The lights go down. The movie is about to start. Then someone pulls a burger from her backpack.

The three biggest theater chains in the U.S. don’t allow outside food. But that doesn’t stop some people from bringing their own snacks anyway. 

A lot of people who bring outside food into theaters don’t want to pay high prices at snack stands. At many theaters, a large popcorn and drink costs about as much as a movie ticket. 

But some people point out that many theaters earn nearly half of their money from the sale of snacks. Sneaking in your own food hurts the theater’s business.

Movie tickets are not cheap. Add the cost of snacks, and going to the movies can be too expensive. When my mom and I watch movies at home, we share a bag of microwave popcorn that costs $1.25. At a theater, popcorn costs $6 or more. Plus, many theaters don’t have good snacks for people with allergies. They should be allowed to bring their own food.

It’s best to follow the theater’s rules. You should check with the staff before you bring in your own snacks. Theaters make a lot of their money from the food they sell. If fewer people buy snacks, theaters might raise ticket prices. 

You can still enjoy having snacks even if you don’t want to buy them at the theater. Eat before you go to the movies or when you get home.