How to save money at Hoyts: Australian man spends nearly $60 on movie ticket in Melbourne

A single picture of a movie ticket has highlighted Australia’s alarming inflation, with ticket and snack prices skyrocketing.

Norman Hermant, a popular ABC reporter, recently shared a photo of his ticket and receipt from watching the latest Indiana Jones movie in Melbourne.

The photo shed light on the exorbitant cost of going to the cinema in Australia, which is now unaffordable for many families.

Looking back on his night out, Hermant said, “I spent money and went to the movies in Hoyts.

He broke off the receipt and said, “A ticket $26.50, Maltesers $8.60, large popcorn $12.30, large drink $10.”

Total $57.40. For a movie.’

According to data from Screen Australia, the ticket price of $26.50 represents an increase of about 20 percent compared to costs in 2019. At the time, an expensive ticket would have cost $22.00.

The average ticket price in 2022 was $16.26, an increase of 12 percent from the price of $14.50 in 2019.

Mr. Hermant also shared a breakdown of his receipt (above) with many commenters surprised by the snack format

Many Aussies were shocked by the prices of a night out at the cinema.

“The price of snacks and drinks is exploitative and prohibitive. Imagine a parent going to the movies with their two kids and spending $150 a day,” one said.

“$8.60 for Maltesers?” Holy crap! It’s better to stream movies at home,” a second added.

Another said, “$26 for a ticket is too expensive, $10 dollars of soda is way too expensive.”

No wonder people stay at home [cinemas] goes the way of Video Ezy and Blockbuster,” wrote a third.

“No wonder cinema companies are going out of business,” said another.

However, several Aussies disagreed, saying the $26.50 ticket was well worth the price.

‘How much would the pub cost you in two hours? Good price,” one wrote.

“I want to point out that a large portion of that sum was not spent on the film!” said another.

“At least you saw a decent movie, mate,” said another.

Mr. Hermant replied: ‘Yes, that takes the sting out. Nice movie, all the better, with a huge screen and great sound. You really can’t imitate that at home.’

Other Aussies left suggestions on how to lower the price of a trip to the movies, with the most popular advice being to buy snacks elsewhere.

Many companies offer their members Hoyts movie tickets for about half that price – RACV, Foxtel, insurance companies and more. Maybe check your “reward programs” for your next movie outing,’ someone said.

“Go to a cheap Tuesday session and cut the Maltesers,” said another.

“I haven’t been in ages, but if I went, I’d bring my own [food]. I even ate a kebab once,” a third added.

‘I recommend independent cinemas, much more fun and cheaper. Plus, polo peeps buy snacks at the grocery store first,” a fourth suggested.

“That’s why I stay home, wait a few weeks and then watch the movie when it comes out on a digital platform,” said another.

The cinemas are a mess these days. Imagine the profit margins on popcorn and drinks. Probably how cinemas survive.’

Inflation is still stubbornly high, fueling fears of further rate hikes that could trigger a recession.

The consumer price index rose 5.6 percent in May, up from an annual rate of 6.8 percent in April, but still well above the Reserve Bank’s target of 2 to 3 percent.

Electricity prices rose 14.1 percent over the year, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released last month.

Food prices are still rising in double digits, with bread and grain prices rising by 12.8 percent and the cost of dairy products rising by 15.1 percent.

Costs for take-out and dining out increased 7.7 percent, while overall food and non-alcoholic beverage prices increased 7.9 percent.

Housing costs – rent, mortgages and utility bills – rose 8.4 percent.

But as a sign of hope, fruit and vegetable prices only rose by 2.7 percent over the year.

Gasoline prices surprisingly fell by eight percent over the year, with crude oil prices moderating since the early months of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In April, fuel prices rose at an annual rate of 9.5 percent, demonstrating the volatility of global commodity markets more than a year after sanctions were imposed on Vladimir Putin’s regime.

Vacation and travel expenses rose 7.3 percent annually in May, but this was an improvement from April’s 11.9 percent increase.

Costs for insurance and financial services increased by 7.8 percent from 6.7 percent.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Hoyts for comment.

Norman Hermant is a popular journalist on the ABC

Commentators suggested bringing your own snacks, going to Hoyts (above) on Cheap Tuesday or streaming movies from home to save money