Can Singapore’s cinemas survive the streaming era? Industry insiders weigh in

Remember when going to the cinema was the default way to catch the latest blockbuster? Today, with Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and countless other streaming platforms just a click away, watching a film has never been more convenient.

It’s no surprise then that many people are wondering whether cinemas still have a place in today’s entertainment landscape. But according to those working across Singapore’s film industry, the future of cinemas isn’t about competing with streaming. Instead, it’s about offering something audiences simply can’t get at home.

Cinema trips have become more intentional

While streaming has changed viewing habits, it hasn’t eliminated the desire to watch films on the big screen.

According to a spokesperson for Golden Village, audiences today are simply becoming more intentional about what they choose to watch.

“Cinema going has become more intentional. People are more selective about what they choose to watch on the big screen,” says the spokesperson.

The biggest draw, they explain, continues to be compelling stories. During the screenings of Dear You, Golden Village saw moviegoers returning after more than a decade because the film resonated deeply with them. It also attracted audiences across multiple generations, with younger viewers bringing along their parents and grandparents.

The spokesperson also points to the success of films such as How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, Ne Zha 2, Colony, Backrooms and Obsession as proof that audiences are willing to leave home for the right film, regardless of whether it comes from Hollywood or Asia.

“Ultimately, content remains the biggest driver. When films connect with audiences emotionally or culturally, people will still choose to experience them on the big screen.”

The cinema experience still can’t be replicated

For Dave Tan, filmmaker, watching a film in a cinema offers something streaming simply cannot.

“There’s something profound about a collective consciousness when watching a film in a cinema with other people,” he says. “There’s a synchronous elevated intensity to the way you interpret and feel. It reminds you what it means to be human.”

For Tan, going to the cinema is also about making a conscious decision to fully immerse yourself in a story.

“The fact that you make a commitment and investment to give your undivided attention to a film with no distractions. You really allow the film to speak to you, and get to experience and appreciate all its nuances as the filmmakers intended, which can lead to a greater appreciation of the craft.”

That isn’t to say streaming has been entirely negative. Tan believes it has created new opportunities for storytelling, particularly through limited series that allow narratives to unfold over a longer period.

“I see a lot more stories presented as limited series, which I think is great. It allows for more compelling narratives that can take you on a prolonged adventure,” he says. “But I do hope the charm of standalone films will never be taken for granted.”

Why cinemas still matter for local filmmaking

Streaming has also changed audience expectations, says Karen Khoo-Toohey, Executive Producer at Chuan Pictures, who believes viewers are now looking for stories that truly resonate.

“I definitely feel that with the influx of easily accessible platforms, audiences look out more for quality content that strikes a chord personally.”

She also believes the closure of cinemas can have wider implications for Singapore’s film industry beyond simply reducing the number of places to watch a movie.

“The closure of cinemas poses the difficulty of putting your film in theatres as there are always bigger and more profitable films for the theatres,” she says.

“It’s a vicious cycle: small market, small budget versus big markets and huge budgets. Unless the film is exceptional and can make its mark before coming back to Singapore. But I’m glad to see peers still persisting. It’s very admirable.”

Even so, Khoo-Toohey remains optimistic that cinemas will continue to have a place.

“Personally, the feeling of sitting in a cinema and having a community experience is very special and should be something that should never be taken away for our future generations.”

She points to several recent box office successes as proof that audiences still want to gather for the right stories.

“Whether they started from being a YouTuber or a tale that resonates with the elderly, audiences still want a reason to have that shared experience with each other.”

More than just movies

Cinemas themselves are also adapting to changing entertainment habits.

Beyond traditional film screenings, the Golden Village spokesperson says audiences are increasingly embracing fan screenings, anime releases, live broadcasts, VR concerts, K-pop events and private bookings.

“There is an energy that simply can’t be recreated at home,” says the spokesperson. “People increasingly want to be part of cultural moments as they happen, rather than catching up later.”

Rather than replacing films, these experiences complement the way audiences consume entertainment today, transforming cinemas into destinations for shared moments rather than simply places to watch a movie.

This confidence is also reflected in Golden Village’s continued investment in the cinema experience, with the company opening four new locations since 2023 at Bugis+, Cineleisure, Downtown East and Century Square.

“Films will always remain at the heart of what we do, but cinemas today can serve many different purposes,” says the spokesperson. “As long as people continue to value shared experiences, we believe cinemas will remain an important part of Singapore’s entertainment landscape.”

Streaming may have permanently changed the way we watch films, but perhaps that doesn’t mean cinemas have become obsolete. Instead, they are evolving into something different: spaces where stories become shared experiences.

As Tan puts it, encouraging more people back into cinemas begins with “an appreciation of the craft and effort of filmmaking”. And as long as audiences continue to seek stories that move them, whether it’s a blockbuster, an indie hit or a fan event with fellow enthusiasts, there may always be a place for the big screen.