Our local AMC movie theatre has gone in a new direction having
reconstructed the whole building. They are now offering dinners, snacks,
desserts, sandwiches, burgers, salads, etc. all given to a server who
gets your order, delivers it to you and then you pay your bill. There
are plusses and minuses about the whole setup but I do see it becoming a
very expensive proposition for a family going to the movies or even a
couple on a date.
It is no secret that movie theatres make their money from the
concession stands and not from ticket sales as most of the latter go to
the film makers, distributors and studios. In many cases a soda and
popcorn cost more than a theatre ticket but with these new food prices
it will even be higher. If you want to get an idea of the food prices go
to www.amctheatres.com/food-and-drink but remember they vary from theatre to theatre.
I wanted to 'try' out the new AMC--I liked the $7 admission on a
Friday but you never know what a movie costs unless you check out the
movie and performance schedule on the web. Depending on whether it is a
matinee or evening, a PG or R rated film, a regular or 3D film the
prices range from $7 to $14. The seats are the most comfortable I have
ever sat in in a movie house--the serving of food can be and is
disturbing--also I would hate to see the line at the ticket window when
busy--along with prices you have to select your seat before you get your
ticket!!!
They have less auditoriums than they did previously, which means they
are showing less movies and each auditorium has a lot less seats than
they had so they are really depending on food sales to make the money.
With the movie companies making less money because of the cut in the
audience size I wonder if they have some deal regarding concession
sales.
As I said I like the $7 ticket price on Friday for PG-13 films but
since I don’t eat food in the theatre if the AMC is showing the same
picture as the Gateway Theatre, and getting the lower price, I might go
to the former BUT if they are getting a $9 price I will definitely go
with the latter--which I will in most cases anyway as The Gateway
Theatre is special to me.