Register  |  Sign In
View unanswered posts | View active topics It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:26 am



Reply to topic  [ 40 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
 Ticket price inflation is getting scary 
Author Message
Let's Call It A Bromance
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:22 pm
Posts: 12333
Post Ticket price inflation is getting scary
Ticket price inflation is getting out of control me thinks.

I mean look at the last few years

2003- $6.03 (+22 cents)
2004- $6.21 (+18 cents)
2005- $6.41 (+20 cents)
2006- $6.55 (+14 cents)
2007- $6.88 (+33 cents)
2008- $7.18 (+30 cents)
2009- $7.35 (+17 cents*)

* year not complete, increase could be bigger

I mean the rate that ticket price averages are getting too is making it to where we are going to see a $10 average possibly in the next 10 years and adjusted figures will just become more ridculous. I think some leveling off needs to occur soon so thinks don't go insane.

Discuss this topic.


Wed Jul 22, 2009 6:58 pm
Profile WWW
Deshi Basara
User avatar

Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:36 pm
Posts: 5322
Location: The Interstice
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
How does it compare to the consumer price index though? Is the inflation greater or less than the average product?

_________________
Top 10 Most Impressive Box Office Opening Weekends

Most Impressive Openings: Honorable Mentions


Wed Jul 22, 2009 7:02 pm
Profile
Let's Call It A Bromance
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:22 pm
Posts: 12333
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
Proud Ryu wrote:
How does it compare to the consumer price index though? Is the inflation greater or less than the average product?


I don't know how to check that.

In respnse to Magnus, yeah I remeber it being about $5 for a matinee when I was about 13 (so 2005) and at night being $7.50. Now it's $7.50 matinee and $9.25 at night.


Wed Jul 22, 2009 7:06 pm
Profile WWW
Extraordinary

Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2005 1:53 pm
Posts: 11452
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
Inflation is quite out of hand. These are the adjusted box office grosses for films that during their time, were considered big disappointments:

Godfather 3 $116.93 m
Waterworld $150.53 m
Batman and Robin $173.50 m
Godzilla $215.66 m
Wild Wild West $166.23 m
Dinosaur $189.63 m
Unbreakable $130.78 m
A.I. $103.04 m

Wild Wild West is nearly a $170 m film today. Waterworld is a $150 m film. Batman and Robin is at $174 m! Godzilla as well is at $216 m.


Wed Jul 22, 2009 7:25 pm
Profile WWW
Artie the One-Man Party

Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2005 2:53 pm
Posts: 4632
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
I agree inflation needs to slow down. But I also find comparisons such as the one O just posted pretty ridiculous. Sure, B & R technically adjusts to $174 million, but basic 'adjusted for inflation' charts don't take into account trends in audience attendance. If Batman and Robin were released today in the same conditions (i.e. following a movie like Batman Forever, being a third sequel) it still probably would have only grossed $110-$120 million. It all really levels off, as ticket prices go up, less people have gone to the movies, and at least for the last 15 years or so, I think adjusting grosses for inflation is just an empty statistic that allows us to foolishly convince ourselves that today a movie like Independence Day would make nearly $500 million, when it undoubtedly would not. Let's think about it alternatively: if ticket prices were the same as they were in say, 1996, do you really think Transformers would be on its way to outgrossing Titanic?


Wed Jul 22, 2009 7:35 pm
Profile
Extraordinary

Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2005 1:53 pm
Posts: 11452
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
paper wrote:
I agree inflation needs to slow down. But I also find comparisons such as the one O just posted pretty ridiculous. Sure, B & R technically adjusts to $174 million, but basic 'adjusted for inflation' charts don't take into account trends in audience attendance. If Batman and Robin were released today in the same conditions (i.e. following a movie like Batman Forever, being a third sequel) it still probably would have only grossed $110-$120 million. It all really levels off, as ticket prices go up, less people have gone to the movies, and at least for the last 15 years or so, I think adjusting grosses for inflation is just an empty statistic that allows us to foolishly convince ourselves that today a movie like Independence Day would make nearly $500 million, when it undoubtedly would not. Let's think about it alternatively: if ticket prices were the same as they were in say, 1996, do you really think Transformers would be on its way to outgrossing Titanic?


Well it's definitely far from perfect and there are too many factors to consider. But it does confirm how easily films are getting to $150 m, $200 m, $300 m, and even $400 m nowadays. Before the top 10 of all time was a more rare event. Now every other year we seem to see a film make it into there.

Adjusting things for inflation can give hints on box office today too though so its not worth completely discounting. Adjusted for inflation, Batman Begins was only 37% higher in admissions compared to Batman and Robin, despite having nearly twice the gross in unadjusted dollars ($200 m vs a $100 m film). Thus, it was expected that the Batman franchise could expand a lot more as it wasn't close to even the level of Batman 2 and 3 admissions wise yet (which would now both be $300 m films). The $500 m + of TDK was way past this, but the fact that Batman 2 and 3 adjusted to $300 m showed pre-TDK just how much more the franchise could re-expand its audience.

Also, more and more we're seeing films with bad wom get to $300 m. It used to be the case that only films with fantastic wom could even get close to that level.


Wed Jul 22, 2009 7:49 pm
Profile WWW
Extraordinary
User avatar

Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 12:52 am
Posts: 25990
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
O wrote:
Inflation is quite out of hand. These are the adjusted box office grosses for films that during their time, were considered big disappointments:

Godfather 3 $116.93 m
Waterworld $150.53 m
Batman and Robin $173.50 m
Godzilla $215.66 m
Wild Wild West $166.23 m
Dinosaur $189.63 m
Unbreakable $130.78 m
A.I. $103.04 m

Wild Wild West is nearly a $170 m film today. Waterworld is a $150 m film. Batman and Robin is at $174 m! Godzilla as well is at $216 m.



But expectations would be higher for all of them. If Godzilla was a 2009 film, and made $216m, it'd be a disappointment.


In fact, $216m would still have been a disappointment for it in 1998. Sony stated that it had hoped the film made at least $250m. That's why they pushed it so much.

_________________
In order of preference: Christian, Argos

MadGez wrote:
Briefs. Am used to them and boxers can get me in trouble it seems. Too much room and maybe the silkiness have created more than one awkward situation.


My Box-Office Blog: http://boxofficetracker.blogspot.com/


Wed Jul 22, 2009 7:52 pm
Profile WWW
Extraordinary

Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2005 1:53 pm
Posts: 11452
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
Box wrote:
O wrote:
Inflation is quite out of hand. These are the adjusted box office grosses for films that during their time, were considered big disappointments:

Godfather 3 $116.93 m
Waterworld $150.53 m
Batman and Robin $173.50 m
Godzilla $215.66 m
Wild Wild West $166.23 m
Dinosaur $189.63 m
Unbreakable $130.78 m
A.I. $103.04 m

Wild Wild West is nearly a $170 m film today. Waterworld is a $150 m film. Batman and Robin is at $174 m! Godzilla as well is at $216 m.



But expectations would be higher for all of them. If Godzilla was a 2009 film, and made $216m, it'd be a disappointment.


In fact, $216m would still have been a disappointment for it in 1998. Sony stated that it had hoped the film made at least $250m. That's why they pushed it so much.


Of course. Godzilla is almost a bigger version of Superman or King Kong. Both barely made back their budgets but had much higher expectations and had decent grosses but far from expectations.


Last edited by O on Wed Jul 22, 2009 7:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.



Wed Jul 22, 2009 7:54 pm
Profile WWW
Extraordinary
User avatar

Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 12:52 am
Posts: 25990
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
And both sucked.

_________________
In order of preference: Christian, Argos

MadGez wrote:
Briefs. Am used to them and boxers can get me in trouble it seems. Too much room and maybe the silkiness have created more than one awkward situation.


My Box-Office Blog: http://boxofficetracker.blogspot.com/


Wed Jul 22, 2009 7:58 pm
Profile WWW
Extraordinary

Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2005 1:53 pm
Posts: 11452
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
Box wrote:
And both sucked.


Adjusting for inflation doesn't mean adjusting for crappiness. :P


Wed Jul 22, 2009 7:59 pm
Profile WWW
Cream of the Crop
User avatar

Joined: Sun May 15, 2005 3:43 pm
Posts: 2252
Location: Wellsville, MO
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
Just a quick, and probably very stupid, question...

Why don't people look at number of admissions over how much money made? I mean, sure, the business is all about making money, but shouldn't the number of tickets sold be important in showing which movies are doing the right things and therefore, the more tickets sold, the more money made? I dunno... Maybe I'm just curious to see number of tickets sold being compared amongst the big-name movies...

Joy


Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:07 pm
Profile WWW
Forum General
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2004 2:27 pm
Posts: 6145
Location: New York
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
Yeah, the films on that "adjusted disappointment" list still don't surprise me. I mean, $170m+ for B&R doesn't sound like that bad on its own, but it was the follow-up to two films which adjust to $300m or so. Big disappointment.


Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:14 pm
Profile
Extraordinary

Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2005 1:53 pm
Posts: 11452
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
tina_als_girl wrote:
Just a quick, and probably very stupid, question...

Why don't people look at number of admissions over how much money made? I mean, sure, the business is all about making money, but shouldn't the number of tickets sold be important in showing which movies are doing the right things and therefore, the more tickets sold, the more money made? I dunno... Maybe I'm just curious to see number of tickets sold being compared amongst the big-name movies...

Joy


It's because a business where records are always being broken looks to be doing well, and people keep going to it in droves. On the other hand, the music industry made their benchmark album sales. Look how that turned out. If the music industry made "album/singles revenue" their main benchmark years ago, it would have been easier to make it seem that they were still doing well in the digital age. No business wants to seem as if they are losing steam. But breaking the opening weekend record every 18 months, that's great for business.


Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:14 pm
Profile WWW
Forum General
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2004 2:27 pm
Posts: 6145
Location: New York
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
It's kind of ironic, considering film is the one industry which is standing up well toward past comparisons on a flat scale (i.e., admissions today while generally lower for big films are still holding up much better than TV ratings and album sales).


Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:54 pm
Profile
KJ's Leading Pundit
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 4:45 pm
Posts: 63026
Location: Tonight... YOU!
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
No comment on the subject but...

Godzilla was amazing.

_________________
trixster wrote:
shut the fuck up zwackerm, you're out of your fucking element

trixster wrote:
chippy is correct

Rev wrote:
Fuck Trump


Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:56 pm
Profile
Forum General
User avatar

Joined: Sun May 13, 2007 8:30 am
Posts: 7041
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
Ticket sales should be counted. Studios are just too scared to do so.
And dividing by average price is a terrible way to find out ticket sales.
So many differences in price, child tickets, IMAX, midnight etc etc

_________________
Calls
Ghost Rider + Clash of the Titans = 2x Wrath of the Titans + Ghost Rider 2
Lorax over Despicable Me
Men in Black 3 Under 100m
Madagascar 3 Under 100m
Rise of the Guardians over 250m


Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:35 pm
Profile WWW
Extraordinary

Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2005 1:53 pm
Posts: 11452
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
You gotta give the studios credit though, they really pumped up ticket prices to increase revenue this decade compared to the last one and moviegoers keep paying for it.

Ticket prices:

1987
$3.91

1998
$4.69 +19.95% (11 years later)

2009
$7.42 (est) +58.20% (11 years later)

Ticket prices increases at 3 X the pace of a decade before.


Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:49 pm
Profile WWW
Forum General
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2004 2:27 pm
Posts: 6145
Location: New York
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
O wrote:
You gotta give the studios credit though, they really pumped up ticket prices to increase revenue this decade compared to the last one and moviegoers keep paying for it.

Ticket prices:

1987
$3.91

1998
$4.69 +19.95% (11 years later)

2009
$7.42 (est) +58.20% (11 years later)

Ticket prices increases at 3 X the pace of a decade before.


Eh, I think it varies. Ticket prices increased 28.9% in the six years between 1994-2000, but only increased 23.6% between 2002-2008.

We just haven't seen a decrease that we've been due for that was seen during the recession in the beginning of the 90's.


Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:21 pm
Profile
---------
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 10:42 pm
Posts: 11808
Location: Kansas City, Kansas
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
Ya, I've been thinking this a lot this year. It's starting to make box office not as fun as when the records are "broken," you know ticket sales-wise, it's not even close.

I know I would be 100% for studios only reporting ticket sales. It would change every way we do things around here.


Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:11 am
Profile
Forum General
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2004 2:27 pm
Posts: 6145
Location: New York
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
MG Casey wrote:
Ya, I've been thinking this a lot this year. It's starting to make box office not as fun as when the records are "broken," you know ticket sales-wise, it's not even close.

I know I would be 100% for studios only reporting ticket sales. It would change every way we do things around here.


I'm not sure about that, though. I mean, even based on ticket sales, all those records TDK broke still hold up and then some, for one example.


Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:15 am
Profile
---------
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 10:42 pm
Posts: 11808
Location: Kansas City, Kansas
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
Jiffy208 wrote:
I'm not sure about that, though. I mean, even based on ticket sales, all those records TDK broke still hold up and then some, for one example.

Oh definitely, it would make the records that hold even more amazing. I'm talking about more the general shift in the charts for the next 5-10 years to come. Specifically, the opening weekend charts, where only about 5 movies are from before 2000.


Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:18 am
Profile
Forum General
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2004 2:27 pm
Posts: 6145
Location: New York
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
MG Casey wrote:
Jiffy208 wrote:
I'm not sure about that, though. I mean, even based on ticket sales, all those records TDK broke still hold up and then some, for one example.

Oh definitely, it would make the records that hold even more amazing. I'm talking about more the general shift in the charts for the next 5-10 years to come. Specifically, the opening weekend charts, where only about 5 movies are from before 2000.


A lot of that is just natural frontloading, though. I can't think of the last film that broke the opening weekend record in gross but not in actual ticket sales.


Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:22 am
Profile
 

Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 4:48 am
Posts: 6245
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
Magnus wrote:
In 2004, it cost me $6 to see a matinee show, $6.50 to see a night show. Today, it costs me $9.50 (58.3% increase) to see a matinee show and $10.50 (61.5% increase) for a night show.

It's pretty insane. The only good thing is that I don't really have that much expenses outside of movies, so I don't mind it that much. But if tickets start costing $15+...I'm going to be downloading a lot more movies.


At my theater it's $4.50 for a regular matinee, $4.00 for a super matinee, $6.50 for an evening show, and we still get people that bitch and bitch about ticket prices. I really wish I could turn them over to NYC or LA theaters.
Anyway, I better just keeping working at a theater, cause there's no way I can cut the theater experience out of my life, but I really don't wanna pay $10+ for every movie I see (you're talking at least $500 a year, yikes!)

_________________
Mr. R wrote:
Malcolm wrote:
You seem to think threatening violence against people is perfectly okay because you feel offended by their words, so that's kind of telling in itself.

Exactly. If they don't know how to behave, and feel OK offending others, they get their ass kicked, so they'll think next time before opening their rotten mouths.


Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:12 am
Profile
Extraordinary

Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:13 pm
Posts: 15197
Location: Planet Xatar
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
Heh. Movies are still way cheaper than most other forms of outside entertaiment - - theatre, concerts, opera, dance, even museums charge like twenty bucks nowadays...


Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:21 am
Profile
100% That Bitch
User avatar

Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2008 3:42 pm
Posts: 16894
Location: Monterrey, Mexico
Post Re: Ticket price inflation is getting scary
Ticket prices in Mexico are

Matinee - $42(pesos) or $3.10 Dollars

Evening showing $50 (pesos) or $3.70 Dollars

last yearthe evening showing was $47 or 3.50 dollars

and Imax showings are $75 or $5.50.

_________________

Image
Tongue Pop!


I kneel with Magnus.


Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:29 am
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Reply to topic   [ 40 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 45 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group.
Designed by STSoftware for PTF.