NPD Group: Economic Concerns Do Little to Dampen a Night at the Movies

According to The NPD Group, a leading market research company, many of the most avid movie ticket buyers in the U.S. enjoy watching movies in the theater for social reasons that go beyond simple economic calculations. One-third of moviegoers head to the theaters four or more times in an average three-month period, and these consumers remain positive about spending their money on entertainment content -- and on movie outings in particular.

NPD's "Entertainment Trends in America" reports that nearly 80 percent of frequent moviegoers plan to go to the theater the same amount or more often than they did last year, despite news about a declining U.S. economy. Even among infrequent moviegoers (those who attend movies once or twice within three months) 57 percent plan to hold steady, or even increase, their attendance this year.

The top reason cited by consumers who intend to go to the movies more often this year is the social experience of going with family, friends, or significant others (73 percent). Nearly half (48 percent) pointed to the overall "movie-theater experience" (e.g., large screen, sound systems, etc.) as a primary reason they like to watch movies in the theater.
[...]

please read the rest here (http://www.redorbit.com/news/entertainment/1527350/the_npd_group_economic_concerns_do_little_to_dampe n_a/)

Once again, certain entertainment always seems to be immune during economic turbulance. Movies appears to be a must entertainment commodity in America. Thanks for the link.

You know, they've been saying that movies as a whole were decreasing in popularity over the last few years, but this summer has really proven otherwise. I think honestly, more than anything it's just about the quality of what's being put out there. If studios are going to churn out top quality stuff, then people will fill the seats.

The bad economy has actually helped movies this summer. With gas prices making road trips and other usual summer mainstays harder this summer, I think people were just taking in more movies.

That coupled with an unusually strong summer lineup, lead to the higher sales.