To think the cinema is a day to day event

I’ve had an Unlimited card for ten years. In that time I’ve gone between twice a week and once every three months.

Held on through Covid, having a baby and getting divorced.

On Friday I had a child free evening, went to see Planet of the Apes, it was utter shit so I left after the popcorn ended and didn’t regret it. Might have done if I felt like I’d “paid” for it.

(Unlimited pays for itself if you go twice a month, and you get 20% off snacks which makes it more viable too. I NEED quiet solo time in the dark with my phone off every now and then).

That’s it… I think there’s a chasm between those who love films and go regularly, don’t bother with the snacks etc because the focus is on the film, and those (like me) who have very little spare time/childcare so don’t bother with the cinema all that often, and when we do go it’s usually with all the kids in tow and it’s a treat/experience rather than a day to day thing. Of course I know other types of cinema goers exist!
I haven’t had a babysitter for 10 years so DH and I can’t go to the cinema together. I wouldn’t go to the cinema on my own because I have very, very little time to myself and the cinema isn’t where I’d choose to spend it. So cinema trips tend to be something the kids want to see, and is a ‘treat’ afternoon out with popcorn and slushies etc. Usually about twice a year.

My grandkids find it quite a treat.It can be an expensive excursion,so not everyday.

We have a zoo pass so we do go to the zoo a lot!!

We don’t go to the cinema as we would need to get a babysitter or take time off work, and I can think of better things to do if I’m doing either of those!!

This, and you can take your own drink and snacks in. You don't have to spend 15 quid on popcorn etc.

If anyone has Amazon Prime and their local is Odeon, this is good for weekdays

https://www.odeon.co.uk/amazon/

Maybe it was in the 1930s. Have you seen the prices recently?

I'm finding the price differences insane. On the back of this thread, I decided to see what kids films are out to go see at the weekend. I've just booked two recliner + seats (one adult, one child) on Saturday for £13.40. With snacks from the supermarket, it will be about £17 total for both of us.

It's crazy that some places seem to be charging that for a ticket alone.

Our local cinema tickets start at £4.99 (vip and further back go up to 7.99). So for us it’s more day to day. Especially if it’s a Tuesday or Wednesday as all four of us can go for £10 with meerkat movies. Snacks are so expensive still.

Me either. We are both high earners but we can’t afford to take our children to places like the zoo every weekend.

Middle class families? No one I know with children could afford it.

I see it as a day to day cost (£5 for the ticket, I'll take my own drink and food as the queues for the concessions are longer than my patience) but a special occasion when I'm able to actually get to the cinema as most of our spare time is spent ferrying children around.

I'll happily go on my own.

I think of it as more of a punishment when I have to take someone to see a film as part of my job. Too loud, minging people eating crap and bright phone screens distracting from the film. Literally have to stick tissue in my ears and still find it too loud.

This calls for my very first ‘are you on glue?’ comment. 😂

We choose to go roughly once a year so it's usually quite an experience for us!

We just save it for those films we would particularly like to see on the big screen.

I think treats are more common now in general. When I was little a trip to the zoo was once or twice a year max. Families seem to do this kind of activity every weekend now

Oh gosh YADBU. You need a reality check your financial privilege.

What's "worth" seeing is completely subjective. I like horror films and I'll watch any because I'm interested in what different directors are doing. I don't care if it's reviewed well or not - it's a hobby.

So just looked at our only cinema website
£13.50 an adult x 3 = £41.50
£8.50 a child x2 =£17
Parking £5

So even without snacks it's £63.50

The last time I set foot in a cinema was c.1998 so not a day to day thing in this house. I have nothing against films, I just hate cinemas - the whole experience. From what I've heard, I would like them even less now.

Treat here. 5 of us, parking in the city. Snacks ( from supermarket) is easily over £60/70 all totted up

It depends where you live, everyday experience for me as I can think of about 8 cinemas within a few miles of home and I can do afternoon or evening showings with ease, , but I imagine that if you live in the country then arranging a cinema trip takes a bit more organisation and effort so it would turn into an event, with a meal and a drink somewhere if the cinema doesn’t have a bar.

Yes, I read Poor Things reviews because I had a ticket for a screening of it at the London Film Festival which clashed with something else I wanted to see and couldn't decide between the two. I did not read the reviews before I bought the ticket.

Anything else, Poirot?

This. And if you have Meercat rewards it is 2 for the same price on Tues and Weds. Cheaper than heating at home.

About 12yrs ago, my son and I used to go to the cinema every week. Right now, I'm thinking back to the last time I went and realised it was December 2019, so it's definitely a rarity for me these days.