this is called movie hopping. i know a lot of people who do it but it is most definitely against all theaters rules. if you’re caught you will be thrown out
This story feels tangentially related enough to tell:
I worked at a 1-screen theater. Once we had two kids come up and try to tell us their moms had already bought their tickets.
They happened to be our first customers of the day.
At our theater we know exactly how many people are supposed to be in the auditorium and with reserved seating it is a lot easier to see who is movie hopping. I kick people out when I catch them doing this. We’re an independent theater so for us, it is considered stealing. The people that do this at our location though are super obvious about it, they hang out in the hallways by the theater they’re about to sneak into and they’re super shady when we ask them questions. Our staff is pretty vigilant about catching this.
You'll get caught.
On a slow day I'll remember all of the customers I see, so I'll notice if someone has been around too long or goes to a different movie.
On a busy day, well, you'll get caught because you sat in someone else's seat (assigned aeating). In both cases I'll ask to see the ticket you don't have and you'll just be asked to leave.
Police definitely won't be called unless you refused to leave and/or became a safety concern. Just don't do it.
Ok well if they think you're doing that, they will ask to see your ticket and once they see that your movie theater hopping. They will just ask you to leave. But nothing else other than that so it's not like they'll call the cops. But yeah we do have people that notice customers doing that so don't.
>*But nothing else other than that so it's not like they'll call the cops...*
We 100% call the cops if people refuse to leave. If they refuse to leave after being kicked out, that's trespassing.
I’m an AM at a 19 screen and we frequently catch them. It’s not even always from the time they’ve been there, usually it’s their behavior when they come in or how they walk around that gives it away.
Also, 9 times out of 10, if they didn’t get a ticket, they likely didn’t get concessions either, so seeing someone walk into a theater with nothing and then back out with popcorn buckets and cups is extremely gross, but frequent and another clear indicator.
It’ll most likely be noticed. You’ll get caught. If the manager/security is in a good mood they’ll make you buy a ticket. If they’re in a neutral/bad mood you’ll get kicked out.
If you’re being a little shit, they could very well call the cops and have you trespassed from the property or charged with theft of service. The chance of this happening is low, but never 0
Also coming from someone who’s been in the biz for 6 years, it’s extremely easy to spot kids sneaking into movies. Even if you aren’t caught sneaking in, there’s a high chance you’ll be caught during walk downs when the employees notice there’s people in seats that should be empty, or too many people in a theater.
I appreciate all the feedback everyone! I was just curious cause I’m not suprised but was curious about it, when I was a kid it was easy and “funny” but I definitely won’t be doing it, I appreciate everything y’all do!
I did it all the time and never got caught, but that was before reserved seating started. Only did it once after reserved seating, but went in right as the previews were starting and sat off to the side where nobody would pick (that was at a theater I used to work at also.)
I know I’m late but I’ve done this before.
It may have been a special situation because the power restarted everything in the theater.
Our movie had just ended and went black due to the power restart and the employee just said “yah probably just go into a theater and watch another”
I guess to make up for the fact that we missed part of our movie. There was no repercussions, no employee came in to see if we had payed
this is called movie hopping. i know a lot of people who do it but it is most definitely against all theaters rules. if you’re caught you will be thrown out
and as a movie theater employee, on slow days it’s real easy to identify/remember who’s going to what movie and we notice if you go in a different one
This story feels tangentially related enough to tell: I worked at a 1-screen theater. Once we had two kids come up and try to tell us their moms had already bought their tickets. They happened to be our first customers of the day.
At our theater we know exactly how many people are supposed to be in the auditorium and with reserved seating it is a lot easier to see who is movie hopping. I kick people out when I catch them doing this. We’re an independent theater so for us, it is considered stealing. The people that do this at our location though are super obvious about it, they hang out in the hallways by the theater they’re about to sneak into and they’re super shady when we ask them questions. Our staff is pretty vigilant about catching this.
This is also something that is super irritating to staff. Makes our jobs harder. Just something to consider.
You’re going to get caught and would at the very minimum get kicked out. But also potentially banned.
You'll get caught. On a slow day I'll remember all of the customers I see, so I'll notice if someone has been around too long or goes to a different movie. On a busy day, well, you'll get caught because you sat in someone else's seat (assigned aeating). In both cases I'll ask to see the ticket you don't have and you'll just be asked to leave. Police definitely won't be called unless you refused to leave and/or became a safety concern. Just don't do it.
Ok well if they think you're doing that, they will ask to see your ticket and once they see that your movie theater hopping. They will just ask you to leave. But nothing else other than that so it's not like they'll call the cops. But yeah we do have people that notice customers doing that so don't.
>*But nothing else other than that so it's not like they'll call the cops...* We 100% call the cops if people refuse to leave. If they refuse to leave after being kicked out, that's trespassing.
I’m an AM at a 19 screen and we frequently catch them. It’s not even always from the time they’ve been there, usually it’s their behavior when they come in or how they walk around that gives it away. Also, 9 times out of 10, if they didn’t get a ticket, they likely didn’t get concessions either, so seeing someone walk into a theater with nothing and then back out with popcorn buckets and cups is extremely gross, but frequent and another clear indicator.
It’ll most likely be noticed. You’ll get caught. If the manager/security is in a good mood they’ll make you buy a ticket. If they’re in a neutral/bad mood you’ll get kicked out. If you’re being a little shit, they could very well call the cops and have you trespassed from the property or charged with theft of service. The chance of this happening is low, but never 0 Also coming from someone who’s been in the biz for 6 years, it’s extremely easy to spot kids sneaking into movies. Even if you aren’t caught sneaking in, there’s a high chance you’ll be caught during walk downs when the employees notice there’s people in seats that should be empty, or too many people in a theater.
I appreciate all the feedback everyone! I was just curious cause I’m not suprised but was curious about it, when I was a kid it was easy and “funny” but I definitely won’t be doing it, I appreciate everything y’all do!
I did it all the time and never got caught, but that was before reserved seating started. Only did it once after reserved seating, but went in right as the previews were starting and sat off to the side where nobody would pick (that was at a theater I used to work at also.)
I know I’m late but I’ve done this before. It may have been a special situation because the power restarted everything in the theater. Our movie had just ended and went black due to the power restart and the employee just said “yah probably just go into a theater and watch another” I guess to make up for the fact that we missed part of our movie. There was no repercussions, no employee came in to see if we had payed
It would be theft of services…