Cinema/Theatre experience in the US compared to the rest of the world.

[Ihateregistering1]

I'm at the point now where I pretty much only go to Alamo Drafthouse. In addition to it just being a really awesome business, they are extremely strict about no texting, no talking, no babies, hell they won't even seat you if you show up late to the movie. Plus there's beer and food and it's all reasonably priced.

That being said, the vast majority of my theater going experiences at places besides the Drafthouse have been fine, but it really sucks when it gets ruined by a handful of people in the theater, and that's really all it takes. I've lived all over the US, and basically you learn really quickly which theaters to go to and which ones to avoid like the plague.

Got to say there is no theater chain that comes anywhere close to Alamo Drafthouse. I wish they had them in my town, but it elevates the experience substantially. Imagine a movie theater run by serious movie fans. Everything about it is centered around the enjoyment of the customers. Fun shorts before the film. No stupid commercials. Few previews. They kick out texters. I love, love, love the Alamo.

I know, and their "quote-a-longs" are a blast too. I got so lucky, I lived in a town prior to this one where basically all my theater experiences were awful (demographics, I'll leave it at that), so it was a breath of fresh air to go the drafthouse go somewhere where the food and drink is reasonably priced (and good!) and they actually take movie watching seriously.

 

[Leg End]

Murica here.

Most times have been good, can't actually think of a time where a theater has been bad actually, even a dollar theater near me where you'd expect everything to be utter shit. Food is overpriced but the solution is sneaking in an assload of food in various ways, and my favorite place doesn't even care if you bring in the food right in front of them, so you can just buy cheap candy from a dollar store nearby and bring in what would be 30 bucks of stuff, for 5.

Best experience was watching DBZ: Resurrection "F" with almost nothing but twenty somethings and half of the joy was audience reactions and everyone laughing having loud enjoyment orgasms and everyone actually talking out loud during the pre-movie quiz show and we're all remembering everything and people pulling out phones to tweet to Funi's twitter their answers. And then a mother with two kids walks out during the first ten minutes and never came back.

I really don't get the hate for US theaters.

 

[Dark Knifer]

Another Australian.
I believe things are rather high priced for what it is.
No idea if US members have the same price, but...

20-ish bucks a normal tickets.
26-ish for the more better V-max/better experience.
28-30 for the gimmicky 3D. (Which I avoid)
50 for Gold Class. More for the alcohol, and the more deluxe food/experience it provides.

Jesus Christ, where in Aus ifyou don't mind me asking. I'm in newcastle I get $7 for normal adult ticket and like $20 for gold class imax.

I have been to other places like Wagga Wagga which are more like those prices though.

 

[StormShaun]

Jesus Christ, where in Aus ifyou don't mind me asking. I'm in newcastle I get $7 for normal adult ticket and like $20 for gold class imax.

I have been to other places like Wagga Wagga which are more like those prices though.

Really?!
Well crap, now I really feel fucked over.

It's in WA, in the Innaloo cinema.
Well, more like a complex, because it also houses a Sizzlers, Timezone, and other restaurants. Maybe that is why the price is hiked up, or... well I don't know.

That makes me annoyed.

EDIT: Ah, so it IS overpriced, from what the reviews says.
Man, either I need to go to a different location, or I have to go to Hoyts. Either way, I don't like this.

 

[CrimsonBlaze]

As a movie lover from the USA, I can confirm that is it indeed on a case by case basis.

There are some theaters where they do not provide good customer service, their theater operates in a run-down building, the fellow patrons are rude jerks, and no amount of deals or specials will get you back into that unpleasant cinematic cesspool.

On the other hand, there are some nice and reasonably priced venues that offer a great atmosphere, excellent service, roomy and comfy seating, and are an absolute delight to attend.

There's a theater like this only a few minutes away from my home and despite being in the middle of a robust shopping center, the theater itself is quite solitary, which makes it great for enjoying flicks at anytime of the day.

 

[Joccaren]

Another Aussie.

Yeah, a bit overpriced, normally nothing to complain about though. Depends on which cinema you go to and which cinema within that cinema too =P
Hoyts is generally more budget oriented [Though there are some even more budget cinemas that I don't even know if they exist beyond one or two shopping centres]. Fairly competent cinemas still. Wouldn't say they're anything special, but they do the bog-standard cinema experience pretty well; standard seats, standard layout, standard screen, but its usually well maintained at least. Haven't had any experience with their upper class cinemas to be able to review them, but I get the overall feeling that they're probably a bit less fancy, but again well maintained, compared to Village.
Village is often a little more expensive, and it really depends as to what you're going to see if you want to go there. Standard village cinemas are alright, but I've found a number that aren't maintained that well. Go VMAX though and its a lot better, and its got better seating, layout, screen size - ect. Its probably what I'd call a good cinema experience, that would actually be worth paying for. Gold Class at Village is pretty expensive, especially if you want food. Food is good though, and the cinema isn't bad. I wouldn't really say its worth it unless you're buying the food though, which makes the up priced up front tickets even more annoyingly expensive.

Cinema goers usually aren't that bad. Messy. Kids are annoying. Depending on the movie it can turn into a TV sitcom laugh track. Normally though its not too bad, no-one likes bad movie goers, and there are enforced rules about things like having your phone turned off that help keep things under control.

Prices are too much IMO. Could get a great lunch at some local restaurants for cheaper. They're not offensively high though. That award goes to the food and drinks. The rule is no bringing outside food and drinks in, so they can try and push the stupidly high priced food there on you. No-one obeys it, and no-one is stupid enough to try and enforce it. Can't go past the banana choc-tops though. Expensive, but nice cold banana icecream is exactly what you want when watching a movie. Can't go past them.

 

[Adamantium93]

US here. I always hear people from abroad talk about how US theatres are full of people talking or on their phones but I've personally seen that only a couple times, and I've never seen it so bad that it ruined the movie for me. Granted, I don't live near any big cities but even so I've been in crowded screenings and they've typically been pleasant experiences.

There's also a theatre near me that sells meals and drinks for the movie, which is always nice.

People tend to remember bad experiences much more than good ones. How often do you hear "I went to the movie theatre and nothing unusual happened"? Probably not much because its not a notable experience. Similarly, people are much more likely to remember and talk about that one time when the guy with the annoying accent just would not shut up.

 

[Hairless Mammoth]

There's also the damned candy wrappers sold at the concession stand designed to make as much noise as possible, and people aren't deterred by the 3x mark up they are being charge to taste processed sugar.

Concession candy only triple the cost of elsewhere? What state did you work in? Here it New Jersey its usually 4-8 times the cost.

It was Illinois, and far from Chicago and the suburbs. Actually, the new company started to gradually jack up prices after they took over. Since I've been gone, the candy might be somewhere between 4-8x now. We're not far behind NJ.