Damn, even going to the movies is getting outta reach

[packman]

Went to see "Ant Man and the Wasp"- Granddaughter in town. Senior tickets and one adult (Granddaughter getting older now) . Snacks - nothing special, just popcorn, candy and drinks. Forty seven dollars!!

Shit, I remember the time my parents gave me 25cents and that got me into the movies, popcorn, drink AND I could stay there all day watching the same movie over and over.

Sighhhhh--- Getting too old.

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

1. America...

Out of touch and out of reach for even Americans. It can't go on forever. There has to be a correction, bc, this stuff is ridiculous.

[exboyfil]

2. You get treats at the movies

We eat before we go. You are right about the cost. We hit the $6 Saturday morning matinee when my daughter gets off work.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

3. Agreed

it's insane!!

[anarch]

4. so are groceries, electricity & water service, housing...

I consider myself to be relatively "well off;" I've had a few recent unexpected expenses (A/C recently died and had to be replaced, for one....) and was thankfully able to weather them, but basically my monthly expenses have exceeded my income for most of this year, and I'm looking at surviving (hopefully) on ramen/beans & rice for the foreseeable future.

I can afford to go to the movies maybe once a year or so. Going out to eat at restaurants is no longer affordable at all.

I don't see how our society can continue on like this, with rapidly rising costs of living, and no meaningful increase in wages. If you're not already rich in this economy, you're pretty much fucked.

[NCTraveler]

5. $71 for two people last time I went.

The only time I have been in decades.

That's in good old affordable Florida.

[BannonsLiver]

14. The tickets were $71?

Holy shit!

[NCTraveler]

16. No. Ticket snack drink. Two people.

I could have had an amazing meal at the Mystic Fish for that.

[unblock]

6. back in the day, you paid to sit in an air-conditioned room. the movie was a bonus.

nowadays you reserve your reclining seat online!

some theaters bring the food and drinks to you!


to be fair, movies at home are really awesome, so they have to do something to compete....

[pbmus]

7. Get MoviePass ....

MoviePass.com

[avebury]

8. Do you have a local AMC theater (or more than

1 AMC) and how much do you like to go to the movies?

I was on the Movie Pass (9.95/month) but I am not sure how long they will last financially so I changed over to the AMC A1 program. For $19.95 + tax a month I can see 3 movies a month and they do not limit you to just the cheapest movie. You can see digital, IMAX, 3D, Dolby. Some of the formats are expensive. And you can see a movie more than once if you want to. I have to stay with it for a minimum of 3 months.

The pluses, you can book tickets in advance with no internet fee, you can see higher quality, expensive movies with no additional cost and they don't limit how many times you see a movie. There are times I will see a movie more than once. If you are really into movies it is a really good deal.

If you don't want to go the monthly route, they have a membership that is $15 per year and on Tuesdays they have movies for $5.00. That is a pretty good deal.

Right now I have already booked the new Mission Impossible movie in Dolby for Saturday night and The Spy Who Dumped me for next Thursday.

I figure that I start to save money on my second movie and anything after that is essentially free.

[riversedge]

54. Thanks for this information. very informative. will check into it.

[Initech]

9. I got tickets for the 10th anniversary screening of the Dark Knight.

Yeah I know it's on Imax in 70mm format and they naturally charge more than your standard theater, but still... $27 for a ticket. Ouch.

[greymattermom]

22. Go to see some live music instead.

Olivia Chaney at Eddie's Attic, $15. Burger, $10.

[Initech]

24. I go see a lot of live music actually!

But that can get pretty pricey too. I'm going to Phish this weekend and my tickets were like $68 a piece and that's before the damn fees are added in. Fuck the fees.

[mythology]

37. I'm pretty sure it's the fees that do the fucking.

[Blue_true]

60. Concerts by unknowns, or little knowns can lead to lasting memories.

A business acquaintance told me that when he was in college, he saw two different free concerts on a big lawn in in a beer hall at his college. The first concert was by the country group The Outlaws, the second later in the beer hall (he said actually sizeable theater) was by the Police with a young Sting in lead. In comparison, Bob Dylan played a paid concert there in the football stadium earlier than the other two then little known groups. Who would not give something to have lived what that guy lived?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

10. It's the snacks that add up outrageously.

And it's where the theaters make almost all their money.

I limit my theater going to Tuesdays, when popcorn is half price. I don't drink soft drinks anyway, so I smuggle in a bottle of water in my purse. I also take advantage of the senior discount, although it's not very much.

My local theaters don't do half price matinees or anything like that, alas.

Luckily for me I simply don't like any of the superhero movies, which seems to be the majority of them these days, so recently I'm not going to the movies much.

[A HERETIC I AM]

11. The popcorn, candy and drinks is what keeps the lights on in the theater

I'm sure you probably know this, but that's where they make their money. From my admittedly basic knowledge of the business, unless the theater is filling a ton of seats for each screening, they don't really make money on showing the movies.

I'll only go to a theater for films I want to see on an IMAX screen or in 3D or both. Some movies are just better on a large screen. The visual detail of the Star Wars movies, for instance.

I might just go see that Antman flick if I can get a weekday afternoon off.

I saw Avatar in 3D on an IMAX screen back when it came out and it was the most stunning visual experience I have ever had in a movie theater.

So....since I go so rarely it doesn't bother me too much, but you're absolutely right; The cost of going to see a movie in a theater is getting absurd.

Edit to say the poster above me had the same thoughts! Beat me to the punch my 60 seconds!

[packman]

15. P.S.- Don't go to see that movie

wait till it comes out in video - too many "Quantum" this and "Quantum" that in it. The best part is the comic relief from the bumbling crooks and side-kicks of the Antman.

[A HERETIC I AM]

17. LOL...fair enough! Thanks!

Yeah...I spend enough on streaming services as it is! I'm sure it will be on one of them soon enough.

BTW, If you have a decent internet connection and like Sci Fi and/or Dystopian type stories, the series "The 100" on the C W network is pretty good.

http://www.cwtv.com/shows/the-100

The amount of available programming and content is just simply overwhelming these days.

[USALiberal]

51. Of course you are wrong, but OK. nt

[blugbox]

18. P.S. Opinions- Go see that movie.

It's a fun, light-hearted adventure. And yes, they even make a joke in the movie about putting the word "quantum" in front of everything!

[A HERETIC I AM]

20. LMAO! OK.....

I've seen the previews and it does look like fun, but as I said above, it depends on whether or not I can get a weekday afternoon off.

That's when I prefer to go...like a 4 PM on a Wednesday screening. 5 other people in the theater and I can sit anywhere I want! I just got home from a trip and have been up since midnight, so today is probably not going to be it!

LOL>>>>Thanks for the contrary opinion.

[Initech]

47. I'm going to see the Anniversary Edition of the Dark Knight.

One of my favorite movies ever and seeing it in the original format that it was meant to be seen in with other like-minded fans is going to be awesome. But those tickets though...

Although Ant-Man & The Wasp is great, don't see it unless you've seen Avengers: Infinity War first. That ending...

[Ohiogal]

12. I never eat anything from a movie theatre snack bar

the price of the tickets is bad enough! We go maybe twice a year ....

I agree, it's terrible.

[Initech]

27. No, movie theater snack bars are a hose job.

Plus would anyone ever eat the hot dogs?

[northoftheborder]

28. The food prices at movies are outrageous. I don't even buy stuff for grandchildren.

I used to sneak in some small snacks for them. Most of the movie food is unhealthy anyway.

[shanti]

50. Doesn't everyone

buy their treats at the dollar store and shlep them in in their bags? I haven't bought movie popcorn since I found out that it's just bulk bagged cold popcorn that's heated up and "buttered". Yuk.

Actually, it's been years since I've gone to a movie theater. The only time I go now is for a 3D movie. Mostly just wait until it comes out on Netflix and get the DVD. It's much nicer to relax on your couch with a glass of something tasty and a good yoint.

[marlakay]

13. My theater has discount Tuesdays

For seniors we try to go then, $5.25.

Since we cut cord of cable with hulu, netflix and hbo and have prime we rarely go to a movie.

And my theater has the new recliner seats so on Tuesday pretty good!

[DFW]

19. Remember Allan Sherman

His song "Pop hates the Beatles" made the complaint that a pair of tickets to a Beatles concert cost $47. It was meant as an exaggeration!

[A HERETIC I AM]

21. Why the hell did you have to bring up Allan Sherman? God dammit!

Here's hoping this is an earbug for days, just like it was for me!

[DFW]

36. Here's a consolation prize

One of the first parodies I did, just after Cheneybush went into Afghanstan around 2002:
A.)
Hello Mullah, Hello Faddah
Here I am at Camp Osama
Camp is very interesting
When they don’t use us for bio-weapons testing

B.)
We’ve got Arabs and Iranis
And a bunch of Pakistanis
And I guess that I should warn ya
There’s a nut case who thinks he’s from California

B.)
Mullah Omar said keep fighting
Go down kicking
Go down biting
And Osama gave his order
From his helicopter fleeing ‘cross the border

C.) (break)
Take me home, oh Mullah, Faddah
Take me home, I hate Osama
Don’t leave me up in the mountains where
I might get frozen during prayer

Take me home, I promise I will
Not chase girls
Or iron my beard free of curls
Oh, please take me with you
I’ve been here since age two

A.)
Pious Faddah, burqa’d Muddah
Have you ever seen each uddah?
Don’t let Western sin seduce you
If I come home, I would gladly introduce you

B.)
Wait a minute
Bombs stopped falling
Sun is shining, birds are calling
Switched allegiance, gee that’s bettah
Mullah, Faddah kindly disregard this lettah!

[dhol82]

57. Excellent!

[msongs]

43. beatles at doger stadium cost $6.50 per ticket nt

[oberliner]

48. The tickets to see a Beatles concert were actually around $5

[catrose]

55. In a recent movie about the Beatles

Whoopi Goldberg talked about her mother sacrificing to get tickets for her. Ten whole dollars! (for both of them)

I wanted to see the Dixie Chicks recently, and tickets were $300. I listened to my old albums instead. Oh, the good old days!

And my last senior matinee movie ticket was $10. Fortunately, the library has free movies.

[DFW]

56. I remember that

As a contrast, for our 66th birthdays, our daughters gave us a pair of up close seats at a Rolling Stones concert in Stuttgart a month ago. €500 per!!! I told them they were crazy but the damage was done so we went.

[catrose]

61. Wow! Lovely of them!

[DFW]

65. Agreed, but it was nuts, too

One of our daughters has become one of those one-in-a-million whose skills and abilities (and dual nationality) allowed her to luck into a once-in-a-lifetime dream job that made her a partner in a big international law firm at age 31. Even with German taxes taking 50% of her income, she earns a fortune (way more than I do), and this was chump change to her. She probably contributed 99% of the cost, but she is very close with her sister who lives in the States (and makes comparatively little), and they insist on making sure we know it was from the both of them, and never tell us who contributed how much (and we never ask).

[Archae]

23. I haven't been to a movie theater since 1994.

Saw "The Mask."

My TV/DVD has good stereo sound, munchies at hand.

No reason anymore TO go to the theater.

[USALiberal]

52. Well, I am glad millions of people don't agree with you. nt

[yallerdawg]

25. 25 cents a movie!

Filming in color sure drove up the price!

[packman]

31. Sound and color drove up those prices - Bring back the B&W silent movies!!

[panader0]

44. My mom, born in 1908, used to play piano on the stage

for the silent movies in Spokane about 1924 or so.

[Grammy23]

26. Have you taken a look at concert prices these days??

Outrageous. I bought tickets for two to see Mannheim SteamRoller at our local Saenger for my birthday in November. It was north of $200 after all the “fees” were added to the base cost of the tickets. The seats were good (first row of balcony with NO ONE in front of me....I am short and hate having to lean left or right to see the stage!) but come on.....but the last two concerts I’ve been to were just about sold out.

So I guess some people are doing okay. Or they are just sucking it and going in spite of the high cost. I went many years without going to concerts and finally just said, screw it. I am not going to live forever so I am going to see some acts because they won’t be around forever, either. I saw one of the last concerts B.B. King did before he had to retire and died shortly after.

[Initech]

46. I wanted tickets to Twenty One Pilots.

Cheapest on Ticket Bastard? $380. And the last time I saw them I paid $59. Damn.

[Grammy23]

58. That is jaw dropping!

But tickets on Broadway are ridiculous, too. Don’t know how long this can go on, but as I said, these concerts and performances continue to be sold out or nearly sold out.

[Initech]

59. And I wonder how many get bought on one site and immediately resold on another?

Because I think that was happening with the show I wanted to go to. I missed out on going to see Ghost for that very reason. That would be an interesting statistic to know!

[gtar100]

29. Too many "entrepreneurs" have just wanted to make a killing.

Work? That's for suckers. The American way as redefined in the Reagan era.

[Tipperary]

30. I bring my own water and popcorn. No way I will spend stupid money on one of the cheapest things

to make. They make obscene profits on that.

[csziggy]

32. When I was a kid we saved up RC Cola bottle caps - 10 caps per kid

To get into the local theater. One year that was my birthday party - ten kids all paid for with bottle caps. My Mom made a cake which we ate before we went to theater so no one wanted snacks.

Talk about cheap movies!

[Tiggeroshii]

33. Moviepass?

Moviepass.com

10 a month unlimited movies 1 per day

[dumbcat]

34. Last time I was in a movie theatre was 2009

for the Movie Avatar, which my son recommended. I didn't like the cost, the price of popcorn, the sound in the theatre, or the crowd. haven't watched a movie since, even at home, even though I have Amazon Prime video.

Whatever free time I have, where other people would watch movies, I read. I read 2-3 average novels a week. I like books much better than movies.

[LanternWaste]

35. I hit the movies a lot, but never purchase anything other than the tickets

One of my best friends and I hit the matinee every other Friday, and afterwards we drive back to my place and order a pizza and wings. The pizza and wings usually cost about what we would've spent on a few sodas, popcorn and two chocolate bars.

The matinee shows are usually four to seven dollars, and a LOT quieter (fewer teens), much less crowded and better parking.

[aikoaiko]

38. Yep. 4 boys and 1 adult I spent $170

$70 to get in. $100 on drinks and popcorn and candy

[Initech]

39. Damn... no wonder movies are grossing in the billions now!

[woodsprite]

40. Hubby and I went out to see Incredibles 2 the other day.

Our kids both had already seen it, and my daughter suggested we see it on the "big screen" and pay attention to the political messages. Always love how Disney embeds current affairs and more adult content in their movies. We found on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the theater had all tickets for $6. We did a late matinee with 2 hot dogs, small popcorn and 1 med. drink, so we made out pretty well considering it was theater food ($30.00 with tickets).

We had reserved seating, Fandango'd our tickets and prepaid, and when we got there, our seats were taken by a Grandmother and a little boy. She refused to budge even when we showed her our receipt, so hubby went to speak with mgmt. The Grandfather was also speaking to management because someone else had a ticket for the seat he tried to sit in. They figured out that the grandmother had never confirmed and paid for her tickets and just did a screen shot of the order. I thought if you didn't confirm the payment, that you never saw the QR code the theaters use to check you in. Anyway, they had to leave the theater because it was sold out. I felt bad because a kid was involved, but we had a receipt and they didn't.

[oberliner]

49. Pretty clever scam

If it was a less filled theatre, she might have been able to pull that off.

[appleannie1943]

41. We quit going to movies and sports events years ago because of the cost.

First, we would eat before we went to avoid the high cost of snacks. Then it got to the place we could no longer even affort the admission.

[msongs]

42. yeah but the gratuitous sex, filthy language, and blasting sound are included nt

[Demovictory9]

45. movies make most of their money off the snacks, not the movie itself

[kimbutgar]

53. I purposely eat before I go to the movies for that reason

The food is so overpriced and on popcorn the hey make large profit margins. My hubby always makes me put his water bottled in my purse instead of paying $4.50 for a bottled water.

[Solly Mack]

62. There was a time when I was like - let's go to the movies, yay!

now I have to really want to see the film and have to see it on the big screen. And even then it's iffy.

[xmas74]

63. The kid-no-longer and I pick

One or two summer blockbusters and no more. If it isn't too hot we go to the drive-in.

Depending on how busy she is late fall I might buy each of us a three month trial on the AMC pass. Three movies a week and IMAX,some special showings and 3D is included is a nice deal. It all depends on her studies, winter guard, etc.

We try to eat before leaving but AMC has decent deals on Tuesday for drinks and popcorn .

[sir pball]

64. This is why I was not shocked at the "stream current movies" idea

It was a while back, maybe a year, that I heard of some plan to stream currently running movies to your TV, one shot only, for $50-ish. My first reaction was of course "wtf" but after about thirty seconds thinking I realized with four people that's $12.50 each, get ten people in and it's five bucks. Quite the deal compared to the cinema especially if you have a nice 4k home theatre..