The movie theater industry is dying. No matter what executives do, profits just won’t return to pre-pandemic heights. Chain theaters have been hit the hardest.

     Last year, AMC Theaters lost $632 million. With $8 billion in debt already on the books, the company decided it needed to change its business model. The solution? Close underperforming theaters and focus on only the ones that make money. 

     This could be a problem for Shorecrest students. Many rely on the AMC Sundial in downtown St. Pete to go out with friends or watch movies outside of their phones. Fortunately, there’s an alternative: the many independent (indie) movie theaters around Tampa Bay.

     Indie theaters can provide much more variety than chains. Since these theaters typically don’t have contractual obligations to show specific films for specific lengths of time, they can, for the most part, play whatever they want, whenever they want. 

     Green Light Cinema, just a block away from the Sundial, is a perfect example of this freedom. Not only do they show huge, high-profile, Oscar-nominated films like “Sirat” or “Hamnet,” but they’ve also shown more underground titles, like “Nirvanna: the Band – the Show – the Movie.” 

     Green Light also offers a “VHS Club,” where customers can vote for movies they want to see screened at the theater — definitely something to consider if you’re looking for more control over your moviegoing experience. 

     However, one drawback for people who might be familiar with the Sundial is size. The Beach Theater, the biggest indie theater in the area, holds 175 seats. Green Light only has 80. Both locations are dwarfed by the Sundial, which can accommodate over 4,200 people. 

     While a small theater has downsides, there are positives to the experience as well. Fewer seats mean less noise, less interruptions and, most importantly, a greater sense of community.

     Community is a pillar of these theaters. Many of them, like the Beach Theater on St. Pete Beach, offer public non-film events. These events range from stand-up comedy shows to flea markets and are great ways to spend an afternoon or evening.

     Film festivals, however, are the most exciting offerings. Both theaters mentioned above regularly host low or no-price admission film festivals that cover a wide variety of themes, like the nature-centered Wild and Scenic Film Festival or the Trans Film Fest. These can be great, cheap ways to engage with the community and be exposed to new types of film.

     One of the most compelling reasons to visit one of these theaters is the cost. For most high school students, taking a trip to the movies every week can be too expensive, but this is less of an issue at indie theaters.

     The Tampa Theater, an iconic venue built in 1926 in downtown Tampa, for example, offers a second free movie screening for every paid ticket, and the price for paid films averages around $12 — two dollars cheaper than the average AMC ticket. 

     Meanwhile, Green Light prices its tickets at only $10 for students and even offers free popcorn. This means that a movie and small snack costs $11 dollars less at Green Light when compared to AMC. 

     Regardless of whether the Sundial closes or not, AMC is a sinking ship. Right now, they’re only closing theaters, but what’s to stop them from playing more ads or raising the already high ticket and food prices even further in order to remain afloat?

     It’s time to take back the moviegoing experience and support independent theaters.