$1.00 movie theaters

[tnsherrie]

Would like some opinions on this one.

We only have 2 movie theaters total in my town. One 10 picture and one 2 picture theater. They are both owned by the same people. I have been noticing the last 4 months that as soon as a title leaves the big 10 theater that they immediately start showing it at their $1 theater for a couple of weeks(right up until street date) trying to make double the bucks I guess. I think their even using the same reels from the big theater. My frustration is that they are showing the biggest titles coming out each week in the $1 theater or not even out on dvd yet. They have had "Night at the Museum" and "happy Feet" playing for the last 2 weeks for a buck and now they have "happy Feet and "Charlottes Web" playing. How can the studios expect us to make any rentals on their product if they allow these big titles to be shown for $1 everyday weeks before we get them. Just seems a bit unfair to me to the rental stores. Would it do any good to report this or just a waste of time. Im surprised our local BB hasnt said anything about it as Im sure it is hurting their rentals also on the bigger titles being shown.

[nerothehero]

I'm not sure what you would report.  It is their right to show the movies for that price after it has made it's 1st run.  I get more pissed at hotels than can show the movie while they are still playing.

[wannabevideostoreowner]

This has gone on since the beginning of time. No new news here.

When I was a preteen (10+ years ago), I had a friend whose mother would take them to the theatre nearly everyday. It was usually the dollar theatre - only once a week or so would they choose a higher priced show - and they never bought the theatre popcorn, candy, etc. And the theatres usually played movies that were not out on videotape yet. They seemed to start the movies about a month or two before they hit the rental market. When we were strong friends, I started going with them just about everyday. This might've lasted for about a year. They were excessive with it to me, but I did see a lot of shows.

I personally would rather watch a movie at home, so when we stopped being friends, I continued renting VCR tapes or watching PPV or HBO, etc. I guess it's just personal preference. The last movie I've seen in theatres was "Constantine"...

Just like Redbox now, there have always been $1 movie options. The theatre, and video rentals at supermarkets or a $1 movie night at independant stores. But higher priced rentals have always worked too. It's just a piece of the pie. I doubt the people that frequent these theatres even consider the DVD rental competition. Hopefully you have regulars that don't consider the $1 theatre competition either.

[tnsherrie]

Yea, Im sure it has been going on since the age of time but I thought they always left some time between showing a movie and the release on dvd. I guess I have really never thought much about it because we have only had our $1 theater for about a year. I can also remember it going from big theater to smaller one but with a month or two prior time frame before streeting to rental stores. Our theater in question is notorious for showing titles right up until and on its dvd release date. Not upset about the $1 theater, just that they leave no gap before release.

Unfortunately, I do have alot of customers that also frequent this $1 theater often. I have learned this because when they see the coming next week signs-many of them say there showing that now at the $1 theater and we'll just go there and see that one".

Just get a little frustrating that show titles on same day as street. Guess its just one more thing to compete with in the rental market.

[Retrofit]

My understanding is there are actually three tiers for showing movies.  But what they are doing is legal.  All the dollar theaters are showing movies 'late' and because they are typically chain owned, they just move them (the reels) from the first run or second run to the third run (discount) theater.

I'm a huge theater person and I often watch the matinees or dollar run.  It didn't slow down my renting when I was at the peak of my movie watching

I know a lot of people have dollar rentals as a common thing, but I only have it once a week for one day.  It's my most successful day (only through volume).  It works because people want a cheap movie.  I couldn't live on dollar day, but it draws the people in.  I also don't budge/negotiate dollar day late fees.  I say, "you got it for a buck!  I can't lower the late fee!"

Something to consider.