Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson thinks audiences should sing along in theaters, but some moviegoers disagree.
Hollywood is moving into full musical season in time for the holidays Evil and Moana 2 released in consecutive weeks full of singing soundtracks.
Rock forces moviegoers to sing! at Moana 2
Speaking to BBC News at the UK premiere Moana 2Dwayne Johnson shared his controversial views on singing in movie theaters, and audiences are getting the green light from the A-list star.
The actor said, “Especially if you love music, it’s the most fun.” encourages moviegoers to attend the latest releases.
He exclaimed how the audience is “paid (their) hard earned money for the ticket” and therefore should be free to sing in musicals:
“Sing! You’ve paid your hard-earned money for a ticket, you’ve gone to a musical and you’re into it. Sing.”
The topic of cinema etiquette has been trending on social media for the past few weeks, especially with the back-to-back releases of the film Evil and Moana 2 start discussions on the topic.
As Vanity Fair reports, AMC Theaters has hung signs during the release Evil ask for participants “Don’t Sing During the Show:”
“To our guests seeing Wicked, we ask that you allow everyone to enjoy the movie experience. Please do not Sing during the show.”
Also, the message shown before the movie announced it “silence is golden” and excluded talking, texting, signing and others:
“At AMC Theatres, silence is golden. No talking. No text messages. No singing. No crying. No flirting. And no naming at all. Enjoy the magic of movies.”
While younger audiences tend to enjoy more interactive theater experiences, adult moviegoers often prefer their theaters to be quiet. As such, Johnson’s latest opinion is sure to be controversial, especially since his massive stardom means many see this as a green light to sing freely in theaters.
Johnson has previously faced controversy for his public opinions, particularly after he regretted endorsing President Biden in the 2020 US election and refused to comment on the 2024 election.
There was also mixed reaction when he criticized IGN for the comparison Black Adambox office Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022.
How should movie theaters resolve the song controversy?
Some moviegoers prefer a quiet experience where they can immerse themselves in the world depicted in front of them, while others find that lively cheering, singing and applause add to the experience.
This culture can vary enormously worldwide. While the US is famous for its raucous theatres, places like the UK prefer a quieter experience.
For some larger musicals, theaters often have special sing-along performances that encourage this practice. These have already been announced Evil, which will hold carols in more than 1,000 U.S. theaters during Christmas (via Variety ), but it’s unclear Moana 2 follow behind.
Various options for silent and more participatory screenings allow theaters to cater to all audiences and should be available for larger releases.
Still Evil a dispute arose X (formerly Twitter), where a viral message with more than 13 million views invited moviegoers “show ur wicked part 1” pictures.
The post sparked a debate about whether audiences should be using their phones in theaters at all, and whether doing so risks harming others’ experiences.
Most cinemas have a policy against recording and the use of electronic devices during screenings due to piracy, but this is not always enforced.
For those who want to sing along Moana 2 without disturbing other moviegoers, the film will be released on Disney+ in the coming months.
Moana 2 hits theaters on Wednesday, November 27.
