Snacks at the Movie Theatre

[NMAmy]

Do you get snacks when you go to the movies? DD took a friend along last time and this friend was shocked at the amount of food we bought. She told me her mom never lets her get snacks at the theatre because they cost too much. Okay, I can see that--particularly if you have more than one kid. But truly, one of the main reasons I go to the theatre is for the popcorn. Yes, I know it's really bad for you but weight isn't an issue and it's only once or twice a month or so. I like to live it up every once in awhile.

I used to drive my ex crazy because I could go directly from a 3 course meal at a fancy restaurant to the movies and still order a big ole popcorn.

I love our local movie theatre--you can buy a big popcorn bucket for $20 and get free refills for 6 months. We use it all the time. You also get free refills on drinks and they have a...well, it's kind of a frequent shopper card. They swipe it every time you buy tickets and you earn free drinks, snacks, and movie tickets.

So--are you a movie theatre snack pig, too? What are your "must have" snacks?

 

[Christine]

No, I don't buy snacks. Was that my DD that you took to the theater with you?

Why don't I do it? Well, it does cost a lot. The kids waste most of it, and the soda/water will send them to the restroom too often.

Also, I think that you should be able to go sit through a movie and not have to constantly eat.

But I don't begrudge anyone else who wants to do it. Having said that, I have bought snacks on occasion. I like the Kid's Pack that my theater offers. A bit of popcorn, a small bag of M&Ms and a very small soda. Perfect size, perfect price.

 

[NMAmy]

No, I don't buy snacks. Was that my DD that you took to the theater with you?

I think so, Christine. I'm sorry, I've ruined her for life now.

 

[T1130]

Who goes for the movie. I go for the popcorn.

 

[hiwaygal]

If you're goin' to the movies, you gotta have popcorn AND candy (preferably chocolate). I think it's a law somewhere. If it isn't, it should be.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

We *never* got movie snacks when I was a kid. As a teenager, I would sneak candy and stuff into the theater. DH's family, on the other hand, would always get popcorn, sodas, candy, everything. I *love* movie popcorn (DH doesn't), so we always get a popcorn, and I sneak some of DH's favorite candies in for him!



Once, my mom and I snuck in pints of Hagen Daaz in our purses....

 

[monarchsfan16]

If I go with my family we get popcorn. My stepdad used to make us smuggle in sodas and other snacks so we could get a small popcorn for the 5 of us Didn't take him long to learn that his strategy didn't cut it
When I go with friends we don't get anything. But we're all poor college kids. When I went with just my sister on Wednesday, we had finished lunch about 5 minutes before so we didn't get anything then either. So really it varies

 

[Planogirl]

We don't get anything mostly because of the ridiculous prices. We wait until after the movie and then stop to get drinks at a convenience store.

 

[sunlver]

Can people really go without eating for the whole 2 hrs(or less)during a movie,of course they can???

But, thats the fun of going to a movie, you get to sit and eat snacks while watching a movie on a the big screen. We do not go to movies much. We use to go to cheapie theatres a lot(where the movies have been around for awhile)but since my youngest is almsot 2, she just does not sit anymore

Most times I do bring in snacks, juice boxes for the kids, candy from the dollar store. We always buy popcorn. You just cant beat popcorn from the movie theatre.

 

[Sandy V.]

We usually don't get snacks, in part because of the ridiculously high prices.

The main reason is that we usually go to the movies on Saturday night, right after dinner, or we plan to go out for a bite when the movie is over.

 

[babytrees]

We get a large popcorn and 1 large pop to share between the 4 of us. It is ridiculous how expensive treats are but so are the movies and we only do it about 4 times a year. (unless mom wins passes!!! )

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I forgot to add that we normally go to the Alamo Drafthouse for movies these days (dinner IN a movie), like where I'll see Superman tonight. So I'll have a margharita pizza and maybe a rootbeer float.....

 

[goofy4tink]

We generally get a medium popcorn (I've tried talking dd into the small because we toss out so much of the medium but it's been a no-go) that we share. I smuggle in small bottles of water. If we were to buy a popcorn each and a water each it would cost almost as much as the ticket prices...no way will I double that price. It shouldn't cost us $50 to go to the movies...three of us, early show so lower price applies.

 

[NMAmy]

I forgot to add that we normally go to the Alamo Drafthouse for movies these days (dinner IN a movie), like where I'll see Superman tonight. So I'll have a margharita pizza and maybe a rootbeer float.....

I think that is my dream movie theatre. I'd still have to have popcorn, though.

 

[TurboKitty]

We uausally get a large popcorn and a small drink for each child. I used to openly bring in an empty water bottle and fill it from their water fountain but now that they sell bottled water, I buy one of those for myself.

I have to admit I am a little shocked at how many admit to bringing in their own snacks. If you don't think it's wrong, why do you need to "sneak" it in with you? If you can't budget another $10 to $15.00 to go to the concession stand, you should go without food during the movie showing, or rent a dvd and eat whatever you want at home.

 

[FergieTCat]

When I went to see "The DaVinci Code" last month, the ticket cost $10.50. A small soft drink was $4.75 and the popcorn was $4.00. I was not going to pay another $8.75 for the snacks, so I passed.

 

[hiwaygal]

I forgot to add that we normally go to the Alamo Drafthouse for movies these days (dinner IN a movie), like where I'll see Superman tonight. So I'll have a margharita pizza and maybe a rootbeer float.....

We have Cinema Cafe...we're going tonight too! Can't decide between The Devil Wears Prada, Click, or Cars (I think that's ultimately going to be the winner).

We'll have dinner there too...AND popcorn!

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I think that is my dream movie theatre. I'd still have to have popcorn, though.

They do still have popcorn! If you are ever in Austin, I'll take you!

http://www.alamodrafthouse.com/

 

[NMAmy]

I have to admit I am a little shocked at how many admit to bringing in their own snacks. If you don't think it's wrong, why do you need to "sneak" it in with you? If you can't budget another $10 to $15.00 to go to the concession stand, you should go without food during the movie showing, or rent a dvd and eat whatever you want at home.

I have to admit that even though I am a huge spendthrift at the snack stand, I HAVE snuck in something before. My local theatre does not carry Red Vines but instead carries the vastly inferior (in my family's opinion) Twizzlers. If they carried the kind we prefer, I would not sneak them in in my purse.

 

[NMAmy]

They do still have popcorn! If you are ever in Austin, I'll take you!

http://www.alamodrafthouse.com/

It's a date, pal! If I ever get to Austin, I AM THERE!