At the Time100 Summit, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos confidently asserted that the streaming giant is "saving Hollywood," despite the ongoing challenges facing the traditional film industry. He emphasized Netflix's consumer-centric approach, stating, "We deliver the program to you in a way you want to watch it." Sarandos acknowledged the decline in box office sales and suggested that audiences prefer watching movies at home. While he expressed personal fondness for theatergoing, he described it as "an outmoded idea for most people."

Given Sarandos's position at Netflix, it's unsurprising that he champions streaming over traditional cinema. Hollywood's struggles are evident, with even reliable hits like Marvel films experiencing fluctuating success, while family-oriented and video game-based movies like "Inside Out 2" and "A Minecraft Movie" are helping to sustain the industry.

The debate over the relevance of movie theaters continues. Last year, actor Willem Dafoe lamented the shift away from cinemas, highlighting the different level of attention and social engagement that home viewing lacks. He expressed concern that more challenging films suffer when audiences aren't fully engaged, missing out on the communal experience of cinema-going.

Filmmaker Steven Soderbergh, in 2022, offered a more optimistic view on the future of theaters. He believes that despite the rise of streaming, there remains an appeal to seeing movies in theaters. Soderbergh stressed the importance of attracting younger audiences to sustain the cinematic experience, focusing on programming and engagement to keep theaters relevant.

In summary, while Sarandos sees Netflix as Hollywood's savior and theatergoing as outdated, respected figures like Dafoe and Soderbergh highlight the unique value and potential longevity of the cinematic experience.