Latest outburst from Elijah Wood shows he is not a fan of AMC Entertainment’s latest move around ticketing that sets different prices for different seats inside its theaters.
Following news yesterday by AMC Theatres that it will be charging higher prices for seats with the best ‘sightline’ to the screen, ‘The Lord of the Rings‘ actor has blasted AMC’s new tiered ticket pricing.
The actor tweeted: ‘The movie theater is and always has been a sacred democratic space for all and this new initiative by @AMCTheatres would essentially penalize people for lower income and reward for higher income.’
This new move from AMC Theatres means less attractive locations — like the first row — are cheaper.
Elijah Wood is now joined by many others who also criticised the new move.
‘Look, this is some classist shit,’ wrote YouTube film critic John Rocha. ‘IMAX, 4DX, 3D, Screen X charging more makes sense since you’re getting the film in a new way. BUT this is not the way. Poor people, you sit in the poor section and you rich folks please move the velvet ropes around the…’
Actor and director Stephen Ford responded: ‘You know what waiting for streaming ain’t that bad.’
‘It’ll just make people stay home more often than not,’ said another.
A movie-goer said: ‘We have 5 kids & going to the movies is so expensive. We rarely go anymore – Tickets, Popcorn, drinks & it’s $150.
‘We can rent a brand-new release, pop our own popcorn & spend $20 to stay at home. They’re already losing customers so they make it even more expensive? Genius!’
As it is, the Sightline initiative kicks off on Friday at select AMC locations in New York, Chicago and Kansas City and will be expanded to all domestic AMC locations by the end of the year, per Variety.
The exhibitor is offering three different seat-pricing options: Standard Sightline (‘seats that are the most common in auditoriums and are available for the traditional cost of a ticket’), Value Sightline (‘seats in the front row of the auditorium, as well as select ADA seats in each auditorium, and are available at a lower price than standard sightline seats’) and Preferred Sightline (‘seats in the middle of the auditorium and are priced at a premium to standard sightline seats’).
The price points will range from standard price, $2 off for a value seat, and $2 extra for a preferred seat in a prime location.
AMC also noted in its announcement that AMC Stubs A-List members will be able to reserve seats in the Preferred Sightline Section at no additional cost. Value Sightline pricing is only available to AMC Stubs members, including the free tier membership.
