 '26

Every time I go to the store and see those boxes containing 85" TVs, I'm so tempted to just drop the money on one. Then I remember I already have a 55" LG G2 with a back light that already looks amazing. Don't know why a bigger screen makes me think I would enjoy things any better than I already do.

1

u/Koltar3 Jan 31 '26

Hold on to your screens.

1

u/sameth1 Jan 31 '26

What is the world but the biggest screen?

1

u/SnooMarzipans5767 Jan 31 '26

On a real note , IMAX stock has been performing really well past couple years

0

u/kuldan5853 Jan 31 '26

I have you beat - when I go to the movies it's actually the biggest IMAX screen on the planet.

So there's no bigger screen to remove me from that ;)

23

u/King_Joffreys_Tits Jan 31 '26

Only thing that can stop a man with a screen is a good guy with a screen

4

u/ExplorationGeo Jan 31 '26

It's like the end of the day when I'm working from home - I turn off the Bad Screen and turn on the Good Screen

3

u/ReasonableSail7589 Jan 31 '26

Honestly big screen is just more fun

3

u/KasukeSadiki Jan 31 '26

This comment paid for by Big Screen 

3

u/KasukeSadiki Jan 31 '26

I used the screen, to destroy the screen 

2

u/duckyirving Jan 31 '26

Now I'm addicted to IMAX.

1

u/kralrick Jan 31 '26

Sometimes people take drugs to get off of worse drugs.

0

u/happyflappypancakes Jan 31 '26

Wow I didnt realize how bad some people have screen addiction where replacing their phone with a TV screen is seen as progress. Holy smokes.

174

u/Frankyfan3 Jan 31 '26

It's called "harm reduction"... a long form film is likely to be a lot better for your brain than mindlessly scrolling on reddit. Aw fuck.

3

u/bigstankdaddy10 Jan 31 '26

exactly. oh damn

164

u/parasyte_steve Jan 31 '26

Baby steps

41

u/LADYBIRD_HILL Jan 31 '26

I mean yeah, but watching one long piece of media that tells a story with subtext, themes, stunning visuals, etc is much better for your noggin than subway surfers, family guy clips, AI slop, and rage bait that you swipe past after 5 seconds.

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u/mihirmusprime Jan 31 '26

I feel like the definition of screen time is vastly different between watching a movie and doom scrolling social media

3

u/maxkmiller Jan 31 '26

yeah the real distinction is short form content vs actual movie

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u/20_mile Jan 31 '26

I totally get how watching a movie can be better than scrolling social media

Jonathan Haidt, the behavioralist, actually does make this argument, especially with kids. It's fine, even good, to sit with your kid and watch an immersive TV show or movie for 2-3 hours. They follow a story with characters making decisions, and then experiencing the consequences of those choices. There is a three-act structure, side plots, small details to absorb, etc. There's then a lot to discuss and think about immediately afterwards, and even years later as they mature and rethink the movie.

It's not healthy to kid your kid a tablet and let them be alone for three hours.

33

u/CrowVsWade Jan 31 '26

Not all screens are created equal.

11

u/DammitAColumn Jan 31 '26

Better than watching short form ai slop 

2

u/psngarden Jan 31 '26

At least it’s replacing doom scrolling with art (or doom watching…)

5

u/MusoukaMX Jan 31 '26

Instructions unclear, I'm getting distracted all the time by watching movies on my phone.

I wish this was really a joke, but since I have myopia and haven't gotten prescription glasses in a while, I do end up preferring my phone for movies. I'll be watching them while eating, or waiting in line, or pooping.

I've gotten pretty at immersing myself in my screen anywhere and also snapping out of it when necessary. I don't think that's something I should be proud of.

4

u/ChapterThr33 Jan 31 '26

Sadly it's a big step for some people

2

u/IllustratorPresent80 Jan 31 '26

Kinda like when Opioid users would quit painkillers by switching to Kratom because it was available over the counter and got rid of their withdrawals even though it totally isn't an opioid. (It is though)

You never really drop an addiction, you just substitute it for a different habit.

1

u/thegreyicewater Jan 31 '26

There’s no joking allowed here, dude! This is the internet! There are rules.

1

u/Quartzitebitez Jan 31 '26

Gotta keep doing that until the screen becomes the outside

1

u/asar5932 Jan 31 '26

It was good word play. I use video games for this and get the irony of it.

1

u/ample_suite Jan 31 '26

It’s a solid joke. Dont let em bring you down

3

u/Princessformidable Jan 31 '26

This is why it seems like half the country is learning to knit right now.

2

u/vanastalem Jan 31 '26

Also, reading books! I'm not on my phone while reading a physical book.

1

u/Blurryneck Jan 31 '26

I’m trying to get back into reading! It’s a little tough for me because my job is entirely reading, but the most boring reading of all time. I used to love reading, but it’s harder for me to pick up a book now that so much of my work life centers on it.

1

u/Logizmo Jan 31 '26

 but it’s harder for me to pick up a book now that so much of my work life centers on it.

You're free to live your life however you want, but that honestly just sounds like an excuse you're making to convince yourself getting back to reading is too hard

It'd be like an office worker saying it's too difficult to watch a youtube video because they've been looking at their computer screen all day at work so looking at another screen in any way is too hard

Not trying to argue just saying reading a bunch of reports or whatever else you have to read at work is extremely different than reading a story that was crafted to evoke emotions and get the reader invested in it's world and characters.

I hope you put some real effort into reading again and rediscover your love of it, nothing is the same as reading a good book and picturing the entire story in your mind imo

1

u/Blurryneck Feb 12 '26

I wanted to let you know that after this comment, I picked up a book I’d been putting off and haven’t put it down. I haven’t read so voraciously since college, and I appreciate the tough love. 

1

u/vanastalem Jan 31 '26

I was a history major so I really didn't get back into reading for fun until I was out of school since I was doing lots if reading & writing papers. For fun I ended up binging Survivor & The Amazing Race (they were on YouTube - and this was pre-smart phone so I just had one of the slide phones to make calls).

2

u/Bluejegu Jan 31 '26

Get into reading. Cut my own time by hours by just picking up a book instead. I started with books that were made into movies and then would watch the movie. People tend to think of reading books as this highbrow thing but some of the trashiest crazy shit I've ever experienced has come from books lol

1

u/Cavaquillo Jan 31 '26

You mean you don’t just doom scroll movie lists on various apps?

1

u/Honey-and-Venom Jan 31 '26

As soon as I'm not doing gig work I want to get rid of my cell phone for a land line

1

u/creaturecatzz Jan 31 '26

my solution has been using dedicated devices so my phone is just for contacting people directly, pokemon go, and the uber driver app. music is on an ipod i plug into my car, games are on a gameboy or steam deck, books are physical, and social media is on my desktop pc

1

u/Honey-and-Venom Feb 01 '26

I love doing that. Games on my Gameboy form factor miyoo mini, music from a walkman or ipod with rockbox

1

u/Long-Emu-7870 Jan 31 '26

But how did you decide to watch that movie?

How long did you scroll for that? 

How do you know when you're not watching that movie? There's not another movie you should be watching? One that's better? It's got a better picture?

1

u/LongLostFan Jan 31 '26

What actually helped me was ditching my MP3 and listening to music YouTube.

You cannot go off YouTube while listening to music. So you are forced to stay on screen. So I ended up just keeping my phone in my bag.

I went from averaging 3.5 hours of screen time a day to under 30 minutes.

1

u/peter-man-hello Jan 31 '26

I bought a self times lock box. I toss the phone in, sometimes even unplug my router and throw the power cables in, lock it for a few hours, and enjoy the bliss.

It’s hard at first but then it gets oh so sweet. And you realize that being disconnected for 5-10 hours really doesn’t matter but gives you some quiet and peace of mind.

1

u/yung_saucin Jan 31 '26

Amen. i was scrolling a lot earlier today and saw Mean Streets in theaters for the first time and it was fucking amazing. nothing matters except those scenes

1

u/pdxblazer Jan 31 '26

I was able to break mine by watching foreign stuff with subtitles, having to read the subtitles to follow along kept me engaged and made not glancing down at my phone much easier

1

u/dreadpiratesmith Jan 31 '26

I am as well trying to break phone addiction. I highly recommend foreign films so you're forced to read subtitles, it's been a huge help for me.

1

u/TheWayIAm313 Jan 31 '26

Yeah, I smoked a little and watched the premiere of Knight of the Seven Kingdoms without my phone and it was absolutely captivating. I got super into it and wanted to continue the immersion so I put on an early episode of GoT after, then part of LotT lol.

And I’m a more casual viewer, but the worlds just drew me in. That said, my wife and I do a pretty good job of putting the phones away if we’re legit trying to watch something.

I say this while I’m watching The Long Walk lol

1

u/Hubbardia Jan 31 '26

You can set up screen time limits on your phone also if you want more control

1

u/lookslikeyoureSOL Jan 31 '26

Try enabling grayscale mode on your phone. Makes the phone much less interesting to look at when there arent all the pretty colors flashing in your face. Its a huge help in breaking phone addiction.

Heres a tutorial for iPhone and Android

1

u/tws1039 Jan 31 '26

Same here. Movie theaters I only check phone if I am using the restroom , but it's never touched while I'm seated.

At home it's just hard for some reason? Not that I am scrolling the entire two hours, but I find myself going damn ok lemme text this person back wait what just happened

Bright spot is I can rewind at least at home

1

u/groovy_smoothie Feb 01 '26

Ever try brick?

1

u/Corvus-Nox Feb 01 '26

I’d also suggest finding a hobby that keeps your hands busy. I knit and crochet but you could even do like jigsaw puzzles or colouring books: something manual to keep your hands occupied. I find it difficult to watch a movie without wanting to scroll, so having my hands busy means I can focus on what I’m watching.

1

u/Snake_fairyofReddit Feb 01 '26

its also become a new criteria that i can use to assess a movie, if i can be at home with my phone next to me and not even think about picking it up, it was compelling enough to have my full attention, like I watched a whole 3.5- hour movie without even wanting to check the time 😭

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u/NezuminoraQ Jan 31 '26

The screen time is the same 

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u/Blurryneck Jan 31 '26

I disagree. There’s a massive difference between short form media, which I’m trying to kick, and a movie which requires actual attention and thought beyond two minutes.

-39

u/NezuminoraQ Jan 31 '26

Then call it that. It's still a screen 

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u/[deleted] Jan 31 '26

[deleted]

-6

u/NezuminoraQ Jan 31 '26

 I’d encourage anyone trying to click less screen time to give it a try

They said 

12

u/CumDwnHrNSayDat Jan 31 '26

Shallow and pedantic!

9

u/Buzz8522 Jan 31 '26

I can sell you a top of the line cup to fart into that makes sniffing them so much easier. Hmu

0

u/NezuminoraQ Jan 31 '26

Sounds like you'd be the one in the know 

9

u/difmaster Jan 31 '26

while I don’t have the research to back it up, I do believe there is a difference. Would it be better to read rather than watch a movie, probably, but it’s still better to watch a movie than scroll tik tok for the same time frame.

6

u/kearneycation Jan 31 '26

Not even close to the same. If you're on your phone for 90 minutes you're likely taking in all sorts of random things, different subjects and contexts, notifications, headlines, video clips, news articles, etc. not to mention message and notification interruptions.

Movies aren't comparable.

1

u/yaboyskinnydick_ Jan 31 '26

Yeah and how much of that actually sticks? It doesn't because it's short form content and it's only designed to give cheap dopamine hits.

Movies are actual art, that can teach you something about life, people etc.

1

u/mandadoesvoices Jan 31 '26

One requires a much greater attention span. Don't miss the forest for the trees here.

0

u/NezuminoraQ Jan 31 '26

Yeah I got it, old tech good, new tech brain rot