The future of cinemas seems uncertain worldwide. PVR Inox, the largest theatre chain in India, reported a net loss of ₹180 crore in the most recent quarter, a 119% increase year-on-year, with net sales falling 8.75% to ₹1,190 crore. This trend isn’t unique to India. AMC Theatres, the largest theatre chain in the US, reported a net loss of $32.8 million, with sales declining 31% to $1.030 billion in the same period.

During a recent visit to Singapore, I tried the Apple Vision Pro, primarily to explore its entertainment capabilities. The experience was astonishing. The level of immersion and quality surpassed anything I’d experienced before. I could choose different environments while watching a movie, and the quality on services such as Disney+ and Apple TV+ made me feel like I was in a theatre.

Despite being a big fan of movie theatres and visiting them almost every week, I couldn’t help but wonder about the future of theatres after experiencing the Vision Pro. While VR and AR are often discussed in the context of work, the current setups are generally adequate for work-related tasks. Entertainment, however, seems ripe for disruption. Although convenient, home setups don’t match the theatre experience—until now.

The Vision Pro can deliver a theatre-quality experience at home, posing a challenge to the future of theatres. Currently, the headset’s priced at more than $3,000, making it inaccessible for most people. However, reports indicate Apple is developing a cheaper version of the Vision Pro, potentially costing as little as an iPhone, while maintaining the same high-quality displays. This could make the groundbreaking entertainment experience more accessible.

As technology and displays improve, we can expect even better resolutions, further enhancing the experience. Additionally, many entertainment conglomerates are focusing more on streaming services and less on the theatrical release of movies. Movies are now being released digitally much sooner after their theatrical debut, shortening the theatrical cycle to unprecedented lengths. This shift in focus by entertainment companies towards streaming services underscores the potential decline of theatres.

While theatres have long been the gold standard for movie watching, advancements like the Apple Vision Pro offer an immersive and high-quality alternative at home. As new technologies become more affordable and widely available, they will likely continue to reshape how we consume entertainment. The convenience and immersive quality of devices like the Vision Pro might eventually surpass the theatre experience for many.