This past weekend I wanted to go see the
Watchmen movie, but a part of me refused to go see a movie I could probably wait till it comes out on DVD.
This afternoon I came across this article from
Gizmodo with some eye popping numbers about the increase cost of family outings to the movies.
According to the
Gizmodo post, popcorn has increased a whopping 666%. Yes, that number is correct, 666%. At the same time movie tickets increased 66%.
In 1929 the cost of an average movie was $4.32 and popcorn cost $0.62, but today an average movie costs $7.20 while average popcorn costs are now $4.75 per bucket.
Those numbers may be average, which I would gladly pay for, considering NYC is on the extreme side of those numbers.
Here we pay over $11, at most places for movies, and more than the average for popcorn.
It’s exactly the reason why I haven’t been to the theatres in the past 3 months or so.
Movies have always been an outlet for me, but I can’t afford to go on a regular basis like I used to.
It’s just sad that movie ticket prices are increasing while more families are unable to put food on the tables.
But then again movie theatres also have to keep their business running and they can’t do it without charging the extra fees.
Have you cut back on the number of days you go to the movies? How much are movie tickets and popcorn prices in your town or city?
Comments (46)
watch-movies-links.net is the answer.
I still go to the movies. I've been to 4 this year, so that's ABOUT 40 bucks right there. :/ I'm considering to just wait & rent because it is cheaper.. but I don't know yet. When I go to the movies, my friends & I just skip the popcorn & eat after the movie at a good restaurant where we get more for our money.
It's about $12 for one ticket plus $7+ for popcorn. I'd rather rent or watch movies online.
I still go, but go to matinees, its about 2 or 3 dollars cheaper(maybe $6 or $6.50 per ticket as opposed to 9 or 9.50)
I get a large popcorn which seems like a lot at $5 or $5.50 but then I keep getting refills and bring it home!
here's a tip, i've been to see about 3 movies in the past couple months and i've paid $2 total. I watched Friday the Thirteenth, Watchmen, and I Love You Man. How you ask? Three words: Free movie screenings. I use sites such as filmmetro.com and gofobo.com. You have to be on your toes though. If you see a movie you would like to see, make sure that you're on the site 5 minutes before the tickets get released cause they go super fast.
Oh and I paid $2 for the parking when I went to watch I love you man (It was really funny btw). Good Luck! :)
the concession prices at theatres are ridiculous. my friends and i sneak in snacks and drinks now. well i only sneak in drinks, i never liked eating during movies anyway. we save theatre experiences for really special movies, and we get those coupons at costco so we end up paying less for the ticket anyway =)
The last movie I saw was Gran Turino, and I only got to see that because it was my boyfriends mom's birthday and for her birthday she wanted to go see it with everyone. Other then that I don't think I've seen any other movies in at least 6 months if not more. I do work in retail though, so if I wait till it comes out on video I can get it for the cost of 1 cheap movie ticket. Though usually I don't buy them then either. I just don't have time for movies anymore.
Eh, I haven't really cut back on going to the movies. If I like a movie I'll pay for a ticket, but I probably won't buy any food inside. Way too overpriced! Better to just sneak in food.
I hate the movie theater. People disturb you. Floors are sticky. I prefer watching things in the comfort of my own home with the people I love.
In Toronto or Canada we have a SCENE card for Cineplex theatres.. so collect points and we're able to receive discounts on movies/food. But yes, movie tickets are overpriced........... averaging 10-13$ and food at the theatre is almost as much as the ticket lol sighhhhh =O
In Toronto, Its $5 every tuesday so my friend and I always go on tuesday. =D
i never go to watch movies unless i have movie passes ^_^
I never go unless my bf wants to see a movie with me really badly, or vice versa. If I do go, I stay away from the concessions and make sure I eat a meal before I go. I go to matinees mainly, as well as the budget theatre in town, $2.50 every night and $1.50 on Tuesday nights. Pretty sweet deals.
Watchmen sucked. It was more of a softcore porno than an actual movie...
i havent really goneto the movies like that. I usually just wait.
i just watched a movie by myself lol recently and i was totally surprise about with the price $10!!! so expensive in San Diego, California!!!
i just won't go to the movies now lol
I pay about $8+ for a movie ticket. Popcorn is about $7+. I agree with you; it's too expensive especially with how the economy is going. I've definitely cut back on the number of times I go to the movie theater in the past four years. If I do go, I hide bottled drinks and snacks in my large bag.
I'm a former military brat. When I saw movies on base, a movie ticket cost like $4+. But only a few select movies play at specific times.
Tickets are almost $11 for the general public. Discounts are a different story, but that's only approximately a one dollar difference...It's sad, because there are times when several good movies come out at once, and it's just too expensive for me to watch all of them. It's nice when they come out on DVD.
I usually buy candy or a small popcorn (because no one wants to share with me =[). It's slightly smarter to go with candy, though, because popcorn requires a drink x_x. A small popcorn is about $5. I almost feel tears welling up, just thinking about it. Hahah
It's six bucks at our local theatre. I go once a month at most.. I have a gift certificate that I can use next time I go though. :)
At one movie theater for matinee it's $4.75 and another theater it's $7.50. And it's like $9.50 for regular pricing. Popcorn is like $4.75 for a large. But there is also the dollar movie.
What's worse though is that my wife wants to go out but she wants to see some chick flick. She can't stand action and sci fi excitement. So here we are paying a premium to watch people chat each other up, get in and out of their cars and walk down halls. It's a gigantic fricking screen with huge surround sound, do I really need to see that actor's nose hairs? Couldn't that wait until the DVD release? In the meantime now we're tapped out and I can't even afford to go see the latest Batman solo.
Here, we have dollar theaters
it's about $8 to see a movie here in st. louis, if it's at night. now i rarely go to the movies, but my cousin showed me a trick so you don't have to pay as much. if you use the kiosk that prints out your tickets (you need a credit or check card to do this) you can choose the "child's" ticket which is only about $6 and the ushers never check! it's genius. plus you usually don't have to wait in line either.
Yeah i only go to the movies a couple times a year. It really is expensive! Around here it just depends on the theatre. Different companies (and different branches within companies) charge different prices at their theatres. The cheapest here (Ontario, Canada) is about $8.00 for admission and around $5.00 for popcorn. The higher end cinemas are about $12.00 admission and insanity for popcorn! Lately i've been borrowing movies from my local library for free
You should see if there is a late-run movie theater in your area instead. They can be up to four-fifths cheaper for tickets, & one-half cheaper for snacks. You still get really good quality service, yummy food & the theater experience for even cheaper than renting a dvd, in most cases. The only catch is that they show movies halfway between the time they first come out & the time they go on dvd & that they are a bit smaller, but if you can wait a month or two after the first run it's worth it.
They can do it for so cheaply because after the first run of the movie, the production companies have the film reels left over. By renting them to the late-runs for less, they can still make some money before the dvd is released. The late-run theater makes their money off snacks, which is why popcorn prices are still comparable.
In my area, we have a Saver 6 cinema where tickets are always $2 for a matinee & $3 for an evening show, still better than a $4 dvd rental. With the money you save you can buy a $3 medium popcorn. Or you can always bring your own snacks, of course.