Cinemas!Is it allowed?

Question

Are cinemas allowed to search your bags to check for hot food?
My local one has decided to do it, I don't like it (mostly becuase my family bring in KFC) But also are they allowed to do that?

Answer 1

On their property they pretty much can. Can you blame them? Maybe you are nice enough to throw your stuff away, but a LOT of people leave it lying there when they go. It can get really nasty really fast.

Besides that, it is costing them a lot of money from lost concessions. That said, the cost of popcorn and a drink at a theater is obscene. I, personally, refuse to buy it at those unjust prices. So although I don't blame them for searching, I don't blame YOU for trying to sneak stuff in!

Answer 2

If it's posted "no carry ins" then they have the right to check your bags for it.

I can see sneaking in some candy, but KFC, that's a bit extreme. Perhaps you should eat dinner before you go to the show. That's probably why they're checking bags - hard to hide the smell of hot food and I'm sure the people sitting next to you and your family are complaining.

Answer 3

I doubt they would care if you brought in a bottled watter or a
small bag of chips. But you are talking about having a picnic'


theaters make there money off of the con session stand and only get about 2 dollars for you buying your ticket.

and being that it is there theater they can do what they want
if they say no outside food then so be it .If you don't like it
Take your Picnic and go somewhere else. or open up your own theater.


I hate people that can't do anything without pushing food in there face no matter where they are, even in the buffet line while standing in line you see people stuffing there faces like they can't wait to even walk 5 steps to sit down.

Answer 4

The cinema is private property and has the right to refuse admission to those whose behavior they deem inappropriate. If you're eating KFC in the theater, I'd say they certainly have their reasons. Get a clue - nobody wants to watch a movie next to a family eating greasy industrial chicken.

Answer 5

It's THEIR cinema and they can apply any ruling they want to entry, so if they say "no hot food", that's it. Easy as that - and besides, it's bad enough having to smell the stuff on buses where people can't restrain themselves until they get home, so I can't think what it would be like sitting next to somebody eating KFC (or anything else of that nature) stinking the place out at the pictures ! ! !

Answer 6

Well I know that most cinemas only allow you to consume food and drink purchased on their premises, but I think thats a bit far to actually search you. I'm pretty sure thats not allowed.

They can just chuck you out if they see you with that food, but again, no way can they search you.

Answer 7

Usually, they allow you to bring in food that the theater sells. Why? Because when other viewers sees. hears, smells the food you are eating, they will want some to. So, they go to the concession stand to get it. Other than that, they won't allow you to bring it in. Any place of business has a right to forbid food in their place. It's common is most business as well as "no shirt, no shoes, no serive" and no pets (unless it's a seeing or hearing aid pet).

Answer 8

No they can't. It's unconstitutional. A private corporation has no more rights than an individual. If you were walking down the street and a stranger asked to search your bag, would this be legal? Of course not.

Amendment IV of the constitution:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Answer 9

There is likely a clearly posted sign that says "no outside food or drink." This means that what you're doing is against theatre policy and they are well within their rights to make sure you're following policy.

They've been doing this for years. I can understand their reasoning, it's like going to Burger King and asking for a drink to go with your Happy Meal from McDonald's. They'll sell it to you, but they'd really rather you get your food from them. They are in it to make money.

Answer 10

It depends on the state. But in some states, moviegoers have taken theaters to court, and the ticketbuyers have won. They do NOT have the right to check your bags for anything except movie cameras, to protect the copyright of movies. Food is ok. They just do it because they make more of a profit selling concessions than they do selling tickets.