Families pay a high price to indulge in a night out at the movies

A NIGHT out at the movies in Adelaide is among the most expensive in the world.

Dean McGurgan

A NIGHT out at the movies in Adelaide is among the most expensive in the world.

At $18.50 for a movie ticket, SA cinemagoers are forking out more for a seat than movie-lovers in Paris, Rio, Stockholm, Tel Aviv and also some other Australian cities - such as Brisbane - according to research by ECA International.

In its 2011 cost of living index, only Swiss cities such as Basel and Zurich, Tokyo and Norway's capital Oslo have higher cinema ticket prices.

And when you add 3D to the mix, a family night out at the movies hits the hip-pocket even harder.

An investigation by the Sunday Mail into the cost of watching a 3D screening of new release Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted during the school holidays shows Adelaide to be the second-most expensive capital city in the nation, behind Melbourne.

But according to Wallis Cinema program manager Bob Parr, it's not wise to compare cities - especially internationally - as many variables come into play when pricing a movie ticket.

"It's not comparable ... because their wages are not as high as ours, they don't have long service leave, they don't have anywhere near the occupational health and safety standards we do and our rents and energy costs are higher," Mr Parr said.

Palace Nova state manager Andrew Skinner echoed this sentiment and also pointed out, when compared with other entertainment-related leisure activities, a night at the movies still stacks up.

"When you look at a concert, the football or cricket match, in most cases a cinema ticket is less than half the price," Mr Skinner said. "You also need to look at when you come during the week. If you visit us at an off-peak time like a Monday its only $7, if you come on a Saturday night it's peak time so the cost will be more."

However, a recent IBISWorld report found cinema industry profits fell about 4.5 per cent last financial year to $1.74 billion as a result of declining attendance and lower candy bar sales.

When contacted by the Sunday Mail about the issue, Event Cinemas declined to comment.

Dean McGurgan, of Aberfoyle Park, said he and his family now save cinema outings for special occasions as a result of rising ticket prices.

"It seems pretty crazy to go and spend $90 on the movie ... when you can hire it in three months for $5," he said.

TO BIG A PRICE

Seoul $7.80

Tel Aviv $10.20

Rio $12.90

Paris $15.50

Copenhagen $16.20

Melbourne $16.60

Adelaide $18.50

Oslo $18.80

Zurich $19.60

Tokyo $23.80

Source: ECA International, 2011