The cost of going to the cinema is “still a small enough price to pay for a great movie”, Screentime presenter John Fardy has said. 

The price of going to the movies has gone up in recent years but John believes it is still comparable to many other nights out.

“I still think with the popcorn included… if you and your wife or whoever go and you buy a ticket and you get some snacks, it’s still only 50 quid getting in and out,” he told The Hard Shoulder.

“Which I think to bring back to your night in the restaurant analogy is still a small enough price to pay for a great movie.”

John conceded that the home cinema experience has improved in recent decades but feels there are still certain advantages to going out and watching it in the cinema.

“What you can’t do when you’re at home is you can’t not pause it,” he said.

“So, when you go to the cinema, you have to watch this thing for two and a half hours, or two hours.

“If you choose to get up and leave, that’s your decision - but you can’t pause it.”

Tickets for a cinema screening are seen in September 2011. Picture by: Design Pics / Alamy Stock Photo

Film reviewer Olivia Fahey said it is still possible to watch a film for a cheap price.

“It does vary from cinema to cinema,” she said.

“You could be paying anything from €10 to €20, depending on the type of screen you’re going to, the type of cinema you’re going to and also the time of day.

“Some cinemas also have peak and off peak times and prices.”

Ms Fardy suggested taking out membership of your local cinema - something that can offer big savings over time.

“You’ll end up saving money every time you go to the cinema that way,” she said.

“With some of the prices of the tickets and the monthly memberships, you could actually end up saving money after going to see two films a month - so that is not too bad.”

Main image: People in the cinema.