National Association of Theatre Owners said that the average ticket price in 2011 was $7.93, but prices in large cities are even more expensive. AMC Theaters in Los Angeles and Manhattan will be implementing surcharges up to an additional $1.50 on discounted tickets. The average price in Houston stands at about $10 to $13 per ticket depending on location and viewing style. | Monica Tso/The Daily Cougar
With tons of must-see movies opening weekly and ticket prices rising, students on a budget need to be mindful when choosing movies to watch this summer.
David Ownby, chief financial officer of Regal Entertainment Group, said he predicts that ticket prices for 2-D movies will rise three to four percent this year while theaters may add up to $5 for 3-D movies. Nonetheless, nearly $700 million will be earned during the opening weekends of 19 of the approximate 120 movies to be released this summer, based on the BoxOffice.com long-range forecast.
Anthropology senior Ana Belen Conrado plans to save by attending matinee showings.
“I really want to see ‘Elysium’ with Matt Damon and Jodie Foster because it’s like ‘District 9,’ and I’m really into all that alien-fighting action,” Conrado said. “I’m going to go really early in the morning when it’s only $5 at AMC.”
Public relations senior Samuel Colin also said he saves on the AMC’s early bird special.
“I plan to take advantage of AMC’s $5 movies before noon deal,” Colin said. “Aside from that, if they go up to $13, then I will only see the movies I must see.”
Colin’s “must-see” list includes Disney Pixar’s “Monster University” that was predicted to debut with a $78-million opening weekend, according to BoxOffice.com.
“Iron Man 3” has earned nearly $400.4 million as of June 19, followed by “Fast & Furious 6” that earned about $222 million. “Man of Steel” has earned about $153 million with less than a week in theaters.
Psychology sophomore Abigail Ramos is waiting to watch “Fast & Furious 6” and has different ideas when it comes to budgeting her summer movies.
“Honestly, they probably wouldn’t fit in my budget if movie tickets go up to $13,” Ramos said. “I’d probably find another way to watch them or wait to rent them on DVD for a dollar.”
