Is it wrong to bring refreshments into the movie theater? With their prices so high, I feel like they are literally robbing people and taking advantage of the public.

What are your thoughts? Does bringing in refreshments go against Christianity when you sneak it in?

Hmmm, good question. We have also done this for years and I never really thought about it (a lot of times we do but popcaron though because I love movie popcaorn). I would say no because it is not like you are stealing from them. But, I am interested to see what other people say.

~My dad always said "When in doubt, throw it out". I don't sneak food in because I think it's deceptive and disrespectful of the theater's rules. A couple of times(while I was pregnant and the time we saw Lord of the Rings) I carried in a bottle of water and a candy bar for blood sugar reasons. I was prepared to explain my need for them but I was never questioned about them. Movies and snacks are optional purchases. The company sets the price and you choose whether or not to pay it. "Robbed" is having no choice at all. Remember when Jesus overturned all the money-changers tables in the Temple? It's because they were making a huge profit from something the worshippers NEEDED. Notice Jesus didn't go to the open-air marketplace and wreck the carts there, outraged at what merchants were charging for popcorn and sodas.~

I budget money in for snacks when attending the movies. Sneaking is wrong in my book. If I cannot abide by the theater rules, I will not attend.

Years ago, the theaters here allowed carry-in food-- there was a story in the paper once about people bringing in pizzas and buckets of chicken. I've never seen it posted that you can no longer do that, so yes, I do sometimes take candy in my purse. We usually buy a fountain soda and/or popcorn, though-- somehow it's just part of our very rare theater nights.

I don't do it because I feel it is wrong. If its not wrong, I shouldn't have to "sneak" to do it. I think Nuisance hit the nail on the head.

I wouldn't do it either.
My dh and I go to the drive in, so we can bring in our own food.

Can I butt in here? Movies theatres rely upon concession sales to make their profits. All money grossed from box office sales go to the movie companies. All operating expenses must come sales from the stand. Also, movie theatres have to pay the movie companies a fee to get the movies into their theatre.

The only thing that I bring in is a bottled water. I do not drink soda and if I try to buy a cup of water they want to charge me for the cup and the ice.

I just went this weekend. I did not bring snacks and I did buy popcorn and a soda, but I have brought snacks in the past. So it's a 50/50 shot with me. When the girls were small movies were a big treat. We could barely afford to buy a ticket never mind pay $4.50 for a box of candy. I was not going to sit there and have the kids watch everyone else in the theater snack.
Stealing? No. In order for me to steal I would have to go in back of the counter and take a box of candy without paying for it.

I don't do it because it feels "wrong" (to me). Rules are rules and I am not one to break them. Because of this, we rarely (once a year, if even) go to the theater. I am perfectly happy waiting until a movie is released on DVD so I can save the money.