The UK has some of the world’s highest cinema tickets prices, but for the first time in 17 years, the prices are dropping.
Both the cinema and theatre industries have released figures showing a rise in popularity in 2018, confirming a slight fall in average cinema ticket prices from £7.49 to £7.22.
This could mean an increase in the number of cinema-goers, but this is not the case for the theatre. West End ticket prices are on the rise, with the cost going up by 30% since 2012. The average West End ticket cost £46.71 in 2017, but reached almost fifty pounds in 2018, disappointing the theatre lovers. For non-West End shows, the average ticket price is nearly thirty pounds.
However, last year, cinema attendance figures reached a 48-year high, with 177 million tickets sold. The reason for dropping ticket prices is partly down to the fact cinemas have to keep viewers away from their TV sets, competing with streaming devices like Netflix. Large cinema chains like Odeon and Vue also need to compete with the rise of boutique cinema chains such as Everyman and Curzon, which have expanded considerably over the past few years.
But still, the prices aren’t dropping everywhere, and big city multiplexes are still highly criticised for charging up to £12 a ticket. Despite the drop, people frequently debate online about how expensive it can get to enjoy a night out at the cinema in central London.
US cinema prices are ridiculously cheap compared to the UK. Still amazes me you can go for $8 in Midtown Manhattan on the morning of a film’s release. No chance of doing that in Leicester Square (or anywhere in central London).
— Jenny Priestley (@jennypriestley) December 17, 2018
It’s too expensive. An evening at the cinema for two is £50 if you include popcorn and drink, which by the way, is extortionately priced. Even without a drink and popcorn, which I don’t buy because of the disposable packaging as well as the price, cinema tickets seem too much.
— Amanda Jo 🎻 (@_pocketdynamo) January 22, 2019
Looking forward, it will be interesting to see if theatres in London take a hit from these rising prices – and if any theatre goers choose to switch their allegiance to their local cinema.