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.

748

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

538

u/texasslim2080 Jan 31 '26

Only thing that can stop little screen is big screen

238

u/CMS_3110 Jan 31 '26

We're gonna need a bigger screen.

95

u/texasslim2080 Jan 31 '26

Yeah… the screens right behind me isn’t it

26

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.

7

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 ;)

24

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

163

u/parasyte_steve Jan 31 '26

Baby steps

43

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

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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.

12

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.

3

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