Is the Movie Intermission Back?

Like everything, the cinema moves in cycles. Genre's change, themes come and go, moviemaking evolves, as does viewership. One of the traditions of viewing entertainment is the intermission.

It's a good thing, bring it back.

Intermissions or commercial breaks are commonplace in live theater, operas, sporting events, even concerts, but the tradition of intermission at cinemas has faded over time. 

In the 1950's going to the movies was to see a double feature. Two movies screened back-to-back. With an intermission between features. But the movies back then were only 90-120 minutes. Those that were longer, had an intermission. 

Today, many movies hit the three-hour mark - some even hit and exceed the 200-minute mark. This makes for a very uncomfortable audience, to the extent that it may preclude them from going to the cinema and waiting to view (stream) the film at home where they can pause or stop the presentation as they wish.

Now, some cinemas are experimenting with bring back the intermission and it seems to be a win-win for the exhibitor and the moviegoer. 

Vue Cinemas, a UK theater chain, brough back the intermission recently for the screening of 'Killers of the Flower Moon' (which is 206 minutes long). The intermission is 15 minutes long which provides patrons the opportunity to stretch their legs, use the restroom, and purchase concession. 

Tim Richards, Vue CEO

"Our recent analysis shows that customers would like to see the return of intermissions, with 74% positive feedback. There aren't many events left where you're sitting in one spot for several hours", says Tim Richards, Vue's chief executive. 

This move, I believe, is necessary given the overlong runtimes of more and more films. The Batman, Avatar: The Way of Water, and Oppenheimer come to mind - which all hit the three-hour mark.

Directors of these films, and they are hitting the silver screen with more frequency, defend the long runtimes as required to 'tell' the story...and they're right. Most of the highest grossing films in history fall between the two- and three-hour range (Titanic, Gone With the Wind, Ben-Hur, Godfather II) Now, even superhero franchises routinely hit the 140–150-minute mark.

So, it's not surprising that audiences want the intermission brought back. This 'tradition' is more considerate to the cinemagoer and might very well lure consumers back to enjoying the 'cinema experience'.

According to Tim Richards, "The issue wasn't long films but how cinemas can make the experience better. We had many people write us and say they attended 'The Killers of the Flower Moon' only because we had an intermission." 

Intermissions at cinema presentations isn't new, it's about cinemas offering another customer-friendly element to enhance their movie going experience - and, it appears, a large number enjoy having a break during long duration films. 

Martin Scorsese

I note, with great dismay, that as of Friday, 10/27 Paramount and Apple Original Films have formally informed cinemas that they are required to screen 'Flower Moon' in its entirety without intermissions. Scorsese, stating that having an intermission, "violates" the film's creative vision. C'mon Marty that's BS, you're bigger than that.

When you go to a great Broadway show the intermission doesn't distract from its artistic vision or value. In fact, it may enhance the enjoyment as the audience is more relaxed and anticipates the next part of the 'experience'. 

By: Jim Lavorato, Entertainment Equipment Corp.