| Here you see a movie ticket and kernel popcorn, as scaled to their price increase over the past 80 years. On your left, 1929. On your right, 2009. |
| In 1929, The Great Depression popularized popcorn as a movie time treat since it was cheap, easy, tasty and somewhat filling. Back then, a bag cost you 5 cents. Now, a (small) bag costs you $4.75. Sure, our new bag is probably a bit bigger, but it’s vastly more expensive. |
| adjusted for inflation, popcorn prices* have seen an ironic 666% price increase, while movie ticket prices have increased a more moderate 66%. The above picture tells the story to scale, but just in case you’re a bigger fan of numbers: |
1929
Movie – $4.32 ($0.35 pre-inflation)
Popcorn – $0.62 ($0.05 pre-inflation) |
2009
Movie – $7.20
Popcorn – $4.75 |
| Hollywood takes a majority of ticket proceeds (we’re talking upwards of 70%) during the first few weeks a film is released. |
| So theaters fall back to popcorn, soda and candy to make money |
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