Reserved seats to see a movie?
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
Eugene, Oregon
January 15, 2017 10:51am CST
We don't go to movie theaters more than two or three times a year. Tickets are spendy, even with senior discounts, and we like to watch films at home better anyway. I was surprised though, to see that one theater chain will have only reserve seating.
There are two multiplex movie venues in the area where we live. One, Cinemark, is converting all their 350 theaters in the US to reserved seating. This means that you have to reserve a seat online or go to the venue ahead of time to reserve. Prices have not changed, yet, but I am sure they will go up. There is an additional $1.50 fee to reserve online anyway.
If there is good news about this change, it is that they are installing "larger, more comfortable seats." My chairs and my couch at home are pretty comfortable. I don't have to smell that chemically enhanced popcorn either. I won't be reserving seats to see a film anytime soon.
Do you have reserved seating in movie theaters near you yet? I wonder if this is common in other countries?
13 people like this
14 responses
@sallypup (69176)
• Centralia, Washington
15 Jan 17
@JamesHxstatic Half a dozen theater groups to choose from?? Be still, my beating heart.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
16 Jan 17
@sallypup Yes, we do have quite a few. I did some plays years ago at one called the Very Little Theater.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
15 Jan 17
Plays are great, we see one or two a year and there are about a half dozen active theater groups in town.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
15 Jan 17
I have never reserved seats to a movie. The cost alone is enough to drain your pocket. We were going to see a 3D movie yesterday and when I realized it would cost $10 per person I told my husband no way!! He said we would wait for it to be available on our Dish network. I personally would rather wait for it to come out on DVD so I can rent it for even less money.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
15 Jan 17
@JamesHxstatic It is 7.50 for adult admission and 6.00 for the matinee. Another 2.50 for a 3D movie.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
16 Jan 17
@ElusiveButterfly Somewhat cheaper than here. That's good.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
15 Jan 17
Senior discount tickets here are $6.75, regular adult tickets are $9.75 (not 3D.)
2 people like this
@celticeagle (189874)
• Boise, Idaho
15 Jan 17
We have a lovely old Egyptian Theater hear where they used to show commercial movies. Now it is private stuff. Not sure about it. But back in the day you could buy your ticket a head of time and reserve your seat. They had a nice balcony and many people wanted to sit up there. I remember seeing Gone With The Wind in the balcony there with my boyfriend. Reserved seating. It was nice but I think people have gotten away from that now days. I wonder if this reserved seating you speak of will be very popular.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189874)
• Boise, Idaho
16 Jan 17
@JamesHxstatic ......Things have gotten rather weird in this country. Is this new reserved thing supposed to make us feel better about the higher prices?
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
16 Jan 17
@celticeagle Their aim is to draw people away from watching movies at home. There is nothing in the plan that appeals to me.
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@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
16 Jan 17
I'm not sure. They have 350 theaters across the country headed that way.
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@jillybean1222 (6406)
•
16 Jan 17
The theater by my house, which is AMC Theaters, has only reserved seating. And the seating is amazing. I've been to some other AMC's with good seating, but none as good as mine. Ours are not only recliners, but also very wide spacious recliners. but... more expensive too. The Cinemark by us is NOT reserved seating & it's cheaper. So I hope they don't change!
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
16 Jan 17
Ohh, I see that there is more than chain one headed down the reserved seat road. It will be interesting to hear if your Cinemark does too.
@RichardMeister (5328)
• Otis Orchards, Washington
16 Jan 17
We have several movie theaters in the Spokane area but I have not heard of any requiring reserve seating. With that said, I haven't been to a movie theater in years. I think matinees are still much cheaper than going at night. But I'd rather watch at home as well.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
16 Jan 17
I guess they will even have reservations for the matinees.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Jan 17
@RichardMeister Right, same here.
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@RichardMeister (5328)
• Otis Orchards, Washington
17 Jan 17
@JamesHxstatic That could be but the matinees I went to, if it wasn't a holiday, were pretty empty.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
15 Jan 17
I used to love seeing movies at the theater and went once a week. Now I just wait to see movies at home. So what if you have to wait awhile? I agree with you. No fat charge for comfy sofa, our own drinks and beverages and the only talking is our own. Oh, we can stop a movie if we have to use the facilities.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
15 Jan 17
True, @JohnRoberts and my wife mentioned that last one too,
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@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
15 Jan 17
@JamesHxstatic We know the ladies need facility breaks!
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
16 Jan 17
They might have these here, not really sure!
Like you, we don't go often. The price does not worth it to us.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
16 Jan 17
I agree, and there are too many previews. The sound is so loud at times it is painful too.
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
16 Jan 17
We've never reserved a theater seat. My husband loves going to the movies.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91115)
• United States
19 Jan 17
I haven't been to the movies in years and prefer to watch them from the comfort of my recliner. Can't believe that reserved seating is becoming popular.
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@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
19 Jan 17
Nor can I. They may have to abandon it unless the Millennials and their phone Apps adopt the practice.
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
15 Jan 17
I have no idea. Going to the cinema is so overpriced...I watch movies at home on my television. What I want to, when I want to. I can pause it to make my own popcorn or coffee when I'm so inclined...or to take a potty break.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
15 Jan 17
And they wonder why movie ticket sales are suffering.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
16 Jan 17
We went about once a week years ago, but the cost and overly loud speakers make it less attractive.
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
15 Jan 17
@JamesHxstatic my husband and I were never quick to go to the cinema, even when ticket prices were reasonable.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
15 Jan 17
It is apparently the coming attraction.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43602)
• Denver, Colorado
16 Jan 17
This is the first I've heard of it. Of course, the last movie I saw in the theater was the remake of True Grit. I really need to go more often, I guess.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
16 Jan 17
Maybe, but I don't care for the reserved seat plan.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
15 Jan 17
Yes, though we do watch twenty or more movies per year at home.
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