The cloth on the seats at most movie theaters are easily removable. They remove the cloth cover from the seats and let them sit in water for a few minutes. Afterwards they take the cover out and wring it into a food grade bucket, then they reduce the water until it gets to a thicker consistency for a tasty popcorn topping. This doubles of being able to clean the seats as well as a hefty cost savings for the movie theater.
Source: I worked at a movie theater.
So if the theater completely sells out they stand to make an extra $90 over current pricing. There is roughly 250ish seats here. They could have raised prices $0.50, made more money than this plan and there is no news story. The public would not have even noticed or cared.
More importantly, if the theater doesn't sell out and its 2 people in the theater who bought the cheap seats, which high school kid is going to sit in the theater to enforce the 'you paid for the cheap seats, now stay in the cheap seats' policy?
This is exactly what I’m thinking! Sold out movies, sure, but an empty theater on a Wednesday afternoon?? I seriously wonder how tight enforcement will be and if people won’t just default to buying cheap seats and just moving to better seats if the theater is empty
Why would they care about the policy on non sold out shows? Enough honest people will pay the $2. They're not going to fret over the idiots trying to steal something that can't be lost. It isn't worth the cost/trouble.
Let's assume some averages
* 6 shows per day
* 8 screens per location
* Sold out 50% of the time
* 365 days a year (duh)
The $2 "preferred viewing"" seats model results in roughly $788k while the $0.5c model results in $1.1M.
Let's look at the scenario where most people prefer to pay the extra $2 and sit in the "premium" seats, given they are being being marketed as "preferred viewing". So let's assume the the theater is never fully sold out, but the 72 seats "preferred viewing"" seats are always sold out (for simplicity). Then the premium model nets out $2.5M while the $0.5 model nets $630k.
There are other variables and assumptions that could impact the numbers but given the range of possibilities, the $2 model may actually be beneficial for the theater.
Still a dick move though.
my theatre (Cinemark) raised prices 25-50% when theaters re-opened after the initial closing in 2020/1. I am pretty sure they've raised it again since then, but I don't go enough anymore to notice really.
woah woah we don’t have time for logic and math and shit, we need profits. just make the best 1/3rd of the seats more expensive and cheapen the 12 seats nobody uses so they think it’s a fair deal. it’ll work trust me bro
Sold out? Ha! The last 20 times I have been to any theaters near me, even 2 about a half hour away in VERY busy areas there's been 10 others in the theater, tops! A few my son and I were the ONLY ones in the theater! I'd be curious to know if that was like that anywhere else?
For real, especially after COVID, people are just starting to come back kind of to the theaters and the tone deaf leadership rolls out this shit?
I'm looking forward to their press announcement in another week when they say this was "released accidentally" and isn't happening.
If it wasn't this, it would be all standard seating except ticket prices would go up $1.50. At least this way, you get a choice in the matter. Maybe the choice sucks, but at least it sucks less if you correctly weigh your sightline-to-dollar preference.
I love how people are freaking out about this, saying it will be the death of theaters, as if every other auditorium-based art doesn’t already charge different prices for seats in different locations.
Sports stadiums charge a lot more for court-side than nosebleeds. Ballets charge more for the front orchestra sections vs the upper deck. This is simply movie theaters catching up, by providing both a value and premium option, while also keeping an option for standard price.
ive been to one movie in a theater since covid and that was top gun that i felt like i HAD to see it in the theater... this is definitely just another reason im not going to go out of my way to watch anything in the theater lol.
Same. I saw Avatar and Top Gun in the theater because basically those are fireworks kinda shows. Not huge on plot or themes, but big on visuals. They really benefit from the huge screen, better resolution and sound that can't be beat at home.
But, I can't take my teen kids to Avatar in the theater because they are both ADHD kids and won't sit still for a 3+ hour movie. I just went by myself, and we'll watch it at home together when it's released for streaming.
Sure, but 2022 had 493 releases vs 910 in 2019. On average 2022 grossed more per film than 2019.
Probably anecdotal based on location but my theaters are usually pretty crowded. As far as the stats go I think that also speaks to the quality of movies being released. 2019 had a lot of bangers.
Film grosses aren't what the theatres take in for themselves. You're just providing the "why" for OP's "what". fewer releases = less demand for theatres, even if the films are doing better on a per-film basis.
Definitely anecdotal…. Maybe opening weekend, but during the week or on second weekends I show up last minute and get the best seats. This will be the worst when the theater is empty and you switch seats and the staff has to calm you out. This is all of the awful.
That might make a difference for individual distributors, like [Paramount having their best year since 2011 in 2022](https://www.the-numbers.com/market/distributor/Paramount-Pictures) but for exhibitors that lower domestic gross will matter more to them than if say Top Gun: Maverick made bank.
Anecdotal, but the theaters where I live (which is in Los Angeles, not exactly a sparsely populated area) are never full. The most I saw in the last two years was the turnout for Avatar 2 where about half the seats were full when the film started.
And it's not like just one theater was like that, there's 3 different AMCs I go to and they all are mostly empty.
[2019 was actually a down year for box office growth](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/) with industry gains being inconsistent for like a decade. 2022’s box office is comparable unadjusted to 2000’s to give an idea of how on the back foot distributors and theaters are.
Unlike the airline industry that will get an infinite amount of government handouts to bail them out of complete failure, the theater industry can't afford to do dumb shit like this and survive.
Will it? This has been the case for stage theatres for literally a thousand years. In the UK it's already quite common for cinemas to offer premium seats in a better position with more comfortable chairs for a higher price. I think there's a massive overreaction to this on Reddit and I really don't know why.
I don't think it's just reddit. I don't think the rest of the population will get mad, but I think this will definitely effect sales. AMC, I suspect, knows this and are hoping they can take more money from a smaller group of customers and offset the loss of a larger demographic
I'll be curious to see the effect this will have. I don't go often but I usually go a few times a year. Not really sure I'll want to pay more just to continue having the same seats I always picked
Because stage theatres have very little competition and the demand is very high so they can do stuff like that. If you want to see X show in Y city your options are very limited and you have to pay up.
Movie theatres are the complete opposite - they have extremely high competition from each other and from streaming at home. They're in a crisis of trying to find ways to make their product more attractive than just watching it at home instead.
However I think the primary reason the reaction is so strong is that the majority of people in this sub are most likely frequent movie goers. People who've gone to the cinema 10-20 times a year for decades. We've gone to hundreds of movies during our lives and in each one the best seats were always "first come first serve". That's a cultural expectation of the movie going superfan and this is going to be extremely unpopular because of it.
To do something so offensive to their core customers who buy the most tickets is going to have severe backlash.
Zero chance these chairs are nicer or the floor is cleaner. The issue is they haven’t changed the experience in any meaningful way while still charging insane prices when I can just wait a month and see it at home while eating whatever food I want Vs 15 dollar popcorn.
Theaters are struggling and this move certainly won’t help AMC in any meaningful way.
I mean movies are still cheaper than concerts, operas, ballets, plays, musicals, sporting events, bowling, dinner, two hours at a bar etc etc etc and Why the fuck would anyone buy $15 popcorn you buy cheap snacks at the store and sneak them in
I mean you mentioned a lot of live events which have the distinct advantage of being live in person. I can watch any of these movies at home all I have to do is wait a month or two. I cant wait a month or two to see a comedian in my living room in person it’s a different experience completely.
You could sneak stuff in but that doesn’t change the fact they continue to make the experience worse not better. If I wasnt going to AMC before I am certainly not going to their theaters now. Pretending there isn’t a major issue in this market won’t save it.
The problem is: it's getting more and more easy to have a theater experience at home.
Back when most people had a CRT tv that was 20 or 24 inches it made a lot of sense to go to the movies to see something on a big screen. But now it's pretty affordable to get a 60-70" TV, and sit in your own comfortable chairs.
Add COVID into that, with everyone stuck at home and upgrading their entertainment setup. It's not surprising fewer people are paying big money to go to the theater, unless it's a movie they *absolutely* want to see
Yeah I don’t buy this theater at home bullshit. A 60 to 70 inch tv is Jack shit compared to a movie theater screen. If I really want a home theatre experience I’m shelling out thousands and thousands of dollars. Or I could just go to the movies a couple times a year for the next 40 years.
While I completely agree that home theaters are no match for the real thing, I don’t think most people really care about the superior audio visual experience the cinema provides. Hell, my friends and family didn’t even bat an eye when I upgraded my home theater to a 77 inch OLED with an incredible surround system. Most of them are happy watching Netflix or HBOMax on their 55 inch TV at home. My girlfriend mostly watches movies on her phone.
So I guess what I’m saying is the theater experience isn’t really worth it for most people. They just want to consume the content as conveniently as possible.
I used to go see every new blockbuster or franchise in theatres. Bond, Marvel, Star Wars, etc I'm basically your ideal target audience because I just enjoy movies. I'm easy to entertain with cinema.
COVID changed that 1000%. The only movies I've seen in a theatre since 2020 is Doc Strange 2, Spiderman No Way Home, and The Menu. It's so much easier to just pause the movie, go smoke a bowl, grab a soda, and crawl back into bed.
My point is not that a 70in TV is as good as the movie theater, rather that it's *good enough* for many people to not want to mess with the hassle, especially if you have kids or want to save some money
The 60 inch vs movie theatre tradeoff is that you can watch and eat in the peace and quiet of your own home, eat and drink far cheaper, and pause any time you want. Obviously it doesn’t completely take away from the theatre experience which id why I said it’s a tradeoff. It’s also why you’re seeing adult content being viewed less and less at movie theatres and made more for tv, while family oriented content can still thrive at the box office.
If this explanation doesn’t work for you then what is your explanation for the decline?
For my family it's $60 just for tickets at my closest AMC. That's not including any sort of special or premium seats. I have an 85" TV and a good 5.2.2 sound system at home. Even if I pay for a direct to home theater release I'm paying half that. I don't have to deal with people talking or playing on their phones. My kids can go do something else if they get bored. Snacks are already at the house and even if we go get snacks specifically for the movie it's still cheaper. The investment in all of this isn't just for movies but extends to all the media we consume in that spot so the cost diminishes. Tickets amd snacks will keep going up. We do still go to our drive in for some movies a couple times a year because price wise it's a better deal and if my kids start acting crazy they can sit in the car while I sit outside.
I'm lucky to have a local video rental store that has a screen that's about 80% the size of the one in Malco theaters. If I want to watch something on a big screen I wait till they have free/ $5 year in review screenings. And the food is better and cheaper.
The chairs aren't nicer at my local AMC. Just basic seating. The AMC an hour away from me is nice and has seats that recline and heat up, though, but unless mine decides to upgrade, I couldn't imagine going back to the theater again and we'd just started going back occasionally.
Your seat location actually matters a whole lot more in a stage theatre than it does watching a movie, though. Movie theaters are small enough that the acoustics are going to be the same regardless of where you sit and the only truly bad seats are in the first couple of rows.
I agree with you, thread seems full of classic Reddit neckbeards who have probably abandoned theaters anyway and demand every movie go instantly to streaming.
I feel like these movie theatre companies are trying to shoot themselves in the feet at this point. Is there any background to that? Almost everyone agrees the #1 way to bring back movie goers is to lower ticket and food prices yet they refuse lmfao
thanks for the graphic.
off topic - i find it funny that countries will have their language, in this case german, it'll have german words then all of the sudden will throw an english word in there...ie "loveseat" or "regular".
The funny thing is English does the same thing but we usually don't think about it.
Entrepreneur and Karaoke are the only ones I can think of right now
> "[...]English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore. We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.”
-James D. Nicoll
This is why I go to my teetering, barely-breaking-even small town movie theater. I know it’s technically connected to a mid-sized chain, but they let you just grab your own seats like the good ol days.
Yeah, I like going to Regal for big movies that I really want to see but that's only like 4 times a year. Otherwise I'm at my local theater for their 6 dollar movie Wednesdays.
> Premium pricing for ~~popular~~ better seatings
I think it’s pretty reasonable. Sure, people that frequent this sub are gonna think it’s ridiculous, but we’ll have to wait and see if the general public even takes notice.
How old are you? Do you remember a time before you had to reserve seats prior to arriving at the theater? People generally don’t like having to pay extra for something they were already getting as a part of the product/service being provided.
Oh fuck that value seating chart
Who sits in a front row for an IMAX showing? I sat 4 rows back for Avatar and still felt too close
If I pay the extra two dollars I expect footrubs, bonus features and snacks
I accidentally ordered front row seats for Avengers: Endgame because I read the seating chart wrong. Was worried it was a terrible decision.
Turned out quite pleasant for me. I'll take whichever front row seat isn't taken.
Well they all are when I pay for a front row then go sit elsewhere. Who’s gonna tell me otherwise? Not like they pay any employees to tell me to move lol
4 rows back and in the center would be considered "premium" seating here, I feel like those seats are still pretty bad. Like you said the first 3 rows are definitely discount rows. maybe a row or two after that would be standard value. and then the premium section.
To each their own. I did like that it filled my entire field of vision but I wanted to sit one row further back to make sure I saw the entire frame if that makes any sense
Wasn’t bad but I wouldn’t do it again
Yeah, that's my takeaway as well. I also find it weird that they make the premium almost the entire middle section, but not the two aisle seats on each side. When I take my kids, I always choose the aisles for the access for the inevitable bathroom break.
I'm in Canada, so, this doesn't impact me, but I'm curious to what the premium charge is going to be, and how customers react to the upcharge. Do we see the cheaper tickets go first, or the best ones? People buying in advance usually want the best experience. But, psychologically, I think people react so negatively for a surcharge, that I can see people picking the cheaper to spite the system.
Edit: ticket premium is $2. $2 more for premium, $2 less for value sightline.
Those have always been like that, but this is a sudden rug pull for movie goers because they have historically not used this pricing scheme. Hopefully the backlash will be bad for AMC.
My dad used to do that all the time. He was a cop so he had little quirks like that. He always carried so if the situation provided it he would do anything in his power to stop it.
He LOVED aisle seats. As a kid I hated it but now I do the same thing. Closest to the exits and you won’t have to climb over people.
>He LOVED aisle seats. As a kid I hated it but now I do the same thing. Closest to the exits and you won’t have to climb over people.
No, but people have to climb over you lol.
does give Regal and "mom'n'pop" theaters some good marketing, though.
"Come see movies as they were meant to be seen - without paying extra for your seat"
Yeah. But here is the thing who the fuck wants a $20 dollar a month movie theater subscription. It’s a pointless model. You are better off creating a tiered status similar to airlines/casinos. The more you come and spend at AMC theaters better deals you get.
I’ve had Stubs A List in the past, it’s a great deal. One ticket for their Dolby theater is $18, so why not pay $20 if I plan on seeing more than one movie per month? I plan on resubscribing in April when some big movies start to come out. From April on there’s a ton of blockbuster films coming out the rest of the year, those are the ones I want to see in the theater anyways.
Same. It’s not a service I’d recommend everyone but if you see like 2 movies a month, it pays for itself. I don’t have A-List but Regals Unlimited and seeing a bunch of movies for either free or an upcharge of a couple of bucks for premium screens is awesome. I also get like free popcorn and drinks all the time.
… I do? I see on average 3 movies a week. It’s $30 a month for 3 movies/week here in LA, where a standard ticket is like $16. I love my a-list, I’m saving a boatload of money.
Especially since AMC already doesn’t do anything if someone is sitting in your seat. All you can do is ask them to move and if they don’t, you just have to sit somewhere else.
And now… if they do want to start enforcing correct seats, that’s opening up a lot more work and conflict resolution services that could end in upset customers and overworked employees.
I still think most people will sit in their correct seats but who knows…
I’m done with AMC anyway ever since they reactivated my monthly membership without asking permission, charging me over $100 when covid was spiking in 2021, when no one was going to movies, and they refused to give me a refund when I noticed the charges. Like seriously. I didn’t go to a single movie in that time period. Why the eff would I knowingly pay for NOTHING? They’re hurting so bad they pulled a fast one and started steeling from previously loyal customers!
Anyway. I hope this seating chart works out for them.
Right? I'm thinking I'll just buy a value sight line ticket and then just sit in the premium area. Thanks for the discount, AMC. I'm sure those 16 y/o ushers who you pay barely min wage will be eager to enforce your policies.
"Value Sightline" lmao
I live in Canada so this doesn't affect me but good thing I prefer the back row anyway, so I'd be buying normal price tickets anyway
As a huge theater fan this comes off as extremely obnoxious. By the nature of it, of course people don't want to sit in the first few rows breaking their necks. Upcharging for the center and labeling it as 'premium viewing'? Really? Leaves a bad taste. Should have kept it how it's been, first come first go with buying tickets. This is, again, obnoxious/greedy seeming. Raise tickets overall, don't micro break down sections of the theater
Whoever came up with this idea during the weekly cadence meeting at AMC headquarters needs to be tossed into the freezing lake wearing only a pair of socks. I am pretty sure other theater chains everywhere will soon pick up this idea too, dammit
I stopped going to movie theaters 5 years ago. With streaming and the home theater, and the ability to pause when you need to something, it’s a no brainer.
I hate the AMC near us and have never had a good Movie experience there. I can’t imagine paying even more money for a good seat at their terrible theaters.
It’s an extra 2 dollars, it’s like 12 dollars for a ticket here so now 14 and if you’re smart you sneak in food to begin with so you don’t have to pay anything after
Whoever in corporate thought this was a good idea, needs to fired ASAP. My local one is AMC unfortunately. Looks like I’m not seeing Ant-man in theater. If I can’t sit I their “prime” zone, I wait till it’s available. I’m not paying extra to sit in my favorite zone. Fuck you AMC.
I just looked at a couple of them near me and the nicer AMC that's all recliners doesn't have it but the one that has regular seats did.
I'm really surprised they are actually implementing this. I heard about it yesterday and figured they would backtrack after the inevitable backlash but nope. They did it. Guess I'll go to a different theater then...
This is the thing that I missed about the American movie going experience. Premium seating has been a thing in my part of the world for at least 15 years
In my country (indonesia), assigned seating has always been a feature in all theaters for as long as I can remember even before online ticketing was a thing (dozens and dozens of years), and it doesn't cost extra if it's in the same auditorium, showtime and movie.
So, the concept of having to pay extra for assigned/reserved seating is foreign to me.
They've been doing this for months at Vue cinemas
I only buy the “luxury” seats at Cinemark. I like to look down on the peasants while the staff brings me my 3rd Rum n Coke and XXX-Large popcorn.
XXX popcorn That isn't butter on those kernels.
The cloth on the seats at most movie theaters are easily removable. They remove the cloth cover from the seats and let them sit in water for a few minutes. Afterwards they take the cover out and wring it into a food grade bucket, then they reduce the water until it gets to a thicker consistency for a tasty popcorn topping. This doubles of being able to clean the seats as well as a hefty cost savings for the movie theater. Source: I worked at a movie theater.
I just threw up in my mouth a bit. 😂😂😂
That why my popcorn tasted extra juicy following the Magic Mike movies.
You could almost taste the excitement during the 50 shades movies.
Stepbro?! I didn't know *you* worked here!
Odeon even longer than that.
So if the theater completely sells out they stand to make an extra $90 over current pricing. There is roughly 250ish seats here. They could have raised prices $0.50, made more money than this plan and there is no news story. The public would not have even noticed or cared.
More importantly, if the theater doesn't sell out and its 2 people in the theater who bought the cheap seats, which high school kid is going to sit in the theater to enforce the 'you paid for the cheap seats, now stay in the cheap seats' policy?
This is exactly what I’m thinking! Sold out movies, sure, but an empty theater on a Wednesday afternoon?? I seriously wonder how tight enforcement will be and if people won’t just default to buying cheap seats and just moving to better seats if the theater is empty
Why would they care about the policy on non sold out shows? Enough honest people will pay the $2. They're not going to fret over the idiots trying to steal something that can't be lost. It isn't worth the cost/trouble.
I feel like the people concerned about this have never brought in their own snacks.
Or vaporizers, video recording devices, or laser pointers, or a carefully planned microwaveable heated ramen cup. Puritans.
I’m not so sure people moving to better seats are the idiots…
Let's assume some averages * 6 shows per day * 8 screens per location * Sold out 50% of the time * 365 days a year (duh) The $2 "preferred viewing"" seats model results in roughly $788k while the $0.5c model results in $1.1M. Let's look at the scenario where most people prefer to pay the extra $2 and sit in the "premium" seats, given they are being being marketed as "preferred viewing". So let's assume the the theater is never fully sold out, but the 72 seats "preferred viewing"" seats are always sold out (for simplicity). Then the premium model nets out $2.5M while the $0.5 model nets $630k. There are other variables and assumptions that could impact the numbers but given the range of possibilities, the $2 model may actually be beneficial for the theater. Still a dick move though.
>Sold out 50% of the time Sold out what now?
I will sit on the edge. The screens are as big as a house, pretty sure it's not going to really matter. And I like being on the end anyway.
Seriously, aisle seats are always preferred for me. Airplanes, movies, ball games, theaters, waiting areas.
Same I always sit on the edge so I can use the restroom and not have to walk in front of ppl lol
Why don’t you work for AMC?
my theatre (Cinemark) raised prices 25-50% when theaters re-opened after the initial closing in 2020/1. I am pretty sure they've raised it again since then, but I don't go enough anymore to notice really.
This is possibly a test of price sensitivity.
They were concerned movie theaters weren’t going out of business fast enough.
woah woah we don’t have time for logic and math and shit, we need profits. just make the best 1/3rd of the seats more expensive and cheapen the 12 seats nobody uses so they think it’s a fair deal. it’ll work trust me bro
news flash, they are still going to raise prices
Sold out? Ha! The last 20 times I have been to any theaters near me, even 2 about a half hour away in VERY busy areas there's been 10 others in the theater, tops! A few my son and I were the ONLY ones in the theater! I'd be curious to know if that was like that anywhere else?
They probably already did raise the price tbh
As if movie theaters weren’t dying already; this will just hasten it.
For real, especially after COVID, people are just starting to come back kind of to the theaters and the tone deaf leadership rolls out this shit? I'm looking forward to their press announcement in another week when they say this was "released accidentally" and isn't happening.
Yeah, the timing is just bad. Should have waiting like another year when folks are much more comfortable and used to coming back to theaters.
They could just not do this at all. That'd be great.
Agreed
If it wasn't this, it would be all standard seating except ticket prices would go up $1.50. At least this way, you get a choice in the matter. Maybe the choice sucks, but at least it sucks less if you correctly weigh your sightline-to-dollar preference.
I love how people are freaking out about this, saying it will be the death of theaters, as if every other auditorium-based art doesn’t already charge different prices for seats in different locations. Sports stadiums charge a lot more for court-side than nosebleeds. Ballets charge more for the front orchestra sections vs the upper deck. This is simply movie theaters catching up, by providing both a value and premium option, while also keeping an option for standard price.
ive been to one movie in a theater since covid and that was top gun that i felt like i HAD to see it in the theater... this is definitely just another reason im not going to go out of my way to watch anything in the theater lol.
Same. I saw Avatar and Top Gun in the theater because basically those are fireworks kinda shows. Not huge on plot or themes, but big on visuals. They really benefit from the huge screen, better resolution and sound that can't be beat at home. But, I can't take my teen kids to Avatar in the theater because they are both ADHD kids and won't sit still for a 3+ hour movie. I just went by myself, and we'll watch it at home together when it's released for streaming.
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if youre bold and daring, go check out r/amcstock and see all the corporate boot lickers circlejerking themselves into bliss over this idea
Oo, I do so love the cringe from cancerous subreddits EDIT: Ooff, it's bad over there. I didn't even last 5 minutes.
And isnt amc doing way better than anyone expected them to? This shit is baffling
Huh? People have been back at the movies for a very long time.
Total domestic box office in 2022 is still like 65% of what it was in 2019. Theaters can’t really sustain themselves as things are.
Sure, but 2022 had 493 releases vs 910 in 2019. On average 2022 grossed more per film than 2019. Probably anecdotal based on location but my theaters are usually pretty crowded. As far as the stats go I think that also speaks to the quality of movies being released. 2019 had a lot of bangers.
Film grosses aren't what the theatres take in for themselves. You're just providing the "why" for OP's "what". fewer releases = less demand for theatres, even if the films are doing better on a per-film basis.
Precisely.
Definitely anecdotal…. Maybe opening weekend, but during the week or on second weekends I show up last minute and get the best seats. This will be the worst when the theater is empty and you switch seats and the staff has to calm you out. This is all of the awful.
You realize this is also anecdotal?
100% 🙃
That might make a difference for individual distributors, like [Paramount having their best year since 2011 in 2022](https://www.the-numbers.com/market/distributor/Paramount-Pictures) but for exhibitors that lower domestic gross will matter more to them than if say Top Gun: Maverick made bank.
Anecdotal, but the theaters where I live (which is in Los Angeles, not exactly a sparsely populated area) are never full. The most I saw in the last two years was the turnout for Avatar 2 where about half the seats were full when the film started. And it's not like just one theater was like that, there's 3 different AMCs I go to and they all are mostly empty.
^ what he said lol
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[2019 was actually a down year for box office growth](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/) with industry gains being inconsistent for like a decade. 2022’s box office is comparable unadjusted to 2000’s to give an idea of how on the back foot distributors and theaters are.
My sofa hasn’t raised prices in several years.
And it has my favorite whisky to enjoy with the film.
Unlike the airline industry that will get an infinite amount of government handouts to bail them out of complete failure, the theater industry can't afford to do dumb shit like this and survive.
Will it? This has been the case for stage theatres for literally a thousand years. In the UK it's already quite common for cinemas to offer premium seats in a better position with more comfortable chairs for a higher price. I think there's a massive overreaction to this on Reddit and I really don't know why.
I don't think it's just reddit. I don't think the rest of the population will get mad, but I think this will definitely effect sales. AMC, I suspect, knows this and are hoping they can take more money from a smaller group of customers and offset the loss of a larger demographic
It's a fair bet, given at least 50% of the people vocally complaining about this wouldn't have been going to the cinema anyway.
I'll be curious to see the effect this will have. I don't go often but I usually go a few times a year. Not really sure I'll want to pay more just to continue having the same seats I always picked
Because stage theatres have very little competition and the demand is very high so they can do stuff like that. If you want to see X show in Y city your options are very limited and you have to pay up. Movie theatres are the complete opposite - they have extremely high competition from each other and from streaming at home. They're in a crisis of trying to find ways to make their product more attractive than just watching it at home instead. However I think the primary reason the reaction is so strong is that the majority of people in this sub are most likely frequent movie goers. People who've gone to the cinema 10-20 times a year for decades. We've gone to hundreds of movies during our lives and in each one the best seats were always "first come first serve". That's a cultural expectation of the movie going superfan and this is going to be extremely unpopular because of it. To do something so offensive to their core customers who buy the most tickets is going to have severe backlash.
Plus we are living in a time where everyplace you go is asking for money and people are tired of paying for more. At some point you will say no
Zero chance these chairs are nicer or the floor is cleaner. The issue is they haven’t changed the experience in any meaningful way while still charging insane prices when I can just wait a month and see it at home while eating whatever food I want Vs 15 dollar popcorn. Theaters are struggling and this move certainly won’t help AMC in any meaningful way.
I mean movies are still cheaper than concerts, operas, ballets, plays, musicals, sporting events, bowling, dinner, two hours at a bar etc etc etc and Why the fuck would anyone buy $15 popcorn you buy cheap snacks at the store and sneak them in
I mean you mentioned a lot of live events which have the distinct advantage of being live in person. I can watch any of these movies at home all I have to do is wait a month or two. I cant wait a month or two to see a comedian in my living room in person it’s a different experience completely. You could sneak stuff in but that doesn’t change the fact they continue to make the experience worse not better. If I wasnt going to AMC before I am certainly not going to their theaters now. Pretending there isn’t a major issue in this market won’t save it.
Wait, doesn’t everyone else hire operas and ballet companies to perform live in your garage? How do you all live?
You only have to 2 weeks, or even not at all sometimes even.
The problem is: it's getting more and more easy to have a theater experience at home. Back when most people had a CRT tv that was 20 or 24 inches it made a lot of sense to go to the movies to see something on a big screen. But now it's pretty affordable to get a 60-70" TV, and sit in your own comfortable chairs. Add COVID into that, with everyone stuck at home and upgrading their entertainment setup. It's not surprising fewer people are paying big money to go to the theater, unless it's a movie they *absolutely* want to see
Yeah I don’t buy this theater at home bullshit. A 60 to 70 inch tv is Jack shit compared to a movie theater screen. If I really want a home theatre experience I’m shelling out thousands and thousands of dollars. Or I could just go to the movies a couple times a year for the next 40 years.
While I completely agree that home theaters are no match for the real thing, I don’t think most people really care about the superior audio visual experience the cinema provides. Hell, my friends and family didn’t even bat an eye when I upgraded my home theater to a 77 inch OLED with an incredible surround system. Most of them are happy watching Netflix or HBOMax on their 55 inch TV at home. My girlfriend mostly watches movies on her phone. So I guess what I’m saying is the theater experience isn’t really worth it for most people. They just want to consume the content as conveniently as possible.
I’d add that for most movies/content there is no benefit to the theater experience vs at home viewing.
I used to go see every new blockbuster or franchise in theatres. Bond, Marvel, Star Wars, etc I'm basically your ideal target audience because I just enjoy movies. I'm easy to entertain with cinema. COVID changed that 1000%. The only movies I've seen in a theatre since 2020 is Doc Strange 2, Spiderman No Way Home, and The Menu. It's so much easier to just pause the movie, go smoke a bowl, grab a soda, and crawl back into bed.
My point is not that a 70in TV is as good as the movie theater, rather that it's *good enough* for many people to not want to mess with the hassle, especially if you have kids or want to save some money
The 60 inch vs movie theatre tradeoff is that you can watch and eat in the peace and quiet of your own home, eat and drink far cheaper, and pause any time you want. Obviously it doesn’t completely take away from the theatre experience which id why I said it’s a tradeoff. It’s also why you’re seeing adult content being viewed less and less at movie theatres and made more for tv, while family oriented content can still thrive at the box office. If this explanation doesn’t work for you then what is your explanation for the decline?
For my family it's $60 just for tickets at my closest AMC. That's not including any sort of special or premium seats. I have an 85" TV and a good 5.2.2 sound system at home. Even if I pay for a direct to home theater release I'm paying half that. I don't have to deal with people talking or playing on their phones. My kids can go do something else if they get bored. Snacks are already at the house and even if we go get snacks specifically for the movie it's still cheaper. The investment in all of this isn't just for movies but extends to all the media we consume in that spot so the cost diminishes. Tickets amd snacks will keep going up. We do still go to our drive in for some movies a couple times a year because price wise it's a better deal and if my kids start acting crazy they can sit in the car while I sit outside.
I'm lucky to have a local video rental store that has a screen that's about 80% the size of the one in Malco theaters. If I want to watch something on a big screen I wait till they have free/ $5 year in review screenings. And the food is better and cheaper.
Cause there's a lot of people on Reddit that are whiney little twats.
That about sums it up
The chairs aren't nicer at my local AMC. Just basic seating. The AMC an hour away from me is nice and has seats that recline and heat up, though, but unless mine decides to upgrade, I couldn't imagine going back to the theater again and we'd just started going back occasionally.
Stage theater provides a unique experience. For movies, a screen is a screen be it a projection or on the TV.
Your seat location actually matters a whole lot more in a stage theatre than it does watching a movie, though. Movie theaters are small enough that the acoustics are going to be the same regardless of where you sit and the only truly bad seats are in the first couple of rows.
I agree with you, thread seems full of classic Reddit neckbeards who have probably abandoned theaters anyway and demand every movie go instantly to streaming.
I came here to say exactly this. You would think they wouldn't be so tone deaf, but that's part of why so many theater chains are struggling.
I feel like these movie theatre companies are trying to shoot themselves in the feet at this point. Is there any background to that? Almost everyone agrees the #1 way to bring back movie goers is to lower ticket and food prices yet they refuse lmfao
I would gladly pay more and go in a theatre if they kicked out asswipes who yell and play on their phones during the film
I was about to say, to give someone more reason to be infuriated when someone turns on their phone at full brightness during the picture
Theaters ain’t dying at all bro what are you talking about lol?
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>Attendance aside So the one thing that’s ultimately important in theaters dying or not. Lots of people are going to theaters again.
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thanks for the graphic. off topic - i find it funny that countries will have their language, in this case german, it'll have german words then all of the sudden will throw an english word in there...ie "loveseat" or "regular".
The funny thing is English does the same thing but we usually don't think about it. Entrepreneur and Karaoke are the only ones I can think of right now
> "[...]English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore. We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.” -James D. Nicoll
A more accurate statement has never been said.
Glacier but in english it’s pronounced “glay-shur.” Don’t know why it got special treatment while entrepreneur stayed the same
Are those standard Germany ticket prices? They're higher in the US. By me, the standard (not IMAX) 3D tickets are currently $22 ($20,50EU).
This shit is gross. Fuck AMC
This is why I go to my teetering, barely-breaking-even small town movie theater. I know it’s technically connected to a mid-sized chain, but they let you just grab your own seats like the good ol days.
Yeah, I like going to Regal for big movies that I really want to see but that's only like 4 times a year. Otherwise I'm at my local theater for their 6 dollar movie Wednesdays.
Love to hear it! I like MJR for my alternate, anything to get away from Nicole Kidman
I actually prefer reserving my own seat. I hated the days when people would rush to grab a seat
Why, what's up?
Premium pricing for popular seatings
Oh, I didn't see that. Fuckers
> Premium pricing for ~~popular~~ better seatings I think it’s pretty reasonable. Sure, people that frequent this sub are gonna think it’s ridiculous, but we’ll have to wait and see if the general public even takes notice.
How old are you? Do you remember a time before you had to reserve seats prior to arriving at the theater? People generally don’t like having to pay extra for something they were already getting as a part of the product/service being provided.
Every sporting event does this already. It makes sense to me, people just don’t like change
Oh fuck that value seating chart Who sits in a front row for an IMAX showing? I sat 4 rows back for Avatar and still felt too close If I pay the extra two dollars I expect footrubs, bonus features and snacks
You only sit in the front once, then you learn your lesson
Unless the showing is full and that’s the only seats available. That I can bite my tongue for.
Yeah like the time I saw "Semi-Pro" in the front seat while having an acid trip. Not for me. Never again.
I accidentally ordered front row seats for Avengers: Endgame because I read the seating chart wrong. Was worried it was a terrible decision. Turned out quite pleasant for me. I'll take whichever front row seat isn't taken.
I like sitting up close as well. You feel closer to the action imo
That’s why it’s $2 off lol
I was hoping more than just the front row would be a discounted price tbh
I agree with that
Well they all are when I pay for a front row then go sit elsewhere. Who’s gonna tell me otherwise? Not like they pay any employees to tell me to move lol
4 rows back and in the center would be considered "premium" seating here, I feel like those seats are still pretty bad. Like you said the first 3 rows are definitely discount rows. maybe a row or two after that would be standard value. and then the premium section.
I sat in the front row and felt like I was IN the movie. It was great. Now I have to say goodbye to my guaranteed favorite seat.
To each their own. I did like that it filled my entire field of vision but I wanted to sit one row further back to make sure I saw the entire frame if that makes any sense Wasn’t bad but I wouldn’t do it again
Yep, have to keep looking side to side. Made me nauseous.
You mean feel like an ant in the movie.
Why? You think they will sell out more because they are cheaper?
That’s more upcharged seating than I was expecting.
Yeah, I kinda expected more "zones" and definately more "discount seats" than just the very first row.
Yeah, that's my takeaway as well. I also find it weird that they make the premium almost the entire middle section, but not the two aisle seats on each side. When I take my kids, I always choose the aisles for the access for the inevitable bathroom break. I'm in Canada, so, this doesn't impact me, but I'm curious to what the premium charge is going to be, and how customers react to the upcharge. Do we see the cheaper tickets go first, or the best ones? People buying in advance usually want the best experience. But, psychologically, I think people react so negatively for a surcharge, that I can see people picking the cheaper to spite the system. Edit: ticket premium is $2. $2 more for premium, $2 less for value sightline.
Thankfully I don't live in the US Those right at the center seats are my priority seats when I buy advanced reserved seating tickets
I don’t think I’ve seen a movie in the last decade where my seat wouldn’t have been charged $2 extra, from that map.
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Same thing is done for airlines, games, and concerts. And people are shocked about this?
Those have always been like that, but this is a sudden rug pull for movie goers because they have historically not used this pricing scheme. Hopefully the backlash will be bad for AMC.
Will still always choose seats on the side. Quickest to the exit.
This is a theater, not a plane! Do yourself a favor and sit in the middle halfway up sometime. It really is better.
3/4 of the way up.
That also works. As long as your viewing position is around the center of the screen.
Fr unless you have a really small bladder then what's the with the rush about leaving.
Some people have anxiety and like the option to make a quick exit. They need the security of not being trapped, be it by chairs or other people.
Same! Always go for the aisle seats
My dad used to do that all the time. He was a cop so he had little quirks like that. He always carried so if the situation provided it he would do anything in his power to stop it. He LOVED aisle seats. As a kid I hated it but now I do the same thing. Closest to the exits and you won’t have to climb over people.
>He LOVED aisle seats. As a kid I hated it but now I do the same thing. Closest to the exits and you won’t have to climb over people. No, but people have to climb over you lol.
This is the most American thing I’ve ever seen.
This means more people are just going to wait for the movie to come to a streaming service.
does give Regal and "mom'n'pop" theaters some good marketing, though. "Come see movies as they were meant to be seen - without paying extra for your seat"
Until they eventually join in
so you can buy one of the those premium tickets or get a month of A-list.
I think that’s the purpose of this right? Force people to pay the $20 a month subscription fee cuz why not if the movie costs almost $20 anyways.
Yeah. But here is the thing who the fuck wants a $20 dollar a month movie theater subscription. It’s a pointless model. You are better off creating a tiered status similar to airlines/casinos. The more you come and spend at AMC theaters better deals you get.
I’ve had Stubs A List in the past, it’s a great deal. One ticket for their Dolby theater is $18, so why not pay $20 if I plan on seeing more than one movie per month? I plan on resubscribing in April when some big movies start to come out. From April on there’s a ton of blockbuster films coming out the rest of the year, those are the ones I want to see in the theater anyways.
Same. It’s not a service I’d recommend everyone but if you see like 2 movies a month, it pays for itself. I don’t have A-List but Regals Unlimited and seeing a bunch of movies for either free or an upcharge of a couple of bucks for premium screens is awesome. I also get like free popcorn and drinks all the time.
… I do? I see on average 3 movies a week. It’s $30 a month for 3 movies/week here in LA, where a standard ticket is like $16. I love my a-list, I’m saving a boatload of money.
I'm colorblind, they're all premium to me.
If you really are, it's the center 8x9 block. The front row is discounted.
Guess I'll be spending more money on lube. Considering that AMC is trying to fuck us!
That’ll be fun trying to enforce that.
Especially since AMC already doesn’t do anything if someone is sitting in your seat. All you can do is ask them to move and if they don’t, you just have to sit somewhere else. And now… if they do want to start enforcing correct seats, that’s opening up a lot more work and conflict resolution services that could end in upset customers and overworked employees. I still think most people will sit in their correct seats but who knows… I’m done with AMC anyway ever since they reactivated my monthly membership without asking permission, charging me over $100 when covid was spiking in 2021, when no one was going to movies, and they refused to give me a refund when I noticed the charges. Like seriously. I didn’t go to a single movie in that time period. Why the eff would I knowingly pay for NOTHING? They’re hurting so bad they pulled a fast one and started steeling from previously loyal customers! Anyway. I hope this seating chart works out for them.
Right? I'm thinking I'll just buy a value sight line ticket and then just sit in the premium area. Thanks for the discount, AMC. I'm sure those 16 y/o ushers who you pay barely min wage will be eager to enforce your policies.
So cool
Jokes on them, I usually sit in the white section anyway.
Uhhhhhhh
/r/holup
I *only* sit in the white section. You will never see me near the yellows.
"Value Sightline" lmao I live in Canada so this doesn't affect me but good thing I prefer the back row anyway, so I'd be buying normal price tickets anyway
Another reason why amc sucks, luckily I’ve got a regal nearby
Oh no, don't get too excited they suck too, and if this doesn't get retracted, regal will probably follow suit as well.
Hope it doesn't apply to unlimited purchases
If you have Premier then this doesn’t affect you right?
This is so fucking dumb
Yet another reason to never go to the theater again.
As a huge theater fan this comes off as extremely obnoxious. By the nature of it, of course people don't want to sit in the first few rows breaking their necks. Upcharging for the center and labeling it as 'premium viewing'? Really? Leaves a bad taste. Should have kept it how it's been, first come first go with buying tickets. This is, again, obnoxious/greedy seeming. Raise tickets overall, don't micro break down sections of the theater
My local theater raised all prices by $2 regardless of seating.
I don’t understand. If no one wants to sit there, why don’t they just remove the front row?
I like how this has created more controversy than if they just raised all ticket prices by $2.
Whoever came up with this idea during the weekly cadence meeting at AMC headquarters needs to be tossed into the freezing lake wearing only a pair of socks. I am pretty sure other theater chains everywhere will soon pick up this idea too, dammit
I told myself I’d be going to the movies more but idk anymore
I’m starting to think AMC & Netflix want people to pirate
I stopped going to movie theaters 5 years ago. With streaming and the home theater, and the ability to pause when you need to something, it’s a no brainer.
I hate the AMC near us and have never had a good Movie experience there. I can’t imagine paying even more money for a good seat at their terrible theaters.
It’s an extra 2 dollars, it’s like 12 dollars for a ticket here so now 14 and if you’re smart you sneak in food to begin with so you don’t have to pay anything after
Well. This gives me a good excuse to stop using AMC.
Yeah sneak your snacks in over the overpriced shit inside
I have been though…
If I pay $2 more it better come with a “shut the fuck you asshole” button..
Fuck amc
Whoever in corporate thought this was a good idea, needs to fired ASAP. My local one is AMC unfortunately. Looks like I’m not seeing Ant-man in theater. If I can’t sit I their “prime” zone, I wait till it’s available. I’m not paying extra to sit in my favorite zone. Fuck you AMC.
I just looked at a couple of them near me and the nicer AMC that's all recliners doesn't have it but the one that has regular seats did. I'm really surprised they are actually implementing this. I heard about it yesterday and figured they would backtrack after the inevitable backlash but nope. They did it. Guess I'll go to a different theater then...
Well, now I have no reason to ever go to the movie theater again.
AMC is not the only chain.
No but if this gets successfully rolled out, you know the others won't be far behind with their own "premium seating" too
This is what my pandemic stock went to? Glad I sold it all they can get fucked
This is the thing that I missed about the American movie going experience. Premium seating has been a thing in my part of the world for at least 15 years
In my country (indonesia), assigned seating has always been a feature in all theaters for as long as I can remember even before online ticketing was a thing (dozens and dozens of years), and it doesn't cost extra if it's in the same auditorium, showtime and movie. So, the concept of having to pay extra for assigned/reserved seating is foreign to me.
Jackpot. I prefer the back row or isle seats.
I will continue to not go to the movie theatre and wait for the home release, thanks AMC for continuing to make it an easy choice.
Oh that’s not as bad as I thought. Still wouldn’t ever do it though. And $2 off for the horrible front row is a jok
I really hope this becomes a terrible decision for them.