Inflation adjust that take and compare with 1996ish.
Maybe in the big cities they still go?
In the rest of the country, parking lot is nearly empty every time we drive by, even Sat evenings.
Nothing really good to see anymore other than some franchise stuff.
The current expenses meaning rent/lease expense (which is also higher because of inflation), upgrading sound technology (which is also higher because of inflation), new seating - most theaters around here have the reclining chairs with raised legs/feet (which is also higher because of inflation)
I've never heard anyone tell Apple when that company has record revenue, that it is because of inflation. Apple still has to pay all its expenses with current dollars, so who cares?