Letter of the Week: Are Movie Prices Too High?

That's one of the reasons why I mostly don't go to theatres to watch
movies, mostly instead I go to my local library to borrow DVDs for
free.

Not only that, I DO agree with you - the ticket prices are
WAAAAAYYYYYY to high, as well as the snacks and drinks. For example:
last time that me and a best friend went to Cinemark in Valley View,
OH to watch Death Race, one of the things that I noticed is: they
charge $4.00 for a Vitamin Water, when I can at least get one at my
local store for a buck something. Even worse, they won't let you bring
your food or drink, and that's why many movie theatres make a lot of
money these days. And as far as snacks over there goes, try to skip
them, and make a time to go to your nearest restaurant, have dinner
there, and THEN go to the movie of your choice, and make sure that you
have enough money left for a drink.

an average movie ticket in nyc is closer to $11, which is why i rarely
see movies in the theater anymore. i couldn't agree with you more,
but the free market will prevail, and if the price is too high, it
will come down, if it is sufficient, it will stay or continue to go
up, there's no getting around that.

I have this vision of Mary Steenburgen in the sequel to "A Christmas
Story," throwing her china at the theater manager.

Ticket prices are exorbitant, concessions prices are worse.
Especially in the face of an increasingly rude theater-going public: I
do not remember the last time I sat through a movie without some kind
of disruption: personal conversations, cell phone use, etc.

I do miss the bigger-than-life screen of the theater and the great
sound -- when you can hear it -- but these days most of my
discretionary income is going towards petroleum distillates. So when
I do fork over the cash for leisure activities, I want quality for my
quantity.

I totally agree! I love how earlier this year the big film companies
were in such a quandry about why ticket sales were down. I thought at
the time, it's because many people are choosing not to go - it's just
too expensive!
My husband and I used to go at least once a month and that was five
years ago, but now we may go 3-4 times a year, if that. Most of the
movies are just not worth the price (in my ever so humble opinion).

Thanks for posting this!

Hello, as i was used to going to even the "cheap" theatres or even a
good movie a couple times a month (which was about 5 or 6 years
ago..., i since then have stopped and maybe saw 3 or 4 movies at an
actual movie theatre since!

The reason for my lack of attendance at any movie theatre now is
because of the said prices, i live in canada and it costs $9.00 for a
movie ticket and then about that same amount for drink, popcorn etc...
and i do believe that by raising the prices the movie industry is
actually just killing themselves!

Ever wonder when piracy, illegal downloading, and all that actually
began, ..probably began when the theatres raised their prices..
correct? So it would stand to reason that the movie industry could and
would reduce illegal downloading and such by lowering their theatre
pricing back a bit, maybe by a dollar even and then reduce concession
prices, so instead of paying $16 - $18 dollars for a movie experience,
lower it down to $14 to $16 dollars, i know it doesnt sound like much,
but we cant expect them to lower it much more . but if they showed a
bit of latitude in this area, they might see a rise in theatre
attendance thus helping them DETER the illegal side downloading... ..
that is just my opinion, feel free to respond

Look for movie theaters with matinees. There's a place about 45 min.
from me (I live in the country) which sells tickets for $2.00 on
weekends if you go between 2:00p.m. and 6:00p.m.. My 3 kids and I
recently went to see Scary Movie 4 for $8.00 - plus gas-UGGHH! Funny
movie BTW.

Many movie theatre chains have discount or second run theatres where
they only charge mabey a buck or two to go see a movie. I do this
quite often and by the time i pay for the movie and get a popcorn and
drink it comes out to about what the price of a movie ticket at a
first run theatre.

I feel a little guilty reading these letters as I enjoy the benefit of
receiving a "senior discount" at the movie theater. This effectively
drops the price by about a buck and a half. That said, I do agree
ticket prices are getting way out of hand, and I do think consumers
who are subjected to the ads should be compensated for their attention
with movie discounts.

As long as we're talking about prices, I'd be remiss to let the
popcorn off the hook. $5 for bucket of buttered and heated corn
feels a bit exploitative.

The Ad-Man speaks.

Friday my wife and i went and saw united 93 at her request. we spent
$29.00 on 2 matinee tickets, 2 sodas, and 1 popcorn that we shared.
The soda and popcorn were a bundle that saves you several dollars and
it was still $29 total for the movie. I would much rather stay at home
and watch the movie on my couch with whatever consessions i want and
be able to have the control over my surround sound. It should also be
brought to the attention of theatre managers that just because the
volume is loud it does not make it surround sound. It is nice to be
able to pause it if you need a refill or to use the restroom. I wait
for the dvd because it is under $20 when it is first released and you
can watch it many times.
A quick thought on the crowds at the theatres, We went on the day
united 93 opened at 4:20 and there were about 30 people in there
perhaps people are waiting for the dvd just as i usually do.

We took our son and his best friend to see Star Wars at the AMC last
year - we got into a matinee on opening weekend and paid $24 for all 4
of us. When I got to the concession stand, I almost fainted!

A SMALL popcorn was $5 (& this was smaller than a normal bag of
microwave popcorn), the pop was $3.50 and nachos for my husband and I
to share were $7.00. All total for everyone's food, it came to $35!
$60 just to go to the movies with my family!

I agree we pay that much to offset the ridiculous star salaries and
hyper-inflated movie budgets. Not sure how to change that, though.

I had to pay $8.50 because I missed the matinee by 20 mins. They bump
it up 2 bucks after 4 p.m., it's no wonder studios are seeing a jump
in dvd sales. You can rent a dvd, watch it with 4+ friends for 5
bucks. Compared 4 friends going to a theather, dropping a average of
$30+ for 4 people. That is not including drinks, popcorn, etc. It's
a joke, and majority of the movies that have been coming out, haven't
been worth paying the ticket price for.

Actually when I go I only have to pay $6.

Sociologically speaking, we are a society that's disengaging from each
other. Civic and community life are no longer major aspects of the
average American's life. We are ever increasingly "hibernating"
within our locked homes.

Technology has done a large part in this societal shift. Television
was the main "culprit" in the 1950's through the 1970's. It gave us a
reason to stay at home and not venture out to talk to our neighbors.
Then came the VCR. If nothing was good on TV or we wanted to
entertain ourselves on a Friday or Saturday night we would simply go
to the video store and rent a movie.

The internet was next. If nothing was good on TV or we were bored
with watching movies on tape, no problem -- we'd just fascinate
ourselves in our own little world via the internet. The internet has
now become the major form of communication for many people.

Then came DVD. This technology is the major reason why movie ticket
sales have plummeted in the last several years. Sure, price has a
little to do with it but when movie production companies offer movies
on DVD soon after their theater releases have ended there is still
another reason for the average person to stay at home at wait for the
movie to come out on DVD. This short time lapse (which is getting
increasingly shorter) will be the "death nail" of a lot of theater
chains. I agree with Venice. A lot of movies in the coming years will
go straight to DVD.

Theaters, bowling leagues, Boy Scouts, and most anything that has to
do with people getting together are fading away and in its place the
fortress home is increasingly emerging as a way to shut ourselves away
from society.

Most theatres are charged EXHORBITANT premiums by the movie houses for
the right to show a movie (they rent the film reels). Theatres make
most of their profits from CONCESSION sales, not ticket sales. Movies
cost more and more to make (my friend is an accountant for movie
producers in Hollywood, and said the free-for-all nepotism is out of
control -- people making movies hire friends and family to do nothing,
but these people get put on the payroll), marketing costs are
ridiculous, stars making $10M - $20M per picture, etc.

The theatres have little say in what they charge for ticket prices,
since they're just trying to break even or make a VERY MINIMAL profit
on what it costs them to actually bring the movie to you.

Having said that, if theatre owners/managers/ushers would actually
KICK OUT rude movie goers, perhaps those of us who love the
movie-going experience would return. I love going to the theatre.

Its sad, but in part, you answered in your letter why prices are on
the incline. With the addition to Netflix to the market, more
consumers are able to loan out the movie when it comes out. They
don't have to pay premium at the movie theatre, and they don't have to
buy it right away new for 20 dollars. They don't have to pay six
dollars a title at blockbuster. For a flat fee, they can get the
movie, and about fifteen others, each month.

With the drop in attendance, but a raise in fees and payroll and costs
to them, the owners of theatres, for the most part, have acted in the
only way they know, raising the ticket price. Sure, a couple of
people won't go anymore, but then again, there are some dedicated
movie goers, who in turn will pay an extra dollar or two.

Its not just the movie market that has had a raise in price, though.
Pretty much, inflation has raised prices faster than the average
household pay increase. This in turn means less money for
extravagances, like going to the movies, because costs are a lot
higher and harder to manage. The average american household holds
over 9000 in credit card debt.

Now, what this theatre that you are complaining about did was raise
their prices. Literally, they assumed that no one will notice, and if
they do, its a small percentage, et cetera. Theaters out here have
done something completely different. In order to increase their
traffic, they have LOWERED their prices. Any early bird movie (not a
matinee), before 115 pm, is 4.00 to get into. Consider the traffic
flow they have - large families can go see movies, and do, because its
cheaper to see it at noon than at two, or six pm. Then, they did
raise the prices of consessions, about fifty cents an item or so, so
if you do decide on popcorn, you will pay a little bit more. But
since people are paying less for their ticket price, they might just
splurge a little bit and get the popcorn.

Maybe instead of telling them to lower their ticket prices, and in
turn lower their bottom line, which, like I said before is already
dwindling because of Netflix, go talk to the theatre manager and give
him some ideas as to HOW to get more people into his theatre, at a
lowerred price, in order to turn a profit.

Ticket prices are on the rise, so less people go. Its going to be a
never ending cycle.

I truly agree with you, Janine. Within the past three years, I can
only remember 4 times that I've been to the movie theater.

I remember when the first movie theater opened in my home town in
1998, and you could get into a movie for $4, probably $10 maximum if
you bought popcorn and a soda.

Inflation sucks!

I can't remember the last time I went to the theater to see a
movie.....it might have been back around Christmas. Oh well, no great
loss. I wait until it comes out on DVD and then watch it in the peace
and comfort of my own home.

Off the top of my head, I can't think of one thing the theaters could
do that could convince me to go back on a regular basis.

everything is going up in price.. so.. yea

what if they had package deals? Like train tickets? If you buy 5 or
6 you get them for a discounted price, to use within a year.

How about discounts for couples tickets?

This is a great issue, and I agree completely. It's a huge
frustration point with consumers. The big debate or question is
whether consumers should be compensated for watching commercials
before the ads. Or, if you arrive early, should your ticket price be
lower (the logic being that by watching the TV-style commercial you
are "trading attention" for more impressions for advertisers to buy.
I'd like to see more debate on this topic. - pete

BRAVO!

I said one time in a responce how expensiv it is to go, I don't want
to pay to watch commercials, and the volume is crazy.

It's just plain nuts.

I agree that ticket prices are too much. However, you are doing the
right thing by not going. The more people that do not go, the more
the industry will get the hint. Maybe?

The problem, in my opinion, is the rediculus money we pay to some of
our "stars". If you pay your top two leading actors in a movie a
total of $30 or $40 million, you have to rack up the prices to make a
profit once you also add all the other costs associated with making a
movie.

Anymore, its the other movie patrons that I can't handle. I get so
irritated with the talkers and the people that get up 15 times that I
stop enjoying the movie. I won't go to movie unless it's been out for
at least three or four weeks because of the boorish behavior of
others. To me the theater could do more to get rid of the problem
people, but I also know that they usually have teenagers working there
that don't get paid enough to confront unruly guests.

Nice letter.

I agree, unless you have a hot date, there is absolutely no incentive
to go to the theatre any longer. Of course, the price of the ticket is
the main reason, but also it seems that in the blink of an eye, the
movie can be purchased on DVD.

Regardless of the reasons for the high cost of a movie ticket, I
predict theatres will no longer exist and movies will go directly to
DVD if something isn't done to make the movie going experience more
affordable.

Hollywood are you listening??? Stop ruining my movie going
experience!...haha

I agree.

And it's ironic that the high ticket prices are probably causing more
downloading.

hey should take a cue from the music companies and find a way to
charge less.