, Columnist
Why ‘Barbie’ Tickets Aren’t More Expensive
Given the strong demand, movie theaters could charge more, but they are more concerned with cultivating their audience.
Generating buzz.
Photographer: Eric Thayer/Bloomberg
Both Oppenheimer and Barbie are so popular that tickets are selling out days or even weeks in advance. That’s great for Hollywood, but it raises a question for economists: Why don’t ticket prices rise to clear the market and eliminate any waiting period? Those willing to pay more to see the movie sooner would be able to, and the theaters and studios might be able to make more money.
As it turns out, however, there are good explanations for why ticket prices don’t go up.