Would you pay this much for a drink? Shocking cinema price sparks backlash
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The cost of everyday essentials has been creeping up, but sometimes, a single price tag can leave people absolutely floored.
One recent discovery at a popular venue has sparked outrage, with customers questioning just how far businesses are willing to push their pricing.
The backlash was swift, as shocked patrons shared their disbelief online—some even vowing to find alternatives rather than pay the steep cost.
The soaring cost of bottled water at a Sydney cinema left moviegoers outraged, with one customer calling the pricing ‘extreme.’
A photo posted to social media showed the menu board at IMAX in Darling Harbour, which is owned by Event Cinemas.
The image highlighted the cost of a 750ml bottle of Pump water, a Coca-Cola product, priced at $7.90.
‘This is at IMAX in Darling Harbour, where you’ve just paid $40 to see a movie,’ the caption read.
‘I’ve watched multiple [people] take a bottle out of the fridge, glance at the prices, then put it back. Kinda surprised they tell you the prices at all.’
For comparison, the same bottle of water was listed at Coles and Woolworths for $3.15.
Some social media users were shocked the price wasn’t even higher, while others noted they had paid more for bottled water at airports and stadiums.
‘I’d go drink tap water in the bathrooms before I pay that price, wtf,’ one person commented.
Another remarked: ‘Imagine the mark-up if it was San Pellegrino.’
A user questioned the pricing, saying: ‘They are taking the p*** out of the food and beverages but isn’t this how movie cinemas actually make their money.’
One pointed out: ‘Petrol is $2.20 per litre and water that falls from the sky is almost $10 per litre.’
Another person admitted they avoided buying from cinemas altogether, saying: ‘I’ve been taking drink and snacks in a backpack for years—do people honestly use the movie snack bars.’
Some were unsurprised by the price, with one writing: ‘I’m surprised it hasn’t reached $10 by now to be honest. Also Darling Harbour would be a massive captive audience. It’s not like you can just walk down to a Coles or Woolies like you could if you were at a cinema in a shopping centre.’
A user compared the pricing to other events, stating: ‘That’s rookie numbers, try going to a music festival.’
Another pointed out an oddity on the menu, saying: ‘A bottle of water costs more than Monster? That’s new.’
One person shared their strategy to avoid overpriced drinks: ‘I just drink tap water these days. And I wear a backpack with a bottle of water in the side pocket … everywhere I go.’
Some compared the price to international standards, with one saying: ‘I just got back from Japan, even bottled water in the f******* airport was $1.’
A spokesperson for Event Cinemas addressed the backlash, explaining that customers had access to various promotions.
‘We offer a range of options and promotions for those customers that wish to purchase food and beverage in our cinemas, including for our Cinebuzz members, who can also access a discount in person or when pre-ordering items online,’ they shared.
In a previous story, a cinema experience took a turn for the worse when a moviegoer encountered something unexpected.
The shocking discovery left them questioning the theatre’s cleanliness and sparked debate online.
Read more about the bizarre incident here.
With cinema prices on the rise, do you think the cost of snacks and drinks has gone too far? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
One recent discovery at a popular venue has sparked outrage, with customers questioning just how far businesses are willing to push their pricing.
The backlash was swift, as shocked patrons shared their disbelief online—some even vowing to find alternatives rather than pay the steep cost.
The soaring cost of bottled water at a Sydney cinema left moviegoers outraged, with one customer calling the pricing ‘extreme.’
A photo posted to social media showed the menu board at IMAX in Darling Harbour, which is owned by Event Cinemas.
The image highlighted the cost of a 750ml bottle of Pump water, a Coca-Cola product, priced at $7.90.
Cinema’s water price shocks moviegoers. Image source: Coca-cola
‘This is at IMAX in Darling Harbour, where you’ve just paid $40 to see a movie,’ the caption read.
‘I’ve watched multiple [people] take a bottle out of the fridge, glance at the prices, then put it back. Kinda surprised they tell you the prices at all.’
For comparison, the same bottle of water was listed at Coles and Woolworths for $3.15.
Some social media users were shocked the price wasn’t even higher, while others noted they had paid more for bottled water at airports and stadiums.
‘I’d go drink tap water in the bathrooms before I pay that price, wtf,’ one person commented.
Another remarked: ‘Imagine the mark-up if it was San Pellegrino.’
A user questioned the pricing, saying: ‘They are taking the p*** out of the food and beverages but isn’t this how movie cinemas actually make their money.’
One pointed out: ‘Petrol is $2.20 per litre and water that falls from the sky is almost $10 per litre.’
Another person admitted they avoided buying from cinemas altogether, saying: ‘I’ve been taking drink and snacks in a backpack for years—do people honestly use the movie snack bars.’
Some were unsurprised by the price, with one writing: ‘I’m surprised it hasn’t reached $10 by now to be honest. Also Darling Harbour would be a massive captive audience. It’s not like you can just walk down to a Coles or Woolies like you could if you were at a cinema in a shopping centre.’
A user compared the pricing to other events, stating: ‘That’s rookie numbers, try going to a music festival.’
Another pointed out an oddity on the menu, saying: ‘A bottle of water costs more than Monster? That’s new.’
One person shared their strategy to avoid overpriced drinks: ‘I just drink tap water these days. And I wear a backpack with a bottle of water in the side pocket … everywhere I go.’
Some compared the price to international standards, with one saying: ‘I just got back from Japan, even bottled water in the f******* airport was $1.’
A spokesperson for Event Cinemas addressed the backlash, explaining that customers had access to various promotions.
‘We offer a range of options and promotions for those customers that wish to purchase food and beverage in our cinemas, including for our Cinebuzz members, who can also access a discount in person or when pre-ordering items online,’ they shared.
In a previous story, a cinema experience took a turn for the worse when a moviegoer encountered something unexpected.
The shocking discovery left them questioning the theatre’s cleanliness and sparked debate online.
Read more about the bizarre incident here.
With cinema prices on the rise, do you think the cost of snacks and drinks has gone too far? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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