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Movie Ticket Prices Over the Years

August 29, 2016 by Justin Weinger

Going to the movies used to be a big deal, as it meant a night on the town, dressed up, seeing a newly released movie that had not been seen yet.  While the Hollywood premiere may not take place for all of us these days, movies still hold a special place in entertainment, much as sports and music have as well.  While a movie used to only cost a quarter and now we are paying over ten dollars for premium movies and times, and even more for 3-D shows.

According to a recent study by MooseRoots, a genealogy data site from Graphiq, calculated what the inflation-adjusted cost of the movie ticket would be in 2016, taken from the average cost of a movie ticket since 1940 from the Motion Picture Association of America.  The comparison may be somewhat surprising:

1940 – Cost $0.24 (real 2016 cost $4.09)

1950 – Cost $0.50 (real 2016 cost $4.97)

1960 – Cost $0.60 (real 2016 cost $4.87)

1970 – Cost $1.55 (real 2016 cost $10.00)

1980 – Cost $2.69 (real 2016 cost $8.77)

1990 – Cost $4.23 (real 2016 cost $8.08)

2000 – Cost $5.39 (real 2016 cost $7.66)

2010 – Cost $7.89  (real 2016 cost $8.71)

2016 – $8.70

As you can see using the 2016 cost from 1940 of $4.09 compared to $8.70 now, there is a 213% increase, but when you think about it, is only a few dollars over the course of the past 76 years.

Perhaps another study may not say the same for concessions however, where in addition to the cost of the movie ticket, one can expect to pay $6 for a small popcorn or soda, or $10 for a cocktail if your local theater sells liquor.  Not only is it an expensive date, but if you have an entire family going to see a (probably) mediocre movie, along with some snacks and drinks could cost upwards of $100.  With matinee pricing being considerably less, or seeing a movie during a week day during later hours, could save half of the average ticket price.  You could always wait until it comes to a second-run theater, or with the amount of home theaters that can rival the real deal, rent the movie at home when it comes out for a few dollars and curl up and enjoy with the family.

Filed Under: Frugal

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