Dinner and a movie? In this economy? We have reached the point where a date night with two movie tickets can run you $100—and that doesn’t even include popcorn. Regal Cinemas recently sold out in mere minutes for $50 tickets to see Dune: Part Three projected in 70 millimeter IMAX film over its December opening weekend, according to the Wall Street Journal, which notes it’s part of a larger premium movie ticket trend:
- Last year, 17% of film tickets sold were for theaters with bigger screens and better sound (typically at a higher cost), compared with 13% in 2021.
- Cinema-goers snap up seats in these theaters faster than others, so theater owners are building more of them. By the end of last year, AMC had 517, which is 30% more than the chain had in 2021.
But the WSJ says Hollywood studios aren’t sold on movie theaters going big on screens and prices, fearing that upcharging the most devoted cinephiles could backfire by turning a night at the movies from a bit of fun to a special occasion.—AR
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