While I agree about the enormous costs of refreshments, part of the problem is that movie theaters for first run movies get very little of the ticket price. I have read that it can be as little as 2%. That's not very much to run a theater on unless there are lots of people attending. Hence, the concession prices, which the theater keeps and is how it really makes its money.
If a movie stays around a while (not sure how long), the theater gets a larger percentage. If it's second run, the theater gets even more. Thus, if you see a second run theater charging $3 (as one does here in the Seattle area) the theater is probably keeping more of the ticket price (as much as half), and making more per person, than did the first run theater which may only be keep 20 to 50 cents per person.
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about refreshment costs
While I agree about the enormous costs of refreshments, part of the problem is that movie theaters for first run movies get very little of the ticket price. I have read that it can be as little as 2%. That's not very much to run a theater on unless there are lots of people attending. Hence, the concession prices, which the theater keeps and is how it really makes its money.
If a movie stays around a while (not sure how long), the theater gets a larger percentage. If it's second run, the theater gets even more. Thus, if you see a second run theater charging $3 (as one does here in the Seattle area) the theater is probably keeping more of the ticket price (as much as half), and making more per person, than did the first run theater which may only be keep 20 to 50 cents per person.