Will you stand in line with this kind of increase?

[Goofy'slady]

I happened to be getting ready to take my preschooler to school this morning and had GMA on tv. The had a small segment on talking about the increase of movie tickets that will go into effect today. Some big national theater chains are now charging as much as a 1.50 more per ticket. Basically with the popularity of 3-D movies (Avatar, ect.) Hollywood is raking in the bucks and the theaters want to cash in as well but at the rate of your next 3-D film costing as much as 19.50. So for the average family of 4 it will cost a whopping 78.00 to see a 3-D film and 46.00 dollars to see a regular 2-D movie. That's almost 50 dollars; for us that would be half of our weekly grocery bill.

While we don't frequent movies that often there are times where taking in a family film is a good way to entertain ourselves on a weekend. We typically try to see films before noon that way we save even more than matinee prices. But if both 2-D and 3-D movies are going up what's to stop those prices from rising as well.

My question to all of you budgeting guru's is will you continue to shell out big bucks to see 3-D movies with your families and friends?

Do you think if the public audience shrinks back from going to the movies that theaters will lower their prices?

OT, with the popularity of 3-D movies/dvds will your family be investing in a 3-D TV to view such films in top quality?

T.

 

[Amandaj0831]

Luckily I just found a drive in theater around here that charges 5 for adults,4 for kids for 2 movies. last week we saw Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Percy Jackson for 18. My brother was asking how they could still make a profit charging him and I told him that just shows how much movie theaters are moking if they CAN get a profit off 4 and 5 dollar tickets. Personally we usually wait rather than paid those kind of prices.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

We didn't pay the $15 to see the 3D versions of movies...certainly not paying $20! And a regular movie around here just went up to $12 $36 for the 3 of us to go to the movies is NUTS. We'll be waiting for a lot more things to come out on DVD/ OnDemand

 

[redlawyer]

I was looking a matinee for this afternoon for Alice in Wonderland. A special treat for two of my , and to save money I checked the regular movie, not the 3D. The matinee price was $7.00 for each kid (ages 7 and 9) and $7.50 for me. My kids know popcorn and candy are either purchased at the store on the way to the theatre or not at all. So minimum we are talking about $21.50. No way am I paying more for 3D, partly because I'm cheap, but also it makes me motion sick. I do not think we will be going to see the movie. We usually only go to the theatre once a year and with Toy Story III coming this summer, I think we'll wait and take Dad and the littlest one with us.

We will probably buy Alice in Wonderland when it comes out on DVD in four months. On a regular TV. With a coupon and hopefully a rebate for around $15. I really think the only folks paying these ridiculous prices are teenagers with too much discretionary money.

 

[tink774]

I'm pretty cheap for a college student, so I absolutely won't pay these higher prices for a movie ticket. I think that the last film I saw in theaters was UP, and even that was a splurge for my boyfriend and I. Plus with my vision I can't actually see the 3-D images, so the theaters definitely won't be getting that cash from me. I just wait for everything to come to Netflix, or I give in and go to the cheap theater right before the DVD release if it's something worth seeing on the big screen (which is rare!).

 

[apnep]

Not me! I won't pay that much to see a movie. I am like you, why am I going to pay extra just to see it in 3D? My DH was dying to see Avatar in 3D and I finally gave in but only because I wanted to see what the hype was over this new 3D. It was definitely good, but will I pay it again, NO! It cost us over $50 for our family of 5!

Sorry, but we have been waiting longer and longer until they hit the dollar movies or we'll order it when it comes out on demand and watch it at home. $5 at home is WAAAAY cheaper than $50 to see it first.

Ang

 

[Melrosgirl]

I won't pay extra for 3D. Never.

 

[rstamm]

It really amazes me that people will spend around $50 or more for a family to see a movie and get some popcorn when you can wait a couple of months and rent it at redbox for $1.

At home I can hit pause if I want and watch it in peace and quiet, at the theater I have to listen to cell phones, babies crying and people talking.

 

[Mickey527]

Here on the CT and NY news they announced a $3 increase on regular movies and $6 for 3-D.
I had a friend who was a manager and I got in for free until last week when the theater was sold and they let him go after 26 years with showcase cinemas.
Oh well, looks like I have to join Netflix.

 

[Goofy'slady]

I was looking a matinee for this afternoon for Alice in Wonderland. A special treat for two of my , and to save money I checked the regular movie, not the 3D. The matinee price was $7.00 for each kid (ages 7 and 9) and $7.50 for me. My kids know popcorn and candy are either purchased at the store on the way to the theatre or not at all. So minimum we are talking about $21.50. No way am I paying more for 3D, partly because I'm cheap, but also it makes me motion sick. I do not think we will be going to see the movie. We usually only go to the theatre once a year and with Toy Story III coming this summer, I think we'll wait and take Dad and the littlest one with us.

We will probably buy Alice in Wonderland when it comes out on DVD in four months. On a regular TV. With a coupon and hopefully a rebate for around $15. I really think the only folks paying these ridiculous prices are teenagers with too much discretionary money.

Ahhh, you'd be surprised just how many adults are paying these outrageous amounts to see these 3-D films. Most of those who I've come in contact that have seen recent 3-D movies are far from being teens. I'm 33, so most of my friends are my age or a little older/younger. I thought this 3-D movie thing was gonna be strictly for concert experiences like Hannah/Jo Bros and the occasional action summer blockbuster. But every time I turn around there's another movie being made into 3-D. And you would think even if teens are the ones seeing the bulk of these movies where in the world are they getting the money. After school jobs only pay so much. Are mom and dad paying for cell phone plans, latest fashions, team sports, car insurances for teen drivers and now 20 dollar movie tickets?

I for one will continue to seek out the cheapest times to see a movie or wait til the film reaches store shelves or Red Box.

T.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Yes, I admit we'll continue to go to the special 3-D versions of the movies we want to see. We enjoy the experience as a family. We typically go to the very first show of the day, which at our theater of choice is around noon on weekends for the family movies. Do I think it's crazy to pay $36 for my family of 4 to see a G-rated movie in 3-D? Yes. Will I do it anyway? Yes. The experience just isn't the same on my TV at home, even with our HD-TV and Blu-Ray player. My husband is a movie buff and it's something he enjoys sharing with the family. I'm a Disney buff and if I can indoctrinate my kids into it at an early age, I'm all over it!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Most movie theaters around where I live are now $10 and up for regular movies with no discount matinee times. I'm not a big movie person to begin with (maybe go to 1-2 a year) as I just can't sit someplace for 2-3+ hours without thinking of all the other things I could be doing . But I stopped going to the movies after their latest price increase. Honestly, I've seen a couple of movies in 3D and while it was pretty it's not worth it to me. I'll just wait for a movie to come out on DVD (although I don't watch very many movies at home either ). So I'm probably not the best person to ask if I would spend almost $20 when I won't even spend $10.

 

[crisi]

We don't see many movies in theatres now. We get them streaming on Netflix for our Netflix subscription or rent them streaming through Amazon.

(And I'm one of those people who can't "see" 3D movies. So I'm certainly not paying more to have an experience that is LESS satisfying and gives me a headache).

 

[LilyWDW]

I already won't pay the ridicules prices at the theaters so there is no way I will pay MORE. Last movie I saw in the theater was Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and before that was the previous Harry Potter...

 

[Planogirl]

Movies are still a better bargain than many other entertainment options IMO. However, we do try to go during matinees, don't care about 3-d and we don't visit the concession stand. Some movies are just so much better on the big screen!

 

[kinntj]

Last movie the family went to see is UP and haven't been back. The next movie we'll see is Toy Story 3, since we've waited so long for it. I don't think we'll see many movies after that.

I'd rather buy the movie for a lot less and be more comfortable. Alice in Wonderland will probably be bought on Demand.

 

[poc53]

I'll cut down and find other things to do.

 

[littlbugmom]

We don't pay those prices. We go to the smaller theaters because their prices are better. A matinee showing of Alice in Wonderland 3D at the big theater is $10.50 per person (regardless of age). The same movie at the smaller theater is $4.50 per person.


If they raise the prices, I'd still go to the small theaters but probably not as often. We also have a Drive-In and that's always a bargain!

 

[jodifla]

Yes, we'll pay the extra. We don't go to that many movies, and there are still plenty of matinees where the prices are good. We also have drive-ins for the summertime that are reasonable.

For us, we always ask the question: Is this a movie that needs to be seen on a big screen for the best enjoyment of it? Something like Harry Potter, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, that sort of thing. Then we'll do a bit of research and see how much the 3-D adds.

Our other tiers are: rent the movie when it comes out, or just wait for it to hit cable.

 

[Ephany]

We won't go to a movie just because it's in 3D. I saw Alice in Wonderland, decided that 3D would be a bit to intense for DD, so she can watch it when it comes out on dvd. Toy Story we'll probably go see, but not any of the other offered that I've heard about. Thankfully living in a college town means there's matinee, student and other discounts as well as a 'cheap' theater at the mall. The Princess & the Frog was there for a couple of weeks, for $3 a person that's certainly doable. 99% of movies I'm willing to wait until the cheap theater or dvd, so they won't really get much of our discretionary spending.