New Reading Cinema for Auckland bringing ticket prices down

The new stormtroopers from Star Wars The Force Awakens. Cinemas will have high hopes for the blockbuster. Photo / Getty Images

There's a new kid on the cinema block - and it's about to shake things up with $10 standard ticket pricing.

Auckland's first Reading Cinema will be based in the new LynnMall Brickworks dining and entertainment precinct and is set to open its doors on November 26.

"We are committed to delivering the highest level of service and value to our customers, and are proud to extend our offerings as part of the upgrades and renovations to the historic LynnMall centre," managing director of Reading Entertainment Wayne Smith said in a statement today.

Auckland's first Reading Cinema is offering $10 standard movie tickets and will take its place in The Brickworks at LynnMall, with an opening on November 26.

Reading promises a range of blockbuster and arthouse fare - filling a gap in the New Lynn area, which has been void for the past 14 years. It also brings competitive prices to an Auckland market previously dominated by Event and Hoyts Cinemas.

The new Reading cinema - which will be banking on huge returns from upcoming blockbusters Star Wars The Force Awakens and the final Hunger Games movie - hopes to cut costs to a more affordable rate, in order to accommodate family groups and individuals alike.

There will be $10 standard prices for all ages, excluding TITAN XC offerings which have a 20 metre wide "wall-to-wall" screen and an immersive 3D sound system, or their premium dine-in option.

All tickets for all up-coming films should be made available online in the next "couple of days" according to Reading.

Already viewers are asking questions online and sharing their excitement on Facebook.

"I will gladly drive out of my way to support a cinema complex offering tickets at that price.....I hope plenty of people will do the same. We need to support anyone trying to give us a better deal way to go Reading," one wrote.

"We can afford to go movies again..." another said.

The cheap tickets offer stiff competition to current offerings.

A Saturday night screening of the new Bond film Spectre at Hoyts Sylvia Park will cost $19 per adult or $13.50 per child.

A similar screening at Event Cinemas Queen Street will set you back $18.50 for an adult or $13 per child.

When contacted by the Herald, Hoyts New Zealand general manager of operations Matthew Garelli declined to comment, saying the low price point would not affect their existing cinemas.

Events Cinemas general manager Carmen Switzer also did not respond to messages.

- nzherald.co.nz