They’re universally recognized as totally uncomfortable and everyone I know hates to sit in them, so why do movie theaters even bother to install the first couple rows that are utterly impossible to enjoy a movie from?
ThereIsAThingForThat: Because people sit in them, which allows them to receive more money when they sell out all their seats.
semicolonCloseParen: To give it some justification, the worst seat in the house only has to be good enough that the customer who has to sit there isn’t so disappointed they stop going to the theater. Also, with so many theaters going “deluxe” with reclining seats, the front row can recline far enough that it’s less bad.
aluvus: A friend of mine used to always push for sitting in the front row because it was “immersive”.
We later learned his vision was bad enough that he could not read a blackboard from the second row of a classroom.
jedidiahrose: Well, if you remove the front row of a movie theater you are left with another front row. Now, obviously you would have to repeat this until there is no front row, which means every row after the one you just removed, would also have to be removed. Now you’ve reached the end of the theater, and you have no more rows, no more seats. All you have is the cold hard floor, now which would you prefer? A theater with a front row or the cold hard ground.
twiggez-vous: If you take out the first two rows, then the next two rows become the first two rows.
andersonenvy: You have to have a front row. There is no way to have rows without a front row.
edrazzar: See, I’m the type of person that actually likes sitting in the front row. No worries about kicking people with my feet, I can slouch in the chair as deep as I want, and there isn’t anyone else sitting near me.
Ramquat: The theater chain Alamo drafthouse just redid all their seats and the front row is now a big recliner with lots of space making the front row not all that bad! At least a couple near me did anyhow.
making_mischief: I often see movies with a family member who needs lots of space and legroom. Front rows are great for that.
deaththekid922: if many want to see a Movie they will even sit in those rows , also you cant really move the screen closer to a higher up row so the front row would just be unused space , so why not have seats there
yeah_but_no: Money
seedlessgiraffes: For that one guy that enjoys making his neck hurt for 3 weeks. Obviously.
HiddenMunchlax: If you consider the costs and benefits of this situation, it’s much better to have a front row then not. Creating an extra row of chairs would cost quite little to a cinema, and maintaining chairs are also quite cheap. However having those chairs, although unpopular, still being bring in extra money.
mynameisalso: How can you have any row without a front row?
mr_lab_rat: The same reason why there is very little legroom between plane seats – cramming more people in = $$$
creakingknees: My wife and I had to sit in the very front row for Brokeback Mountain because the theater was almost full and they were still selling tickets. We had no idea we’d have to sit there. Ummmm, and what a movie to be that up close and personal…..