3D Ticket Prices are on the rise... in secrecy!

[Antithesis]

Move if it does not belong here:

http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/03/25/...-this-weekend/

http://www.slashfilm.com/wp/wp-conte...3d-glasses.jpg
Grosses for Avatar and Alice in Wonderland are already high, but 3D movies will soon see even more inflated box-office tallies, thanks to price hikes that go into effect tomorrow, Friday March 26.

Theaters owned by Regal Entertainment Group, Cinemark Holdings and AMC Entertainment will push 3D ticket prices higher, with the percentage increase set to vary depending upon the market.

The Wall Street Journal reports on the price hikes, which are significant in some areas. The primary showings affected are 3D, but some standard presentations will now be slightly more expensive, as well. As an example, the paper says,

At one Seattle multiplex, adult admission is rising to $11 from $10 for a conventional film, to $15 from $13.50 for a regular 3-D showing and to $17 from $15 for Imax 3-D.

IMAX prices are jumping, too — catching a 3D IMAX show at New York City’s AMC Loews Kips Bay was $16.50 earlier this week. Starting tomorrow, it will run $19.50.

None of these hikes were officially announced, the WSJ points out, but the data was collected from movie-ticketing sites like Fandango. Media analyst Richard Greenfield surveyed ten markets, and found that on average 3D prices are rising 8%, while 3D IMAX prices are increasing by an almost 10% average. 2D showings, by contrast, are jumping only (ahem) 4% on average.

What the WSJ doesn’t say is where this money will go. We know that there is serious investment being made to install additional 3D screens in many markets, but will these price hikes help pay for that?

I’d expect that what the higher prices won’t pay for is more ushers to ensure that the theater experience is a pleasant one, nor are they likely to be reflected in any other immediate upgrade to theaters.

Where’s the line between a reasonable entertainment cost and pure greed. I know I would have been pissed to pay nearly $20 for one ticket to Alice in Wonderland. What’s the price threshold for you?

[Vandole]

what the fuck? i pay $5 to get into 2d movies here..

1080p DLP screens too

[Warudo Ecksu]

It's stupid that they dont let you reuse your 3D glasses. Personally 3D movies hurt the fuck out of my eyes, so I have no problem going to see stuff the old fashioned way.

Also prices kinda depend on area. Back home (AL) I used to pay half of what I pay in California.

[Omniyoji]

Well that sucks even more than it already does.

Am I the only one that prefers 2D to 3D? I probably haven't seen a 3D film since I was a kid...

[Ksandra]

It's stupid that they dont let you reuse your 3D glasses.

It depends on the theater I think. I agree though it's a serious waste of plastic with how many I've had to throw away. But when I went to ct and we took my parents to see Up, they actually had those really nice 3d glasses, that they kept and re-cleaned for each showing.

Dunno why more theaters won't do it.

[Katlan]

Avatar was the only movie I preferred in 3D, but lol at them increasing movie prices even further. All it's gonna do is makes less and less people rush to see stuff in the theater when ppl w/ tight home theater systems almost get even more enjoyment watching it at home

[Pikarya]

Yeah... I'll stick to old fashioned shit and IMAX for the big releases like tron.

[BerenTebogo]

People pay to see movies?

[Pringles]

they actually had those really nice 3d glasses, that they kept and re-cleaned for each showing.

I don't know how much I trust a high school student making minimum wage to properly disinfect 3D glasses after every single show. Especially late night shows where after the theater clears out, all the employees just wanna gtfo. I prefer cheap flimsy keepable ones to really nice ones for that reason. I'm not that much of a germaphobe, but even I get kinda sick on the thought that the person who last used them could have been an extereme sweater and the theater only sprayed a half squirt of disinfectant on the frames as they sat them down in a row next to another to save time.

I'm also sure if 3D movies really kick it off, you'll be able to bring in or sneak in your own pair of nicer glasses you buy from a store, similar to how you sneak in water and candy now. I would probably choose that option myself just so I know they are comfortable and sanitary.

[Pikarya]

People pay to see movies?

I never go unless its something 99.9% worthwhile or going to be great. Everything else stays at home.

[Priran]

3D is for and children

The amount I pay for 2D movies is rising 0% from free to free

[Cesaria]

On the 3d glasses front (I refuse to wear 'em and pay the stupid prices they're charging for the 3d movies) - the latest dumb fashion craze sweeping schools here is to nick yer 3d glasses after the film, remove the lenses and wear them... yes you too can look like a spotty adolescent Ronnie Corbett!

It's causing many teachers endless hours of amusement at how retarded all the kids look doing it.

[Pirian]

Nothing better to spend my money on - the fuck do I care? It's a dollar, lol. Sure, a dollar increase a few times a year could double the ticket price, but again, don't really care. That's why they call it "disposable income".

[vagus]

Lol. Studios got it right with 3D Movies, picking movies worth making into 3d movies. Now we're gonna get over saturated with shitty 3d Movies. The price increase doesn't help the situation either. Combine this with there fear that downloading movies hurts there bottom line, when reality quality movies will draw people to the theatre, even if someone has d/led a version of the movie.

Studios : make quality movies and put them out on DVD sooner to prevent pirating. Asia does this.

[Headspace]

Every movie should be in 3D. Not gimmick 3D, depth 3D.

But the price of a DVD to see the movie once in IMAX is ridiculous. I can buy an IMAX screen on the cheap

[Ziero]

Well that sucks even more than it already does.

Am I the only one that prefers 2D to 3D? I probably haven't seen a 3D film since I was a kid...

Every time I try and watch something in 3d with 3d glasses, everything gets all blurry. Hell, I couldn't even ever see the pictures in those magic eye posters or anything. So I really don't give a rat's ass about 3d. Though it is a great way to get out of paying to see crappy movies when my friends bug me to go out. Everyone was telling me I had to see Avatar in theaters in 3d, but I had absolutely no interest in that film and I had absolutely no interest in paying 15+ just to see it.

So go ahead, bump up the prices on 3d all you want, it won't bother me none since I won't be paying a dime to see any of it.

[Lyn]

Yay, glad I don't even like 3D. Fuck getting a headache 10 minutes in.

[Alderaan]

DVD sales are in the shitter, they gotta make up their money somehow.

[Pharaun]

Personally 3D movies hurt the fuck out of my eyes, so I have no problem going to see stuff the old fashioned way.

This, Dear God, THIS! I hate seeing movies in 3D, and I've yet to see one that made me go "wow that really needed to be in 3D". It's a bullshit gimmick that I hope dies in a fire.

[Not Kuno]

Sign me up for the "I hate 3d" group too. I barely go to the movies as is.