Is It OK to Sneak Food Into the Movies?

Sneaking food into a movie is tempting. For one thing, the choices at the snack counter are almost always junk food—nachos, candy, greasy soft pretzels. What if you want something healthy?

Then there are the prices. Why pay $5 for M&Ms when you can get them for several dollars cheaper at the corner store? Movie theater popcorn has been labeled as one of America’s biggest rip-offs. You might pay $8 for a large tub of popcorn that cost the theater less than a dollar to make. You’re already paying plenty for your ticket. Why hand the theater even more money? 

Sneaking food into a movie is tempting. For one thing, the choices at the snack counter are mainly junk food—nachos, candy, greasy soft pretzels. What if you want a healthy snack?

Then there are the prices. Why pay $5 for M&Ms when they cost so much less at the corner store? Movie theater popcorn has been labeled as one of America’s biggest rip-offs. You might pay $8 for a tub of popcorn that cost the theater less than a dollar to make. You’ve already paid plenty for your ticket. Why hand the theater even more money?

Llevar comida al cine a escondidas es tentador. Para empezar, las opciones en la cafetería son casi siempre comida chatarra: nachos, dulces, pretzels grasientos. ¿Qué pasa si quieres algo saludable?

Luego están los precios. ¿Por qué pagar $5 por los M&M cuando los puedes conseguir por varios dólares más baratos en la tienda de la esquina? Las palomitas de los cines han sido clasificadas como una de las estafas más grandes en EE.UU. Puede que pagues $8 por una bolsa grande de palomitas que al cine le cuesta menos de un dólar preparar. Ya estás pagando bastante por tu taquilla. ¿Por qué entregarle al cine todavía más dinero? 

Theater owners say they need that money to stay in business. The cost of running a theater is high. Owners must pay for the huge buildings and all that it takes to keep those buildings running. They have workers to pay and equipment to buy. Much of what you spend for your ticket actually goes to the company that made the movie, not to the theater owner.

Another challenge for movie theater owners: Fewer people have been going to theaters lately. Many people prefer streaming movies at home. If moviegoers were to stop buying food, some theater owners would have to raise ticket prices—or shut down. 

Theater owners say they need that money to stay in business. The cost of running a theater is high. Owners must pay for the huge buildings. There are power bills. There are workers to pay and equipment to buy. And much of the money you spend for your ticket goes to the company that made the movie, not to the theater owner.

Also, fewer people have been going to theaters lately. Many prefer to stream movies at home. If moviegoers stopped buying food, some theater owners would have to raise ticket prices—or shut down.

Los dueños de los cines dicen que necesitan ese dinero para continuar funcionando. El costo de operar un cine es alto. Los dueños tienen que pagar por los enormes edificios y todo lo que conlleva mantener en operación esos edificios. Tienen empleados a los que pagar y equipo que comprar. Gran parte de lo que gastas en la taquilla en realidad va a la compañía que hizo la película, no al dueño del cine. 

Otro reto que enfrentan los dueños de los cines: Últimamente va menos gente a los cines. Mucha gente prefiere ver las películas por Internet en casa. Si el público dejara de comprar la comida, los dueños de algunos cines tendrían que subir los precios de las taquillas, o cerrar. 

There is another reason to think twice before sneaking food into the movies: It’s against the rules. Some theaters will kick you out if they catch you smuggling in food.

But the possibility of getting punished isn’t the only reason to follow the rules. Following rules shows respect. Sneaking food into the movies is kind of like bringing McDonald’s to your grandmother’s: It’s just rude.

So what’s the solution?

Well, here’s an idea: Eat before the movie.  

Do you need one more reason to think twice before sneaking food into the movies? It’s against the rules. Some theaters will kick you out if they catch you smuggling in food.

Besides, following rules shows respect. Sneaking food into the movies is kind of like bringing McDonald’s to your grandma’s house. It’s just rude.

So what’s the answer?

Well, here’s an idea: Eat before the movie. 

Hay otra razón por la que hay que pensarlo dos veces antes de llevar comida a los cines a escondidas: va contra las reglas. En algunos cines te echan a la calle si te atrapan llevando comida a hurtadillas.

Sin embargo, la posibilidad de recibir un castigo no es la única razón para seguir las reglas. Seguir las reglas demuestra respeto. Llevar comida a escondidas es como llevar comida de McDonald’s a casa de tu abuela: es simplemente grosero.

¿Cuál es la solución?

Bueno, te damos una idea: come antes de ir al cine.