My beef is not the movie itself but the theatre charging $4.50 for 2 cents worth of popcorn and paper.
My beef is not the movie itself but the theatre charging $4.50 for 2 cents worth of popcorn and paper. That's how theaters stay in business. Their cut of ticket sales is shockingly low. Anyone here in the business with an accurate figure? Last time I talked to a theater owner -- several years ago -- his cut for each ticket sold was something like 50 cents. The biz at the theater level is all about popcorn and Cokes.
MM
Most of the ticket money leaves the theater immediately (certainly in the "big opening" weekends). The theater is really in the business of selling snacks, not tickets. Funny how convenience stores seems to be high priced on everything but fountain drinks and yet movie theaters feel justified in charging $2.50-3.35 for $0.05 worth of soda water.
In Austin, there is the Alamo Drafthouse which sells real food (pizzas, sandwiches, salads) and beer and wine (a waitstaff brings it to your seat). Their prices aren't too out of line for other restaurants selling these items.