Theater’s High Prices Far Cry From the Past

It’s interesting the options folks have for watching movies these days and the prices they have to pay for premium services in the evenings.

I remember when the old State Theater in Jewett City entertained audience’s in the borough’s downtown section. It was a good old-fashioned movie theater with the 35 mm projectors that have now become a thing of the past.

The theater was once part of the Welch Theaters chain along with locations in Norwich, Willimantic, Killingly, and Old Saybrook. 

He sold tickets for $5 for adults, $4 for children, and $3 for seniors. 

After the Lisbon Landing Shopping Center opened its O’Neil Cinemas April 8, 2005, which was later bought by Digiplex Destinations, the Jewett City Cinemas and the nearby Norwich Cinemas could no longer compete with a state-of-the-art multiplex. 

Old Saybrook Cinemas closed in 2002, Norwich Cinemas closed its doors in 2005, Willimantic and Jewett City theaters shut down in 2006, and Killingly Cinemas bit the ghost in 2009. 

In the past, movie goers had to purchase tickets at the movie theater’s box office but now they can be purchased online but this added convenience is assessed a $1 fee according to the Digiplex Destination website.

Folks may want to buy their tickets in advance if they are going during the opening weekend of a popular movie or attending on a holiday weekend and don’t want to have to worry about getting to the box office extra early to buy tickets.

However, all seating is first come first serve except D-BOX which has assigned seats, so it’s still smart to get there 20 minutes before the start of the show especially if you are picky about your seats.

For matinees before 7 p.m. the cost is the same for all ages. For regular movies, it is $7.75, 3-D movies are $10.50, D-BOX is $16, and the combination of D-BOX with 3-D is $18.75.

D-BOX allows moviegoers to sit in a seat that moves in motion to the movie. There are speakers built into the back of the seat. I am told the effectiveness is D-BOX depends on the movie.

Lisbon is the only theater in Connecticut with D-BOX. 

For evening movies, the prices climb even more but there are discounts for seniors and children.

For regular movies, it is $10.25 and only $7.75 for children and seniors while for 3-D movies, it is $13 and $10.50 for children and seniors.

For D-BOX movies, it is $18.50 and $16 for children and seniors while movies in D-BOX with 3-D, are $21.25 and $18.75 for children and seniors.

There is a $13.50 difference between an adult seeing a movie as a matinee versus seeing it in the evening with D-BOX and 3-D

For children and seniors, there is an $11 difference.

Of course, these prices are before factoring in money for candy, popcorn, and soda making a date to the movies quite expensive if you or your date wants the “ultimate” movie-going experience.

As we approach winter, it’s no wonder that customers will use their coats to their advantage in sneaking in soda and candy bought at the next door Wal-Mart Supercenter.

It’s hard to believe in 2001, it cost $5 to go to the evening movies, it cost $7 in 2008, and now it has skyrocketed to $10.25 for evening shows.