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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

A family cinema trip is a treat surely? not an every day occurrence?

204 replies

LittleBookofCalm · 01/09/2018 12:53

According to the news, end of the news, someone talking about being really badly off and saying they couldnt have a family trip to the cinema and how wrong it was that they couldnt afford this

I would argue that it is a Treat, spending that sort of money -

OP posts:
adaline · 01/09/2018 12:54

I don't think it should be considered a treat but the way prices are these days, it unfortunately has to be.

WeeM · 01/09/2018 12:55

Going to the cinema is just ridiculously expensive for what it is. We always try and go on meerkat days and take our own food in, and even then we only go about 3-4 times a year.

NationalShiteDay · 01/09/2018 12:55

Yes it's a treat but if they can't afford it as a treat then that is a bit shit. Your title suggests they think they should be able to afford to go everyday

TeenTimesTwo · 01/09/2018 12:55

Were they saying can't afford it every week?
Or can't afford it even as a treat?

Arrowfanatic · 01/09/2018 12:56

Cinema used to be the cheap thing to do, now it's expensive and as such is more of a treat.

If we go we'll usually do films for juniors as they're still very cheap. But for is all to go to a new film you're looking at upwards of £70 before we've bought snacks.

MilkItTilITurnItIntoCheese · 01/09/2018 12:58

We’re lucky enough to have a small independent cinema nearby. Tickets are £3.50 each so it does make the treat more affordable than the big names. Hence we go more often. There’s a reason it’s always packed out when the cineworld in the next town is half empty.

Maidsrus · 01/09/2018 13:00

There are often local cinemas that don’t have as much choice, but are much cheaper (can get £1 popcorn and £1 drinks at one near me). Fab if you have one near you but not everyone does

Montybabe · 01/09/2018 13:02

It is a treat for new films. We only go to the Saturday morning £2 a ticket films. They’re older films but i’d rather save the money for other things.

Flaskfan · 01/09/2018 13:22

Cinema's never been cheap. I barely went until I was earning my own money as a teen. The vue does £5 tickets for new films, which isn't bad for a treat for 4 people, but it can cost over £40 for four of us. Still cheaper than the theatre though, which is a massive shame.

Mummyoflittledragon · 01/09/2018 13:26

I imagine this isn’t the only thing they can’t afford tbh. There are a lot of people, who choose between being warm and eating unfortunately.

ForalltheSaints · 01/09/2018 13:27

I would not classify it as a treat in the way I would say a theatre visit, or a day out at a theme park.

movinonup · 01/09/2018 13:28

Since when was going to the cinema NOT a treat? Of course it is, Always has been.

SoyDora · 01/09/2018 13:29

I imagine they were saying they couldn’t even afford it as a treat?

MerryMarigold · 01/09/2018 13:30

We go to premiere. It's 14.00 for a family of 4, which is quite reasonable. All the newest releases. We go about 7x per year.

GooodMythicalMorning · 01/09/2018 13:31

Us too milkit. I think we're pretty lucky. Its our one vice so we go quite often but wouldnt be able to without the plaza being cheaper.

ohreallyohreallyoh · 01/09/2018 13:33

Lots of cinema offers through both wowcher and groupon reduce the cost somewhat. Hope that helps someone.

Santaclarita · 01/09/2018 13:33

It's a luxury, not a requirement or a need. It's a want. If you can't afford it, that sucks, but being able to eat is more important than going to see the latest film. We can't go some months, but such is life.

MuddlingMackem · 01/09/2018 13:33

movinonup Sat 01-Sep-18 13:28:20
Since when was going to the cinema NOT a treat? Of course it is, Always has been.

No, it hasn't always been, It would have been cheap back in the days of the newsreels. No doubt it became more expensive as fewer people went as often once they got television. And now they're competing with Sky, Netflix, Amazon Prime for customers' money so they need to get more from each person who goes.

toothtruth · 01/09/2018 13:35

it used to be a pretty cheap thing to do. I remember my nan telling me she and her sisters would get dressed up and go every Saturday to their local cinema. And my nan was working in a factory from the age of 14 so I dont think she was rolling in it!!

Cinema has gone like camping... used to be some cheap family fun you could reasonably expect to get to do.... its now ridiculously expensive and only available to people with a certain amount of disposable income.

tempester28 · 01/09/2018 13:35

It is a treat that every family deserve to have once in a while

glintandglide · 01/09/2018 13:35

Well... I think it’s a very sad situation if a family can’t ever afford to visit the cinema. What’s controversial about that? Hmm it’s not like they are attempting to go every day is it?

Glumglowworm · 01/09/2018 13:35

It is a treat, but it shouldn’t be such an extravagant one that it’s out of reach of families.

AjasLipstick · 01/09/2018 13:38

What on earth are you going on about OP? Is being badly off and having treats something which should never be considered together???

People should have treats....survival is just that. Having enough to eat is basic....a decent quality of life includes a trip to a cafe or a day out now and then!

onetimeposter · 01/09/2018 13:40

Don't let them poor people do anything nice.
Make em grateful for a black n white telly and aerial.

SerenDippitty · 01/09/2018 13:41

Back in 80s, my friends and I would often go to see a film, followed by pizza and finish off in a club. It was affordable then.