You go to the theater for the "unique" concessions? I guess stale nachos and overpriced M&Ms are "unique", but I'd debate if they're a reason to go to the movies. :)
Not THEE reason, but definitely those overpriced snacks are a huge income for them. Just like nightclubs and their $4 water bottles and $9 drinks.
Can't really go to a nightclub without drinking, can't really go to the movies without eating. I know some people do, but that's the very few minority.
I remember when a nightclub I sometimes go to, http://1015.com/, was closed because their alcohol license expired by accident. I was shocked that they closed the whole place down, but after talking to co-workers they said "Yeah, the drinks are the cash. No overpriced drinks, no point in even doing business..."
I don't drink alcohol myself, I actually go to dance! ...by myself even!
But the price of drinks in nightclubs are so high precisely because they know you want/have to be there for other, social means (unless you're in one of the few places that actually serves brilliant and justifiably-priced beverages).
And, I would argue, that, analogously, that is the reason why cinemas have ridiculously priced concessions — because you go to the cinema on a date, or with friends, for a social occasion that causes you (or some people) to be willing to pay higher prices for their drinks and candy. Take, for example, going on a date, many partners may feel pressured under the social norm of not wanting to appear 'stingy' and will shell-out the $15 for a bag of popcorn and a Coke.
If you wanted concessions independently of a cinema, then you likely have a fetish for over-priced junk food!
> Can't really go to a nightclub without drinking, can't really go to the movies without eating.
I just want to point out here that this seems to be an American thing. Having experienced movie theaters in the US and in France, I'm still shocked at the number of people who eat in theaters here (in the US). When I pay my ticket $20+, I don't really feel like adding $10 for a Coke and some popcorn. In France, you may have something like 5 to 10% of the audience eating or drinking (the seats don't even have cup holders).
I might be seeing this backwards though, and maybe France is the exception here.
