At the Time100 Summit, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos made a bold statement about the future of Hollywood, asserting that the streaming giant is "saving Hollywood." Despite the challenges faced by the film industry, such as the exodus of production from Los Angeles, the shrinking theatrical window, declining audience experience, and inconsistent box office performance, Sarandos remains steadfast in his belief that Netflix is the industry's savior. "No, we're saving Hollywood," he declared, emphasizing Netflix's commitment to being "a very consumer-focused company." He further explained, "We deliver the program to you in a way you want to watch it."

Sarandos also touched upon the declining box office sales, suggesting that the trend indicates a shift in consumer preference towards watching movies at home. While he expressed personal fondness for the theater experience, he believes that for most people, the idea of theatergoing is "an outmoded idea." This perspective aligns with Netflix's business model, which prioritizes streaming over traditional cinema visits.

Hollywood's challenges are evident, with films like "Inside Out 2" and "A Minecraft Movie" driving the industry forward, while even the once-reliable Marvel blockbusters experience fluctuating success. The notion that cinema attendance is becoming outdated is further supported by comments from actor Willem Dafoe, who lamented the closure of cinemas and the different level of attention movies receive at home. "Which is tragic, because the kind of attention that people give at home isn’t the same," Dafoe remarked, highlighting the social aspect of cinema-going that is lost in the home viewing experience.

Dafoe also pointed out the impact on more challenging films, which struggle to engage audiences at home in the same way they can in a theater setting. He misses the communal experience of discussing movies after a screening, a practice that has diminished with the rise of streaming. "More difficult movies, more challenging movies can not do as well, when you don’t have an audience that’s really paying attention," he said.

In 2022, filmmaker Steven Soderbergh shared his perspective on the future of movie theaters in the streaming era. He acknowledged the ongoing appeal of the cinema experience but emphasized the need to engage younger audiences to ensure its longevity. "There's still an appeal to seeing a movie in a movie theater," Soderbergh stated, recognizing the value of theaters as a destination. He stressed the importance of programming and engagement to keep theaters relevant, noting that attracting older audiences is crucial. "It has nothing to do with windowing," he added, suggesting that the focus should be on the overall experience rather than the timing of releases.