Is it ok to bring your own food and/or drinks into the movies?

[bestclimb]

I have a disagreement going with my coworker. He says no I say yes.

He says

would you bring your own eggs to a restaurant? Or your own oil to the mechanic as they get a markup on those items.

Part of their bottom line comes from selling concessions.

it is their property and they can dictate what you bring into the building.

I say

the food they offer is unhealthy, if I want to munch on some carrots or some almonds. I like water and tea, they don't offer it.

The food is over priced. If they need more money to stay profitable charge a bit more for the tickets.

I ain't paying 2 bucks a pint for water when it comes from my well for pinnies a gallon.

It is my body I get to dictate what goes into it and when.

[t vago]

If they tell you it's not okay, then it's not okay. It's their property, and you are paying for a service that they are providing. If they choose to provide this service in such a way as to compel you to buy their overpriced, unhealthy junk food if you choose to eat while enjoying their service, then it's their rules. You do not have to eat while enjoying their service.

That being said, I'm a big fan of winter jackets. It's amazing how much food you can hide in the pockets while not appearing to be hoarding anything.

[NachtRitter]

I have no qualms about bringing food into a theater. Unlike going to a restaurant where the primary goal is to purchase and consume their food, the primary goal at the theater is to purchase the rights to watch a movie. Theater food is a convenience for those fools that forgot to bring their own food.

Many restaurants do allow you to bring your own wine, though they will charge you a "corking fee". Just about any good auto shop will allow you to bring your own oil. A good tire store will also allow you to bring your own tires to have them mounted. So it's not unprecedented.

However, you probably couldn't bring your own movie to a theater...

[LUVMY02CREW]

Your co-worker has it partially right imo.... it is their building and they can dictate by their posted rules and regs what you can or can not bring into the bldg. I was gonna vote no, but the medical reason answer sounded best to me. Someone with diabetes, or a similar medical condition, might need a certain kind of snack during their time at the movie.

[cfg83]

bestclimb -

I voted yes. In practice, it's really only the candy that I smuggle in. My Dad has diabetes, so he needs to bring a glucose tablet with him everywhere he goes, but that's medical stuff, so I would claim that doesn't count.

I usually get the soda and the popcorn. The high priced goodies is what keeps them going :

Why Popcorn Costs So Much: Research News: Stanford GSB

The findings empirically answer the age-old question of whether it’s better to charge more for a primary product (in this case, the movie ticket) or a secondary product (the popcorn). Putting the premium on the “frill” items, it turns out, indeed opens up the possibility for price-sensitive people to see films. That means more customers coming to theaters in general, and a nice profit from those who are willing to fork it over for the Gummy Bears.
Indeed, movie exhibition houses rely on concession sales to keep their businesses viable. Although concessions account for only about 20 percent of gross revenues, they represent some 40 percent of theaters’ profits. That’s because while ticket revenues must be shared with movie distributors, 100 percent of concessions go straight into an exhibitor’s coffers.

I also bring the oil filter in when I get an oil change.

CarloSW2

[cfguy2000]

Its a policy, not a law. They can kick you out of the theater, but they can't get you arrested or fined for it. Just be good about hiding your snax.

[jamesqf]

Movies? Is that like some sort of historical reenactment thing?

[jago25_98]

I used to allow my mechanic to put some markup on parts as he sees fit. He doesn't know that I know the trade specialist so I can look up the prices.

However, the last wing mirror was £100!

I'm going to order my own parts now!

It may piss them off but I really think it counts in knowing a bit more what you are getting - to hold what you own in your hand before it goes in, to know the quality of it.

Draw the line at oil? Depends on how much I trust them. If it's a new place I'd rather pour it in myself!

As for the pictures,
I go next door, get a McDonalds cheese burger and sneak it in. This is as wrong as they are tit for tat. mmm, so wrong yet so right

[Ryland]

Would you bring your own coffee in to an internet cafe or coffee shop?
Showing movies on a big screen is not a good way to make money, so I agree that you shouldn't bring your own box of gummy bears in or bag of pop corn but if you want water and veggies then go for it because they don't offer those things but the junk candy is part of the experience that they are providing, just like you would not go to a tire shop that offers free mounting and balancing of tires with your own tires and as them to do it for free.
The movie theater is paying for the building, the heat, electricity and a royalty for each person that buys a ticket on top of the cost that they have just to run the projector and acquire the movie, most movies aren't even rolls of film any more they are hard drives and digital projectors, all of that has a cost to keep up to date.
So I don't go to see movies that often, I have my own micro projector that I use at home and make my own pop corn the way I like it, with garlic and real butter, but I do that at my own cost and it would most likely be cheaper to go to the theater.

[RobertSmalls]

It's their right to set the prices and policies as they like, though I think it's distasteful for them create an anticompetitive environment when it comes to concessions. It's a lot like a hidden fee, and I'll resist paying if I can. It may be impolite, but I don't feel that it's morally wrong to sneak candy in.

A seperate question is, how are they still in business when it costs $28 to treat two people to a movie + popcorn? For my money, they can't compete with Redbox and Netflix + Orville Reddenbacher (about $5 for 1-4 people).

There was an article on NPR that reports that the big screen is the new boob tube, supplying trashy, predictable flicks to teenagers and young adults (who may not have their own living rooms), while mentally stimulating shows can be found on cable and even broadcast television.