Discuss: Do You Bring Your Own Snacks to the Movies?

by Kim Voynar Feb 19th 2008 // 2:02PM

There's an interesting article over at This is London about a man who's protesting high prices at theater concession stands by handing out free snacks and a flier comparing cinema prices for snacks to store prices. Adam Glennon, a postman, was told he had to leave the theater for bringing his own snacks in.

Glennon says his snack stash was discovered when a security guard demanded to know what was in the plastic bag he was carrying into a screening of Cloverfield. The guard says that they routinely search bags for recording equipment, but if they happen to discover a stash of snacks in the process, they enforce the cinema's policy of "no outside food or drinks," and make movie-goers throw out their contraband munchies or leave the theater (they do give patrons who refuse a refund for their ticket price).

Outraged at this, Glennon decided to launch a one-man protest against the high prices concession stands charge to moviegoers. I noticed recently that a chain drugstore near a movie theater I was heading to was adverstising on their outside sign their lower prices for movie candy, and I wondered when I saw that what the theater chain thinks about that.

I realize that movies make a lot of their money back on the exorbitant prices they charge for greasy popcorn and overpriced candy, but it also seems like they could offer their higher-priced snacks to those who want the convenience of having them there, while not being quite so militant about their rules on outside food. Four bucks for a bottle of water or a smallish bag of popcorn is a bit much. The other issue for me is, all the snacks in the movie theater are unhealthy options, loaded with carbs, fat and sugar. I can't get a protein bar or carrot sticks to munch on during a screening, much less a decent coffee.

What do you think? Do you sneak in your own snackage when you go to the cinema? Or do you respect the rights of the movie chains to charge you more for snacks than you'd pay buying them at the drugstore on your way there?

[via Movie City News ]

71 Comments

Tags: cinema, movies, outside food and drink, popcorn, snacks, theater policies

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

2-19-2008 @ 12:59PM

Monika said...

I used to frequent a theater that would be full at least a half hour before the movie would screen. So, I'd get there an hour early and bring dinner -- Wendy's. :)

2-19-2008 @ 2:29PM

KMF said...

I'll bring extra candy or trail mix when I feel like it. Usually I'm there for a terrible, for me, big ol' bucket of deliciously greasy heart attack popcorn, that is a once every so often naughty treat. I do split the bucket with my sister or friends, and we have drinks. It costs us about 12 bucks for two, but we don't go often, and we ride bicycles across town just to get there and back. I don't actually buy candy at the theatre and I don't know why I've never had an interest to.

Now my best sneaking food into the theatre story was when I was in my teens and I'd sneaked a can of pop into a dollar show. I waited until the lights went out, went to grab it only to have it slip out of my hand and very audibly rolled away under the seats.

2-19-2008 @ 2:35PM

daniel. said...

peanut butter m n m's in jacket pocket. every. single. time.

2-19-2008 @ 2:50PM

Stacy said...

I do. I have a Down's Syndrome sister and our sisterly bonding choice is to go to the movies together. I used to buy popcorn for her, but somewhere along the line she stopped eating it and I was spending a small fortune to buy sodas and popcorn that were too much for the two of us to consume. I mean when did a "small" soda actually turn into a large? So I bring a messenger bag/purse and sneak in two cans of soda and a trail mix snack for her and something yummy but low calorie for me since I'm on Weight Watchers and doing well. I hate to derail that by eating the junk they have at the theater. I spend a lot less not only buying bringing in my own snacks and beverages but also because what we bring will not go to waste since it's just enough.

2-19-2008 @ 2:50PM

MCW said...

Sometimes I do, mostly, I'd just sneak a bottled drink in. I don't appreciate the outrageous drink prices. But sometimes, I'll pay for some fresh hot nachos and cheese. I can't resist. Most of the time, I'm just there to see the darn movie.

2-19-2008 @ 2:59PM

Vanessa said...

I used to never buy theater snacks, mostly because I was in school and broke, but now I almost always buy something. I had a friend who's grandfather owned a local theater and he said that the theater only made money on the consessions and not on the tickets. Seems a little weird to me, but hey, I was only 16. Now I only buy a drink and popcorn, never candy...not sure why either....

2-19-2008 @ 3:15PM

Philpott said...

When I lived in Manhattan in 1999, they would not stop you from bringing in outside food or drink. We would routinely pick up Wendy's before heading into the theater. Charlotte, Nc is a little different though. If I sneak in food it is candy in my pocket. There is no security though.

2-19-2008 @ 3:17PM

Anna07 said...

I always sneak in a bottle of water and sometimes candy. When I get thirsty soda normally makes it worse, so I bring water because they charge $4 for a large water. Outrageous!!

2-19-2008 @ 3:29PM

Jonesy said...

I always make a point of buying concessions if I go to the one nice theatre in my area.

I never buy concessions if I end up at one of the lousy ones. I often sneak them in.

www.OnTheBigScreen.net

2-19-2008 @ 3:40PM

dana said...

I always bring a can of soda, and usually some kind of snack, either candy or fruit, usually. On occasion, I bring in a sandwich or something -- one time, i brought falafel and pita :)

2-19-2008 @ 3:41PM

steph said...

I always bring something (and always sit front row centre) be it pringles, chocolate, a bottle of Yop, or even a bottle of wine... never had a problem.

2-19-2008 @ 3:46PM

Erin said...

I work at a movie theater and when I tear tickets and see someone obviously sneaking food into the theater, I'm supposed to tell them not to. I don't like doing it because I always used to sneak food in. But the movie theater does make it's money from concessions...

2-19-2008 @ 3:49PM

victor said...

Here in Houston, I never have any problems bringing food in, and I don't even have to hide it. So many of the theaters now are right next to mall food courts that it's almost assumed that you're going to be bringing outside food in.

2-19-2008 @ 3:51PM

DAVID F said...

I have sncuk food in the theatre before but it's usually cuz I happen to have food in my backpack. Although, I've been to many screenings, I have hardly ever been "searched". Overall, I usually don't eat anything when I watch a film. That comes with how I was raised. My dad always explained in a logical manner that we go to a movie theatre to see a movie, not to eat. I've never been a huge popcorn fan (unless I have a toothbrush with me) anyway.

I can't see this guy accomplishing much since nothing has ever really effected the price of junk at a movie theatre AND since people will continue to purchase their sugar, fat and grease on their way to their film of choice.

2-19-2008 @ 3:51PM

DAVID F said...

Heh....snuck

2-19-2008 @ 4:20PM

Jenn said...

It's understandable because this is mainly how theaters make their money! I'd rather have them charge more than go bankrupt and have people lose their jobs.

2-19-2008 @ 4:02PM

Anwa123 said...

I think its a crime how theater owners get such a lower percentage off of every ticket sold. The only alternative is to make money off of the next necessity...food. I'm not gonna lie, I bring my own snacks. Wish the industry would take less of a cut off of ticket prices.

2-19-2008 @ 4:48PM

Jennifer said...

Having a small child I frequently find myself having to buy the kids combo However, I usually sneak in a bottle of water that I can get at the Wal-mart next to our theatre for $.35. That's the great thing about being a mommy, a large purse to put toys in comes with it.

2-25-2008 @ 3:24PM

diane slattery said...

if they sold good stuff at the same price as a grocery... then why not buy from the concessions. but they offer crap at outrageous prices - so YES! i bring my snackage, even popcorn (microwave is much better than the rancid popcorn they sell). did sushi once, but a but the sticks are a bit tricky when the lights go down :0

2-19-2008 @ 4:22PM

rex said...

Some times I buy food at the theater, sometimes I sneak it in, sometimes I forget I have a pack of ROLOs in my pocket and end up with chocolate flavored jeans. It's all part of the game.

The only thing this guy is succeeding in doing is making himself look like a jackass. If he doesn't like the prices he can try and do a better job of sneaking in food. Why doesnt' he put is energy to good use and get people to quit talking during movies?

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