Netflix's Ted Sarandos Says Movie Theaters Are “An Outmoded Idea For Most People”

Netflix is the largest streamer in Hollywood and getting bigger every day. Their influence is vast, so much so that they're put along companies like Facebook, Amazon, and Google when it comes to their reach. The company’s co-CEO, Ted Sarandos, was recently at the TIME100 Summit, where he was grilled about the streamer's place in the world. With productions and people fleeing Los Angeles due to rising prices and sinking working rates, he was asked if the company was responsible. Sarandos put it simply: “No, we’re saving Hollywood.”Sarandos then described Netflix as “a very consumer-focused company. We deliver the program to you in a way you want to watch it.”We all know the theatrical exhibition industry is in some trouble. People are hoping this springs back this year, but Sarandos addressed this head-on. He said, “What is the consumer trying to tell us?” He then answered with, “That they’d like to watch movies at home.”And this lack of going to the theater is where companies like Netflix thrive. They're making things specifically to watch at home. And a boisterous box office has no interest to them, even as some of the directors they're working with are making deals that ask for theatrical, like Greta Gerwig's Narnia. Going to the movies is one of those sacred communal experiences that feels like it's never going to get old. When asked about the communal aspect of theatrical moviegoing, Sarandos said, “I believe it is an outmoded idea, for most people — not for everybody.”Without data to back that up, it seems like a hyperbolic statement, especially as we see people showing up for movies like Sinners. The box office is down, but we just hit five years since COVID, and many models said it would take this long for the economy to recover. That's where we're at, and it's easy to see that when Hollywood produces movies people want to see, they show up for them. It would be nice if Netflix's relationships with Hollywood and theaters were less combative and more supportive. It often feels like they leave money on the table by not putting movies in theaters to reap the benefits. When you have a company this big, you want it to help protect everyone and their jobs. You want it to create vast opportunities. Right now, it feels like a place like Netflix is keeping everything in house to make sure the rest of the world dies, so everyone is forced to take refuge within them. Let us know how you feel about the company and the issues at hand.

Apr 24, 2025 - 19:14

Netflix's Ted Sarandos Says Movie Theaters Are “An Outmoded Idea For Most People”

Netflix is the largest streamer in Hollywood and getting bigger every day. Their influence is vast, so much so that they're put along companies like Facebook, Amazon, and Google when it comes to their reach.

The company’s co-CEO, Ted Sarandos, was recently at the TIME100 Summit, where he was grilled about the streamer's place in the world.

With productions and people fleeing Los Angeles due to rising prices and sinking working rates, he was asked if the company was responsible.

Sarandos put it simply: “No, we’re saving Hollywood.”

Sarandos then described Netflix as “a very consumer-focused company. We deliver the program to you in a way you want to watch it.”

We all know the theatrical exhibition industry is in some trouble. People are hoping this springs back this year, but Sarandos addressed this head-on.

He said, “What is the consumer trying to tell us?” He then answered with, “That they’d like to watch movies at home.”

And this lack of going to the theater is where companies like Netflix thrive. They're making things specifically to watch at home. And a boisterous box office has no interest to them, even as some of the directors they're working with are making deals that ask for theatrical, like Greta Gerwig's Narnia.

Going to the movies is one of those sacred communal experiences that feels like it's never going to get old.

When asked about the communal aspect of theatrical moviegoing, Sarandos said, “I believe it is an outmoded idea, for most people — not for everybody.”

Without data to back that up, it seems like a hyperbolic statement, especially as we see people showing up for movies like Sinners. The box office is down, but we just hit five years since COVID, and many models said it would take this long for the economy to recover. That's where we're at, and it's easy to see that when Hollywood produces movies people want to see, they show up for them.

It would be nice if Netflix's relationships with Hollywood and theaters were less combative and more supportive. It often feels like they leave money on the table by not putting movies in theaters to reap the benefits.

When you have a company this big, you want it to help protect everyone and their jobs. You want it to create vast opportunities. Right now, it feels like a place like Netflix is keeping everything in house to make sure the rest of the world dies, so everyone is forced to take refuge within them.

Let us know how you feel about the company and the issues at hand.