The audience was trained to do this during COVID. Heck, I do it myself. I'm a huge fan of Guardians of the Galaxy and loved the first two films but the wife isn't a huge fan but instead of finding time to just go and see it myself I just decided to wait a few months and watch it on Disney +. And I did the same with the Flash, normally I would have gone to see that but why when I can watch it when ever I want at home if I just wait?
And I'm hardly alone.
This is something I think studios are going to have to think about when they doll out their money to directors.