According to our analysis of reported averages from major theater chains, the average movie ticket price in US theaters rose to $10.78 in 2023, from $10.53 in 2022. That represents an estimated increase of 4% over 12 months, about in line with the ticket price trend in 2022.
Our model draws from the average ticket prices reported in the SEC filings of three major theater chains: AMC, Cinemark, and Cineplex. This data is then compared and modeled against the average ticket price reported by the National Association of Theater Owners (until 2021) and The Cinema Foundation in their report on the 2022 theatrical market.
Here are the precise parameters for the model based on our latest analysis, along with a chart of how our estimates compare with the “official” figures from those trade organizations:
Our estimates have historically been
within 5% of the actual figures. For instance, our estimates for the average ticket price in 2022 had a margin of error of only 1.3% compared to the actual number published by the Cinema Foundation. Assuming our model performs as well again this year, the final number from whichever trade organization publishes it this year will most likely be between $10.50 and $11. We’ll share that figure and update our models as soon as we get it.
After the turmoil of the pandemic, ticket prices increased slowly but fairly steadily over the past year, driven in part, we suspect, by the success of IMAX and other premium formats in 2023. Given the relative lack of films crying out for an IMAX release in 2024, ticket price inflation is likely to decline a little this year.
We’re making our quarterly average ticket price estimates freely available, so please go ahead and use them in your own projects. We just ask that you credit The Numbers as your source.
– To get quarterly updates to average ticket prices, box office predictions for the next 12 months, and more, please subscribe to The Numbers Bankability and Box Office Report.
Sebastian Gomez and Bruce Nash, research@the-numbers.com