Segundo A. Pinedo CPM, PMP’s Post

Popcorn used to be banned in movie theaters. (Note from Dr. Lord: One of my favorite treats) Few things go together like movies and popcorn, but that wasn’t always the case. In fact, popcorn used to be banned in movie theaters. As the nickelodeons of the early 20th century were replaced by comparatively luxe venues that wanted to emulate the sophisticated vibe of traditional theaters in the 1920s and ’30s, cinema owners decided to ban the now-ubiquitous snack — it was loud, messy, and didn’t exactly evoke seeing Madama Butterfly at the Met. “Movie theaters wanted nothing to do with popcorn,” according to Popped Culture: A Social History of Popcorn author Andrew Smith, “because they were trying to duplicate what was done in real theaters. They had beautiful carpets and rugs and didn’t want popcorn being ground into it.” That’s a reasonable objection, but it was eventually trumped by how much money those same owners stood to make during the Great Depression. Movies were a much-needed (and inexpensive) escape during that historic downturn, and selling popcorn in-house for 5 to 10 cents a bag helped keep countless theaters afloat at a time when many popcorn-less venues were going under. By 1945, more than half the popcorn consumed in the U.S. was sold in movie theaters, and in the nearly 80 years since, that association has only grown stronger. Credit: HistoryFacts.com

Movie theaters big and small need to invest in picture and sound. Especially, when it comes to branded theaters that are designated as “premium experiences.” Went to a local theater tonight while visiting family and I’m shocked at the poor quality of the PLF screen. (I will not name the chain.) The theater had lighting underneath the screen that illuminated the bottom corners of the picture and made those areas difficult to view. Additionally, the whole screen had a hazy/cloudy sheen to it. So much so that someone I was sitting with asked if the film was meant to look like that. (Having seen the film before, I know it was not.) I know that the theatrical industry has been hit hard by the pandemic and then the dual Hollywood strikes. I know that product has been limited and only recently coming out at a pre-pandemic pace. However, theaters need to have systems in place so that moviegoers can have a true theatrical experience. It’s hard enough to convince people to leave their couches to come out to see movies, it’s even harder when the experience is lackluster and reinforces why they usually stay home. 2025 and 2026 have major blockbuster films on the slate that demand a big screen experience. If the industry has a hope of getting back to $10 billion in domestic ticket sales, then a trip to the movies needs to be better than a trip to the couch.

My latest story looks at a property sector that's niche but has a lot of nostalgia: movie theaters. Cinemas have been through the wringer in recent years between the pandemic, labor strikes and rise of streaming services. But many are still holding on, in part because their uniquely designed real estate makes them difficult to replace. Those big, windowless rooms with stadium seating are great for watching Dune: Part Two, but not so easy for the landlord to turn into a Panera Bread or Ulta Beauty. So, in many cases, the landlord agrees to cut the rent and the movie theater survives. Do you still go to the movies? What's the first and last movies you saw in theaters? (Mine: 101 Dalmatians in 1991 and Barbie last summer.) The Wall Street Journal https://lnkd.in/e6-QkXAm

I keep reading the phrase "in selected theaters," and I really find it quite amusing. It's often a euphemism for a very limited release, but it’s framed to sound prestigious. Despite this, such minimal, ineffective theatrical releases often result in significant costs for investors, who are enticed by distributors with the "we are going theatrical" dream. At the same time, distributors inflate these limited releases with costs that are then cross-collateralized with digital distribution revenues, ultimately channeling most of the earnings to the distribution side. Is it really necessary to go to theaters with these limited releases?

Box office performance matters to real estate pros. A pair of movie experts shared what they expect from movies this year and movie theaters long term. Check out our Q&A. https://bit.ly/4ckdTSw #ICSC #Marketplaces #Retail #RealEstate

Today I learned a new lesson on surge pricing… in movie theatres. 😊   Taking the kids to see the new Deadpool & Wolverine movie at the local Kinepolis, I was surprised to see tickets 3,5 Euro above the “regular” price. And no, it’s not imax, or special sound features or 3D. There’s another movie playing in the same theatre room at the “normal” price.   So I turned to the internet and ChatGPT, and apparently, in “recent times”, surge pricing has become increasingly common in movie theatres. If you’re not familiar with surge pricing, it’s a dynamic pricing model that – in the case of a movie theatre - adjusts ticket prices based on factors such as time of day, day of the week, and movie popularity. I guess it maximizes revenues for theatres, but I wonder now about the accessibility and affordability for moviegoers. And it has been happening across the globe (see https://lnkd.in/gmjFBxxC and https://lnkd.in/gwpN6i4G) 💬 So... What are your thoughts on surge pricing in cinemas? Is this only a natural result of movies becoming more expensive or adapting the tactic to other field other than Uber rides? Will this influence your moviegoing? Share your experiences and opinions below!     #MovieTheatre #SurgePricing #Entertainment #DynamicPricing #CinemaTrends  

Will Movie Theaters Make It? The film industry has experienced highs and lows recently. Despite a slow start to the summer, Inside Out 2's success has brought optimism. ICSC C+CT contributing editor Joel Groover spoke with Comscore, Inc. experts Janice O’Bryan and Paul Dergarabedian about the state of the industry. Key Insights: Theaters are recovering post-COVID but face competition from streaming. 2023 saw a significant rebound with a $9 billion domestic box office. Highly anticipated titles like Despicable Me 4 and Deadpool & Wolverine are expected to drive traffic this summer. As Paul Dergarabedian says, "The movie theater is not going to go the way of the pay telephone. It’s a great business." Read the full article for more insights into the future of movie theaters. #MovieTheaters #BoxOffice #FilmIndustry #ICSC #CRE

😲💥🌪 As promised-- Your Placer.ai movie theatre performance update since the release of #InsideOut2, #Deadpool, and #Twisters -- Which theatre chain saw a +249.7% boost in traffic last week? What did visits look like on release day for Deadpool & Wolverine vs. Twisters across various states in the US? Did Oklahoma residents come out for Twisters? With Placer's near real-time data, you have the power to analyze consumer visit trends just days after a time frame of interest. What chains or locations are you interested in learning more about? Don't hesitate to reach out and book a demo; let's take a look! 🙌 https://lnkd.in/efU39NWk

Looking to upgrade your home theater setup? 🎬 Dive into our latest article where we break down the Best Home Theaters of 2024. Whether you're a cinephile or just love a good movie night, these top picks will take your entertainment to the next level. 🚀 Check it out - https://lnkd.in/grjaFNiu #HomeTheater #Tech2024 #Entertainment #Innovation #HomeImprovement #Savings24x7