Martin Scorsese, the legendary director behind cinematic gems like Goodfellas and Killers of the Flower Moon, has dropped a bombshell for movie lovers: he’s done with watching films in public theaters. The reason? Audiences who can’t seem to put their phones down or keep quiet. In a recent chat with film critic Peter Travers, Scorsese didn’t hold back, venting about moviegoers who “babble on phones, leave to order snacks and vats of soda, and keep up a noise level loud enough to drown out the actors.” It’s a frustration that hits home for anyone who’s tried to enjoy a film while dodging glowing screens or loud chatter.
For Scorsese, a lifelong champion of the big-screen experience, this shift is a big deal. The 81-year-old filmmaker, who stands at 5’4”, also mentioned a practical issue: “I’m short and there’s always a big person in front of me,” making it tough to see the screen. He’s found a workaround in IMAX theaters, where he can sit higher up and take in the film without obstruction. But even then, the “raucous” behavior of modern audiences—talking, moving around, and treating theaters like living rooms—has pushed him away from regular screenings. He fondly recalls the 1950s when audiences might have shouted at the screen, but at least they were engaging with the movie itself, not scrolling through crypto stocks or social media.
It’s no surprise Scorsese’s had enough. Posts on X echo his gripes, with fans describing chaotic theater experiences—think popcorn-throwing kids at A Minecraft Movie or people checking their phones every five minutes during Sinners. One user lamented, “Since mobile phones, the cinema is hell,” while another shared Scorsese’s sentiment, boasting about their own home setup with an 85-inch screen and projector to avoid the hassle. Scorsese, with his private screening rooms, likely enjoys pristine viewing conditions, watching recent films like TÁR and Hereditary in peace. For him, the theater’s magic is fading, replaced by distractions that “break the spell of cinema.”
This isn’t the first time Scorsese’s aired his theater woes. Back in 2024, he told Variety that noisy crowds and his height make public screenings a challenge, pushing him toward exclusive IMAX showings or waiting for the hype to die down. He’s even admitted to being “put off” by audiences who don’t take films seriously, a sentiment that stings for a director who sees cinema as sacred. The rise of streaming and shorter attention spans hasn’t helped, with Scorsese noting that the communal experience he once cherished is now a gamble—you never know if you’ll get a respectful crowd or a rowdy one.
While Scorsese’s absence from theaters is a loss for the shared moviegoing vibe, it’s hard to blame him. His love for cinema hasn’t dimmed—he’s still urging theater owners to champion indie films and keep the art form alive. But when audiences treat theaters like a free-for-all, even a legend like Scorsese would rather stay home. Maybe it’s time for moviegoers to step up, silence their phones, and let the screen work its magic again.
Source: World of Reel