The movie theater industry is facing a challenging start to 2025, with box office revenues down 6% compared to the same period last year and an additional 8% decline this year. Local theater owners are feeling the pinch due to a lack of major tentpole films and few hits, prompting them to explore various strategies to attract audiences back to cinemas. Theater owners are focusing on improving the cinema experience to lure back moviegoers. Suggestions include cleaner bathrooms, fewer movie trailers, and better food quality. For instance, one theater owner emphasized that dirty bathrooms could deter customers from returning, while another suggested limiting trailers to 15 to 18 minutes to avoid audience complaints. Cinema United CEO Michael O'Leary remains optimistic about the industry's future, citing a robust slate of films expected for the summer and holiday seasons. Upcoming releases such as 'Superman,' 'Jurassic World Rebirth,' and 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' are anticipated to boost attendance. O'Leary also highlighted the importance of Amazon MGM Studios entering the theatrical market, planning to release at least 12 films per year, potentially filling the gap left by 20th Century Fox. Despite the downturn, some theaters are finding success through special events and screenings of classic films. The Frida Cinema in Santa Ana reported a record-breaking first quarter, driven by social media buzz and a mix of classic and new specialty releases. Other theaters are diversifying their offerings with restaurants and additional activities to attract patrons. Cinema United has announced a $2.2 billion investment to update movie theaters, aiming to improve customer experience. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos expressed a contrasting view, suggesting that the post-Covid rebound of live events indicates that movie theaters may not recover, with the theatrical box office down 40 to 50% from pre-COVID levels. During his Oscar acceptance speech, Sean Baker pleaded for more films to be committed to theaters to stop the trend of closures. Meanwhile, MOSI is set to open the country's second-largest digital dome planetarium, powered by 10 digital Christie projectors, on April 1, 2025.