Top Ten Worst Things About Movie Theatres
I love going out to see movies (duh), and that means movie theatres. And unfortunately, movie theatres don't always go out of their way to make your movie-going experience a pleasant one. This list compiles the ten things we hate most about movie theatres (especially big chains).
In Canada at least, it is very expensive to get even the smallest bag of popcorn and a small soda. Of course, most people want medium or large sizes, along with candy, nachos, or those special "collectible" cup tops with the latest blockbuster movie character on them.
Trust me, if you're buying tickets and snacks and paying for more than just yourself, you'll be spending over $50 easily. Oh, and now they charge an extra dollar for butter. It's evil.
It's insane! They tempt you with the smell of buttery goodness, even though you know it's a total ripoff. Then, of course, you buy it. sigh But theater popcorn is truly delicious. I just don't have $8 to spend on a bag of popcorn that's likely worth $0.50 anywhere else.
Concession prices are worse, but the movie tickets themselves are still a pain to pay for. The big chains complain that fewer young people are coming to see movies these days, but they seem oblivious to why that is. I almost only ever go to theatres on Tuesdays because tickets are cheaper (currently around $6 for a regular ticket on Tuesdays, while it's around $10 on a normal day).
You know, theatres, you're only sending more potential customers to Netflix by being so dang expensive! Wake up!
Ticket prices are outrageous!
This isn't always the case, but the theatre I frequent does a pretty decent job of having relatively friendly, understanding, and efficient staff members. However, not every theatre does the same great job.
It's not uncommon to run into an employee who simply doesn't care that they just saw you walk into the theatre two minutes before you had to use the restroom. They'll still demand to see your ticket. There are dozens of other common issues you can run into with workers at any establishment, but I'm not going to write a three-page comment.
They always take forever to "clean" the theatre in between showings, don't they? And for what? There's always leftover pieces of popcorn, candy wrappers, and STICKY FLOORS! Yuck. Of course, this issue is magnified a thousand times in theatres playing the latest kids' movie.
You'd think with a thousand people in the building on any given weekend, they'd have appropriately-sized washrooms. Nope. Guys don't even take that long, yet I'm still waiting all the time for a urinal. I can only imagine how bad it must be for women. Actually, I don't even want to think about it.
Why is it that on the busiest nights there's only one register open when there should be four? It always happens. Whether it's the ticket booth, the concession counter, or any other counter, you'll just have to wait twenty minutes.
The problem, besides only having one register open, is the people who can't make up their minds about what they want from the concession stand until they reach the checkout.
Don't even bother asking to speak with the manager because I guarantee they won't care about whatever problem you have. They're just going to try to end the situation as quickly and painlessly as possible, whether or not it really benefits anyone.
So, I guess they technically do help, but you won't feel any more respected afterward.
Oh my god, they are so annoying. I just got back from watching Avengers: Endgame, and during the movie, a baby started crying and kept saying "mama" every single minute. They need to ban babies and toddlers from PG-13 movies! God, this world can be a handful sometimes.
Honestly, there should be a law or policy that bans kids under 10 from going to movie theaters.
Parents, don't bring your 1-year-old to a movie theater. Wait until they're AT LEAST 5 or 6, or until they learn to be quiet.
This isn't something that can really be improved or something we should resent a theatre for having, but those front seats that are usually separate from the bulk of the seating are REALLY TERRIBLE. Thankfully, I've never been forced to sit in them since I always arrive at the theatre with enough time to get decent-to-great seats (a fact I am proud to admit).
But those poor souls stuck sitting in the VERY front section of seats have my pity - especially during a 3D movie.
I don't see why people like sitting so close to the screen. I prefer sitting close to the back but not too far. That way, I can see the whole picture without having to move my head around.
When I was about 21 or 22, I used to work at a movie theatre in San Diego, so this had to be in 2001 or 2002. One day, a Samoan lady came in, sat by the back exit, and began talking loudly and obnoxiously on her phone. Within the first 10 minutes, 5 or 6 different people had already complained to me about her. So, I ended up having to approach her and politely ask her to please take her phone calls somewhere else and to be more considerate of the people around her.
The lady fired up into a complete rage and told me I was a horrible employee who wasn't doing my job correctly. I was really upset and embarrassed because, in my year and a half of working there, I had never felt so hurt and in pain. My manager came out after hearing the noise and told the lady to get the hell out and never come back. As she stormed out of the theatre, she took some old man's popcorn out of his hand and threw the whole bucket at me. She then left, and I never saw her again. I quit my job shortly after that.
The Newcomers
I was watching Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and right near me were these kids who wouldn't shut up! God, please have some consideration for others!
Unfortunately, one of my close friends is one of these. In the MIDDLE of Jurassic World, he asked me to explain the difference between a brontosaurus and a brachiosaurus!
My sister talks constantly at home and at the theatre. I always sit next to my mother instead, so I don't miss anything by getting an earful of stupid stuff.
I haven't seen that happen where I live yet, but it's not like the staff cares enough anyway to try and take outside food away from customers.
My dad and I sneak in candy from Rite-Aid to the theater. The good news is they never even notice, because my dad hides it in his coat.
It would really suck if they took your chips away when you sneak them into the movie theater.
I agree. I find it completely irritating when the movie starts late due to excessive ads.
I might as well come 10 minutes after the start time. I did that once and didn't have to sit through the ads.
I remember when I went to the movie theater in August and December 2017, the speakers were really loud.
It's stupid! At great movies like Coco and Moana, nobody clapped! But at terrible movies like Diary of a Wimpy Kid and The Emoji Movie, with such annoying character voices, everyone cheered! People probably clap at bad movies because they're pretending to like them.
My mom and sister always clap if other people are clapping, and they don't if others aren't. I really don't get it. The actors and directors aren't even there! My dad never claps, and I'm the same way. When I was younger, people never clapped at the end of movies at the same theater near us that they clap at now. These days, it's usually a 50-50 chance whether there will be clapping or not.
Obviously, astronauts can hear you eating and drinking that last drop of soda. Seriously, dude, there is nothing left!