Saudis complain about high price of cinema tickets

Saudi citizens have complained about the high prices of the tickets of the only cinema in the country, calling for a reduction of prices to meet their limited incomes, The New Khalij reported on Friday.

The American company AMC, which got the first license to open a cinema in Saudi Arabia, is selling the ticket for one film at 75 Saudi Riyals ($20) – the highest price compared to Arab and EU countries.

Using a Twitter hashtag in Arabic (#تذكره_السينما_٧٥_ريال), which means the price of a cinema ticket is 75 riyals, the Saudis stressed there is a discrepancy compared to the incomes of all Saudis.

Thenewkhalij.org said that if a five-member Saudi family wanted to watch a film, it would have to pay 375 Saudi Riyals ($100).

Saudi writer Waheed al-Ghamedi wrote on Twitter: “The American company wanted to achieve high profits from the first month.”

On Wednesday, the cinema officially opened its doors and screened the first film after four decades of banning on such cultural activities.

Three other cinemas in the same financial mall are scheduled to open later on as part of a plan to open 40 cinemas by AMC in Saudi Arabia during the next five years.