My husband, Kim, and I went to the movies last night. We don’t go to the movies a lot, but if there is something worth the price tag of a night at the movies, we’ll go. That doesn’t keep us from complaining about the price, and it doesn’t end with the tickets!
I suppose we shouldn’t complain about the price. We live in an area of the country where, especially this time of year, there are a lot of senior citizens. According to AARP Kim and I are seniors, but not at the movies. At the movies you have to be 60 to be considered a senior. That’s not us, but thank goodness a lot of these young kids that work the box office have been raised with good manners, and they don’t ask. They look us over pretty good and just give us the senior price. Haven’t decided if I’m grateful or insulted. I blaming it on Kim and his gray goatee.
A senior ticket cost $9.64. Doesn’t matter if it’s a night showing or a matinee, always $9.64. Seems like a weird price. Do the math on two tickets and it comes out to $19.28. Even weirder. A regular adult ticket costs $12.60 for an evening show. Ouch! Given the difference between adult and senior, I’ve decided I’m grateful for gray goatees and good manners.
Inside they don’t care. Popcorn is popcorn. Doesn’t matter how old you are. We purchased a medium bag and a bottle of water. Let’s be clear here. One popcorn, one bottle of water. $7.99 for the popcorn and $4.95 for a bottle of water! Dasani, not Perrier. Total, $12.94! I smiled. You have to see the humor in a $5.00 bottle of water, that’s essentially California tap water.
In real life a case of 24 bottles of Dasani water costs $4.98. You’ll remember we just paid $4.95 for one! If Walmart sold that water for movie prices, those 24 bottles would cost $118.80! Yikes! I understand the need to make a profit, and I’ve heard that movie theaters make their money on the concessions, not the movie. No kidding! I’m pretty sure we have moved well beyond profit, and we’re looking for a different word here. After all, Walmart is making a profit too. They are selling that same bottle for .21 cents. If I were to pay $2.50 at the theater I think it would be fair to both of us. The popcorn is harder to figure out, but I’m going to give it to them, though bite down on a hard kernel and you could be looking at a trip to the dentist. If that were to happen, we’d have to re-evaluate.
Kim and I enjoyed the movie, the popcorn, and the water. As we were leaving he handed me the bottle, “Drink that last sip. It’s worth .50 cents”. Good point. I finished it off!
Ha, ha…..glad you enjoyed the movie, popcorn, and water, even more glad I don’t like going to the movies.
It’s fun to watch on the big screen once in awhile, as long as it’s a good movie, & you’re not hungry.
Wow! That makes Durango prices seem almost reasonable! We went last night – $750 per ticket, $6 for a large popcorn. I was feeling pretty ripped off until I read your blog! Thanks for the perspective!! Have to admit though that Red Box and microwave popcorn are looking better all the time! 🙂
I thought it was more expensive here. Thanks for your post.