In 1929, a bag of popcorn cost only 5 cents (the equivalent of 62 cents after inflation) and a movie ticket cost 35 cents ($4.32 after inflation). And today, the average cost of a small popcorn is $4.75, and a movie ticket costs $7.20. Of course, modern day movie theaters make most of their money of concession purchases, because Hollywood movie studios take upwards to 70% of the opening weekend box office.
One could argue that the cost of operating and maintaining a movie theater has gone up, with surround sound systems, stadium seating and now digital projection. But others could argue that the addition of revenue from in-theater advertising has made up for those expenses. In theater ads generated $456 million in 2007, an estimated $1 – $2 per moviegoer. Also, digital projection has been proven to increase ticket sales by a rather large percentage, primarily due to 3D films, which also charge a 33% higher admission cost.
Credit : Slash Film
Picture Credit : Google
