Why Some Movies Are Skipped Due to Price
Movie ticket prices have climbed so high that many people now pick and choose which films to see in theaters, skipping others even if they sound interesting. This happens because tickets cost more than ever, while the number of movies released keeps growing, making it tough for average films to draw crowds.
Back in the late 2010s, theaters started charging way more for tickets, especially for premium screens like IMAX and Dolby Cinema. Prices are now about 40 percent higher than before the pandemic, according to reports on the box office slump. Fewer people are buying tickets overall, but the ones who do pay up for big screens, so total revenue looks okay on paper. In reality, attendance is down sharply, with domestic cinema visits at just 64 percent of pre-pandemic levels as of late 2025. That means everyday movies get passed over because families and fans save their money for must-see blockbusters.
The total cost of a theater trip adds up fast too. Not just tickets, but snacks and drinks have gotten pricier, outpacing regular inflation since 2010. A managing director at Roth Capital Partners noted that recent box office gains come mostly from these higher prices, not more people showing up. For details, see https://www.avclub.com/ticket-prices-movie-theater-rebound. Surveys show this hits all ages, with ticket and concession costs being a top complaint keeping folks at home.
Too many movies flood theaters each year, all fighting for the same smaller group of regular moviegoers. Wide releases, those big studio films opening on thousands of screens, made 14 percent less on average in 2025 compared to 2024. Check the analysis here: https://thatparkplace.com/the-untold-domestic-box-office-collapse-movies-made-14-less-on-average-in-2025-versus-2024/. Going to the movies used to be a weekly habit, but now it’s treated like a special event, reserved for hits like Inside Out 2 or franchise sequels that promise something huge.
Theaters try fixes like loyalty programs and targeted discounts to bring people back without slashing prices across the board. Premium perks, such as recliner seats or fancy food, boosted attendance 40 to 80 percent in some spots during the 2010s. More on theater innovations at https://www.bain.com/insights/reimagining-cinema-how-movie-theaters-can-fill-seats-again/. Events like Barbenheimer or re-releases in fancy formats also pull crowds willing to pay extra. Still, mid-tier films suffer as audiences stream cheaper options at home or wait for the big ones.
Global box office hit 30 billion dollars in 2024, down 7 percent from the year before, showing the price squeeze plays out worldwide. Learn about sales trends: https://www.accio.com/business/box-office-movie-sales-trend. And stats on what drives recovery, including price impacts, are here: https://www.statista.com/topics/13403/cinema-attendance-recovery-drivers/.
Sources
https://thatparkplace.com/the-untold-domestic-box-office-collapse-movies-made-14-less-on-average-in-2025-versus-2024/
https://www.bain.com/insights/reimagining-cinema-how-movie-theaters-can-fill-seats-again/
https://www.statista.com/topics/13403/cinema-attendance-recovery-drivers/
https://www.avclub.com/ticket-prices-movie-theater-rebound
https://www.accio.com/business/box-office-movie-sales-trend
