Going to the movies is a real treat for Rotorua brothers Ethan Hapi and Kaleb Angel.
Their grandmother Rangi Karika took the boys along to Reading Cinema this week to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Normally, the boys would be running around outside playing with mates or playing computer games, Mrs Karika said.
"I thought it would be a good day out to get them out of the house and have a special treat.
"It's the first time I have brought them to the movies ... they are usually on the net."
Ethan told The Daily Post as he waited to go inside to watch the movie that he was looking forward to it.
"It sounds like it's a really funny movie," he said.
Younger brother, Kaleb said he couldn't wait to see the movie.
It's his first time experiencing the big screen.
"I think it's going to be a lot of fun."
The theatre was packed with queues of movie buffs waiting in line for tickets when The Daily Post arrived at Reading Cinema.
Most of those spoken to said they preferred to go to the movies rather than being parked up in front of the television with a DVD - the opposite of those who left messages on The Daily Post Facebook site stating going to the movies was an expensive night out because of the price of extras like popcorn, which ranged from $5.50 to $8.50 at the cinema's CandyBar.
Manager Adam Morrison said movies were just as popular today as they were 20 years ago.
"Nothing beats the big screen experience. Our busiest time is in the school holidays.
"We offer discounted prices on a Tuesday and Wednesday all year round and family passes in the holidays."
Rotorua mum Debbie Ryan said that while she objected to the $30 price to get her kids in to see a movie, it was well worth it compared with renting a DVD.
"They are sick of staying at home and watching DVDs.
"This way they get to feel like they have been out instead of being stuck indoors and moaning about having nothing to do. I'm sick of telling them to clean their rooms, so we have escaped to see Madagascar."
Meanwhile, other parents on Facebook have left messages saying going to the movies is too expensive.
One woman posted "prefer to get movies out or book on Sky, cost of pictures is just crazy".
Another woman has been left shocked at the cost of taking her family to see a movie, saying she spent $150.
"Today with all the technology getting cheaper, I can't understand why the movies get more expensive."
Another person wrote that if the price came down more people might go.