I thought tickets had more standard pricing across markets. For a standard ticket here in SF -- (I know we're comparing probably the highest end to the lowset end here) -- its $22. For IMAX its about $30, at your standard AMC. Indie theatres are not cheaper and are often more expensive.
7 dollar tickets I haven't seen since elementary school
Other side of the pond here (western Europe), but I pay 6 in an indie cinema, 12 if I went to IMAX and similar (which I never do because most of those are dubbed).
Popcorn and drinks is usually roughly the same price as the ticket, though the smaller ones frequently forbid it - they claim for the experience, I wonder if it's that or not wanting to clean between passes.
Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday and tickets are 50% off at AMC (and maybe other theaters). While still not cheap, that gets you down to $16.49 for an imax showing at the metreon AMC and $9.49 for a standard screen.
AMC also has their A List thing which is $27/month (here in NYC) while a regular evening ticket is ~$24. It's a stupidly good deal if you go to even two movies a month.
Despite what everyone here always says I haven't noticed a substantial difference in service or the audience quality since pre-COVID. Remember, even in the early 90's Seinfeld had an entire B-plot about disruptive movie-goers. This isn't new.
The one thing that's annoying is the commercials, but AMC even tells you how long those are now, and with reserved seats, you can just show up near the end of them.
7 dollar tickets I haven't seen since elementary school