Why Such a Pain for Teens to Go to the Movies??
At age 13, my daughter was a huge Marvel fan. She watched all the movies and TV shows on Disney+. So, when one of the big Spiderman movies came out, she was thrilled that I got her and her Marvel-loving friend tickets to a 6:30pm show for opening night!
Upon arrival at an AMC theater, they were told their policy had changed that day and that no one under age 18 would be allowed into movies after 6pm without an adult. This policy is unrelated to the movie’s rating. The staff ultimately allowed them to switch their tickets to a 5:30 show. Because they had been extraordinarily insane about arriving early (and thanks to 20+ minutes of previews), they could still get in without missing any of the movie. All’s well that ends well?
In the ensuing 2.5 years, however, this policy has prevented many plans, and made other days a difficult logistical challenge. Most recently, she went to see Inside Out 2 — rated PG — and we had to rush at the end of a work day to get there for the 5:45pm show. At 16, she’s old enough to work at a real job and make her own movie-ticket money and even drive herself to the theater, but she can’t see an appropriately-rated movie after 6pm without her mom??
Sure, there are lots of problems with movie theaters: they’re expensive, they only sell soda by the barrel, and most importantly, most of the movies are terrible. But, the movies are one of the few places where teens can go that involve something that could be reasonably fun for them and are parent-approved. How much trouble can a kid get into at the movies?
Movie theaters and movie makers are constantly lamenting how no one goes to the movies anymore because they can stream at home. Well, what teenager wouldn’t prefer watching from their own couch at night with friends where they don’t have to shell out $30 for tickets and popcorn? Presumably, theaters could still throw kids out if they’re caught making noise or otherwise being unruly. Just let the kids go to the movies!
Fortunately, after making some phone calls, I learned that not all movie theaters have this policy. Next time my kids want to see a movie with friends, we’ll look at The Broad Theater, which has no age restrictions beyond that the movie be appropriately rated for a child’s age. The Prytania Theater (both Uptown and at Canal Place) allows teens without adults (again at appropriately rated movies) before 8pm, which is much more reasonable than 6pm. The Regal Grand Esplanade in Kenner only restricts those under age 18 (without an adult) after 9pm.
