Cineplex says it is bringing back its popular public service announcements, such as “Tommy Texter,” to its pre-shows amid a rise in movie theatre disruptions.
This comes following several complaints from online users claiming that the movie theatre experience has regressed.
On Monday, the movie theatre company confirmed the PSA’s have returned to the big screens.
“Yes, beloved characters like Tommy Texter and Sally Soundtrack will soon be returning to Cineplex pre-shows to remind guests of movie theatre etiquette. The purpose of PSAs like these are to help encourage non-disruptive and positive movie-going experiences for everyone,” a Cineplex spokesperson told Now Toronto.
Over the weekend, TikTok user @themockbuster posted a video saying he noticed Cineplex reintroduced the announcements at his last movie theatre experience.
@themockbuster Thank you for bringing these back. #greenscreen #fyp #canadian #canada_life🇨🇦 #canada🇨🇦 #movies #cineplex #cinema #movie #foryoupage❤️❤️ ♬ Yacht Club – MusicBox
“…It’s been getting so bad where so many people have made complaints that I recently watched a movie and they brought it back because of how bad the quality of watching a movie has become,” he explained.
“In a world where they’re already losing so much money to streaming, having to get someone to pay a premium to watch a movie in theatres when the experience itself has gotten so bad,” he continued.
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He goes on to say that it used to be a “rare occurrence” where people would be talking and texting during a movie, but now, he claims at almost every movie he’s attended, there have been constant disruptions.
“No one can agree to not text or not talk or not disturb each other for at least 90 minutes,” the TikTok user said.
Meanwhile, in the comments, other movie-goers agree.
“I’ve been begging them to bring these back because seeing movies this year has been AWFUL. Not one movie hasn’t been ruined by texters and loud talkers from all sides. I can’t take it anymore,” one TikTok user said.
“Last movie I saw in theaters someone kept pulling their phone out to text with the brightness turned all the way up,” another user commented.
“I swear I CANNOT go to a theatre anymore and not see someone on their phone throughout the whole movie right in front or beside me,” another comment read.
