Why Are You Paying $9 for Popcorn?!

You just paid $15 for a movie ticket. Then $9 for popcorn. And every time, you think — this is highway robbery. But here's the thing: the theater needs you to buy that popcorn. Not because they're greedy. Because they barely see a dollar of your ticket. In this video, we break down how movie studios take the lion's share of ticket revenue — especially in opening week — and why concessions aren't just a bonus revenue stream. They're the entire business model. The popcorn that costs 20 cents to make and sells for $9 is the only reason your local theater is still open. Drawing Interest explains how money and business actually work — using stick figures.