‘Joker’ Director Todd Phillips Calls for an End to Commercials in Theaters Before Films

In a recent Hollywood poll conducted by Empire magazine, Todd Phillips, known for directing “Joker” and “The Hangover,” voiced his views on the future of cinema. He expressed a strong wish for theaters to eliminate commercials before movie screenings.

Alongside other prominent filmmakers such as George Miller, Sean Baker, and Daniel Scheinert, Phillips believes that while movie theaters will remain relevant, the overall cinematic experience could benefit from some improvements.

George Miller highlighted the human instinct to gather and share stories, stating, “We are hard-wired to gather in the sharing of stories.” He expressed confidence that cinemas are doing their utmost to thrive in a changing entertainment landscape.

In his critique, Phillips urged theaters to enhance the viewing experience by removing commercials, emphasizing that audiences are eager to enjoy the film after purchasing their tickets. He remarked, “Stop showing commercials before the movies.

We’ve paid for our tickets. We’re excited to be there. The commercials tend to take the air out of the room.” Daniel Scheinert, the Oscar-winning co-director of “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” underscored the importance of theaters as community spaces, asserting that they fulfill a deep-seated need for social interaction.

He remarked on the joy of audiences dressing up for movies and sharing their experiences afterward, linking it to the viral appeal of Nicole Kidman’s iconic AMC Theatres advertisement.

Currently, Phillips is in theaters with the sequel “Joker: Folie à Deux,” which, despite its release on October 4, has faced challenges in achieving the original film’s blockbuster success, accumulating $201 million worldwide. The sequel is also available for viewing at home on PVOD platforms.