walking into a theater to buy popcorn but not seeing the movie

[Demovictory9]

In the short clip, user @eagerem says people can simply walk into a movie theater and buy popcorn—even if they have no intention of seeing a movie. She records the video from her car, where two large boxes of popcorn are visible.


Of course, this isn’t really a huge movie theater hack. Over the years, people have repeatedly asked on Reddit, Quora, and other question-based websites whether this was possible.

Not every movie theater allows this, either. In the comments of @eagerem’s video, several users pointed out that their local theaters check tickets before the concession stand. Since posting her video, it’s been viewed over 1.5 million times.

And the ‘hack’ appears to have surprised at least some of the video’s viewers.

“Something that feels illegal, but isn’t,” one user commented.

----------------------------------

“Movie popcorn is literally the most overpriced thing in the world,” one user said.

“That’s $40 in popcorn,” another wrote.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/other/this-is-a-great-idea-tiktoker-shares-apparent-movie-theater-popcorn-hack-in-viral-video/ar-AANQFsN?ocid=msedgntp

[Hugh_Lebowski]

1. Basically all the money the theater makes is on concessions, and they're all wildly overpriced ...

If they don't let you in to buy them regardless of you seeing a movie, that's really stupid of them.

Conversely, if you are the person trying to do so ... you're about equally stupid ... though I can see some occasional exceptions to that rule.

[Demovictory9]

3. yeah... so overpriced. Small bottle of water cost $6.

I pay it to support movies theaters during this crisis

[Hugh_Lebowski]

6. Oh, I meant buying WITHOUT seeing a movie, just walking in off the street

When I go to see a movie, I'll buy some cause I know that's the large majority of how the theater stays in business.

Your movie ticket is almost entirely 'what you're paying to the movie studio'. Esp. with big, new popular releases.

[Demovictory9]

11. got it.

[cinematicdiversions]

2. My wife used to do this in a movie theater at the mall.

She loved the popcorn and would eat it during our walks around the mall.

[Demovictory9]

4. it does taste different than store bought

[yonder]

5. I've done that before when jonesing for movie popcorn.

I can't understand why they would want to restrict that - its high-priced and a money maker.

[Demovictory9]

7. maybe afraid customer will slip into movie for free

I worked for a venue located in a park long time ago... folks would ask to use the restroom and disappear into the venue

[Hugh_Lebowski]

8. If that happened to me, I'd just go see a movie (nt)

[yonder]

9. Ah, yes. I get it now.

Edit: reply to #7 and another facepalm,

[left-of-center2012]

10. I am 75 years old

Every movie theater I have gone to has collected the ticket as I enter the lobby,
before I get to the concession stands.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

12. About 50-50 around here.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

13. Here in AZ I've been to a few where tickets are collected later, as you head into the 'halls'

Also at least one major theater chain in this area peddles their wares for delivery through Doordash and the like.

[left-of-center2012]

14. I'm in Albuquerque

I'll have to check out my Doordash.
That sounds interesting.