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Is $30 a reasonable price for the theater experience?

posted 9 months ago by ace2 (545)
33 replies | jump to latest

Setting aside the days when you could just show up and get a $8 evening ticket for a non-preassigned seat. Just relative to other options: do you think $30/each for a matinee with a modest amount of snacks is reasonable? This includes the "convenience fees" required to buy in advance. What about $120 for a family of 4 outing?

You would think the pared down experience ( no craft beers, no fancy seats, just a screen, popcorn and drinks for $5 each) would be making a real comeback. Yet dollar theaters are shutting down all over the country.

Why??

[–] Kowalski (60338) 9 months ago

FUCK NO...THAT IS EXPENSIVE...THEATERS WILL DIE...THEY KEEP WORKING TO ENSURE THAT FACT.

[–] db20db (16235) 9 months ago

It is! The last time I went to a theater at a local mall (pre-pandemic), I paid $4 for a matinee ticket.

[–] ColumboKate (5330) 9 months ago

The mark up on popcorn is ridiculous. I can buy a 500g bag of popcorn kernals for 90p. The wholesale cost is probably half that. That bag would make enough for about 8 or 9 cinema size buckets. But to buy one bucket is about £8 where I live. Crazy pricing.

I've not been to the cinema in years. I miss it. I used to go every week in my late teens, but it's just a waste of money to me now. I'll just rent it in 2 months when it's out for streaming 😕.

[–] Bloodshot77 (9938) 9 months ago

I wait till it's on HBO

Signed, million man.

[–] db20db (16235) 9 months ago

I sort of miss it also. I developed a love for movies and theaters very early in life, even worked in one as an usher during my teen years.

My local library has become very good at procuring new movies within 6 months of their theatrical release and offering them on DVD. Plus, there are the added benefits of their usually having subtitles, I can watch them in the comfort of my home, providing my own snacks and pausing them for a break whenever I want to.

[–] GolfnGuitars (2418) 9 months ago

I didn't pay quite that much when I took my boys to see the Super Mario Bros. movie this past April...but it wasn't far from it. Like ColumboKate mentioned, where they really get you is with the food and drinks.

[–] beavis (3249) 9 months ago

At AMC i get unlimited soda refils for 7 bucks, giant size
Filled it up three times for Oppenheimer, last time is when i left

[–] ace2 (545) 6 months ago

You must have missed a good part of the plot going to the bathroom at that rate. Those large drinks are ridiculously HUGE, LOL.

[–] chilidoggg (13195) 9 months ago

Living in L.A., I think the full freight (no discounts) movie ticket has basically always been about an hour's worth minimum wage.

https://www.paycom.com/resources/blog/minimum-wage-rate-by-state/#:~:text=While%20Washington%20is%20technically%20the,compliant%20and%20ensures%20your%20success.

The minimum wage in California in 2023 is $15.50 (Washington D.C. and Washington state are highest.)

The AMC near me charges $14.49 for a full-price ticket (no premiums, reclining seats, etc.)

The AMC at Universal Studios Hollywood is $19.75 full price (premium everything, I think they give you $10 credit for parking, which may be $10 Tuesday morning or $30 Saturday night.)

[–] parkerbot (5693) 9 months ago

Not for me.

[–] howgamer (3662) 9 months ago

No. Go to the $5 matinee and skip the overpriced concessions (well most of the time).

[–] R_Kane (15828) 6 months ago

Home theater is destroying the dinosaur houses.

[–] AndyKing1967 (34357) 9 months ago

We take our own snacks.