AMC will start charging more for better movie theater seats
BOSTON – You can say so long to the days of scanning the rows for the best seat at the movie theater. By the end of this year, you'll have to pay for that sought-after spot.
AMC, America's largest movie chain, announced ticket prices will soon be based on location.
"Would I pay more? If I had to and it was a fabulous movie. But why pay more for my seat? All the seats are made of the same stuff," moviegoer Pat Barry told WBZ-TV.
"Probably not. Not in the size of the movie theater. It's small. No matter where you sit - unless you're in that front row looking up like this," added Jeanne Flaherty.
This pricing model, called Sightline, is divided into three tiers. Those "preferred" center seats in the middle of the theater will cost slightly more compared to "standard" seats, on the side or in the back - sold for the traditional price of a ticket.
Bargain hunters can save by selecting discounted value tickets in the front row.
"Realistically not that many people come to the movies - if you look at the parking lot. Now you're going to increase the rates? We're not going to come," Andrew Brown said.
"Nobody likes when prices about anything go up, but they have the least to complain about when it comes to the movies. That's what I think!" arts and entertainment critic and longtime WBZ-TV anchor Joyce Kulhawik said.
Kulhawik says a trip to the movies is still the best deal for your entertainment dollar. Post-pandemic and competing with streaming services, something's gotta give.
"You can see the best movie in the world sometimes for $5 a ticket during a bargain matinee during the week. You can't see the best of anything else in the world for a price like that. You can't get the best meal, the best clothing, the best concert ticket. I don't want to see movie theaters go out of business so I think it's a small price to pay," Kulhawik added.
Live theater and concerts of course use similar tier pricing, and movie theaters outside the U.S. use these models. AMC said Sightline will only be charged on showings after 4 pm.
