Lights Out

“Is the Death of Movie Theaters Upon Us?” was a headline in Forbes magazine online in mid-June. To be fair, the answer, very quickly, was “probably not,” but it’s notable that the question has been lingering since the pandemic nudged the industry a little closer to the cliff. The time of summer blockbusters is waning: Forbes noted that every single film released in May 2024, combined, made less than “Avengers: Endgame” made in its first eight days of release in 2019.

But the South Fork is bucking this trend, and it’s doing it by creating experiences around moviegoing again, rather than simply counting on the appeal of the big screen and films with big stars.

The new Southampton Playhouse, which will rise from the ashes of the UA Theater on Hill Street in Southampton Village, is just the latest example of investment — but it’s far from alone. The Sag Harbor Cinema has been a shining example of how successful such an undertaking can be (speaking of rising from ashes), and the formula is being repeated in Westhampton Beach at the old Hampton Arts Cinema, which will be revived as a two-screen Sunset Theater.

Even Regal UA East Hampton is holding on, giving the village a summer destination for cinephiles, and the Regal UA Hampton Bays refused to fade to black and turn into a CVS, at least not yet, thanks to new investment from the company, alcohol sales and bilingual fare.

The developments in Sag Harbor and Southampton show ambition to make movie-going an event once again, with bars or cafes attached that allow post-viewing conversations, and lots of space for special events and lectures. Southampton might soon have the smallest IMAX theater to dazzle patrons in a way that typically required a jaunt of some distance to the west.

The truth is, it’s an underrated time to be a movie buff: There are superhero sagas, bombastic action films, and smaller, well-crafted delights coming out of dozens of studios all over the world. Streaming is encouraging a creative explosion, with diverse voices and unique viewpoints.

It’s a great time to go to the movies — along with live theater, music and art, it’s one of the eclectic offerings that makes the region such a buffet of culture. It’s nice to know there are still a few places that will go dark — and let the magic begin.