New TV? Maybe. I'd be willing to bet that far more than half of those that said they couldn't afford the $400 (which is sad, and another thread entirely) already own a TV...
Well, this whole discussion is about buying a new big screen TV that comes even close to a theatrical experience.
And even all of that aside, not sure why it's affordable to go out and spend 50-100+ on a single movie when $250 once plus $20 a disc (or Netflix, or whatever you want to use) gets you a ton more. Literally break even after a couple movies, and I'd argue far before since very few households don't own a tv already...
First off, several smaller amounts are easier to work into a budget than one big amount. Spending 12 dollars a month for Netflix isn't a problem, spending 144 dollars a year would definitely hurt that one month until the next paycheck arrives. Especially for those who have other fixed expenses like medication.
Second, going to the movies is a social experience, as well. And, as we notice during this pandemic, we definitely need social experiences. If you can't go to the movies, you'll spend money in a bar, or doing some other activity.
Also, 2020 aside, only 14 percent of American adults go to the movies at least once per month, with 46 percent going once per year or less. So you can't really tell them "stop going to the movies, save that money up, then buy a big screen TV".
But that's the last I'll say to that. We've come very off-topic and are awfully close to getting into politics, and I don't want to see the thread shut down.