Why do streaming platforms charge for so many of the older movies that weren't even huge hits?

I decided I'd like to watch Housesitter with Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn again, but it is only available if you pay to rent. I've had that happen a few times lately with movies that I don't suspect were exceedingly popular. I could pay it. I simply don't want to. So on to something else. Funny, I could always find something to watch as a kid, despite having only 3 channels and that was on a good day - sometimes just 2! Now, I've got 4,000 channels and nothing to watch. Lol. Go figure.

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Bellaluna123 · 70-79, F

Because anything is better than what is being put out! It’s sad that we have to pay for the decent, normal, movies! I feel that they are putting out all the negative stuff, so that we will have to pay to see anything remotely better than what is available! That’s to me is pretty greedy.

LadyBronte · 56-60, F

@Bellaluna123 Ugh. Yes. The older movies appeal to me more than the newer ones. In fact, I've been watching a lot of old black and white movies lately. There are so many good ones. I recently watched North by Northwest - a classic for sure, but somehow, through the years, I'd never managed to see it before now.