Most people try their luck by sneaking into a movie theater and watching multiple shows with just one ticket.
Theater hopping aka sneaking into a movie is a practice of seeing the movie without really paying. It is theft of services and usually happens in large, crowded cinemas.
Besides all the stealthy backdoor maneuvers and fake-butter-flavored fibs lies, the real question is whether theater hopping is illegal or not. Can the person face potential criminal ramifications? Even though theater management usually ignores such trespassers, however, the individual can face serious consequences of movie hopping.
Is Theater Hopping Illegal?
Is movie hopping illegal? The answer is yes, the person is guilty of stealing services. Movie hoppers spend the day in a large theater, jumping between shows, and then disappearing in the large crowded hallways.
When a person purchases a ticket, it means he has bought the right to attend a specific show or watch a particular movie.
A movie ticket, in essence, is a license that prevents the law from considering you a trespasser. If you go to see other shows with just one ticket, you are violating the consent, and therefore, trespassing.
In most states, trespassing is a misdemeanor and the person can face jail or get fined for this criminal act. It is also wrong on ethical grounds, only watch shows that you paid for.
Why is Theater Hopping Wrong?
When the person attends some or all the shows being displayed at the theater with just one ticket, he is receiving the benefit he did not pay for.
The creators or distributors of the production who get a percentage of ticket sales did not get the deserving amount.
If the theater is full or all the seats are booked, actual customers who paid for the show would not have a place to sit.
Therefore, the hopper is guilty of stealing, not the money or an item but the services. Like shoplifting, the trespasser has entered into or onto premises where he had no legal license to go.
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Potential Consequences of Movie Hopping
Movie hoppers are not likely going to get away with this crime every time, if he gets caught and the authorities decide to take action, he could face serious consequences for this act.
Mostly, theater managers do not take legal action against the criminal but forcibly remove him from the premises.
The trespasser gets banned from entering the theater even after buying a ticket.
In the worst-case scenario, if you enter the theater you have been banned from, you could get arrested for the criminal charge of trespassing.
The theater owner can file a suit against the hopper for civil trespassing. Usually, penalties for simple trespassing are rarely imposed.
These are considered felony crimes instead of misdemeanor crimes.
Though the penalties for misdemeanors vary for different states, however, the hopper may have to pay a max fine of $10000 and about 6 months to a year of jail time.
Generally, offenders get away with trespassing without getting any penalties.
If a trespasser is a minor, calls are made to the parents and guardians to report the conduct.
If the parents do not take responsibility for the child, theater authorities contact child welfare.
A criminal conviction for theft could be a huge black mark for a person as no businesses will like to hire you and it would be difficult to travel to other countries.
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Wrap Up
Odds are, you will not get caught or arrested for sneaking into a movie but the hopper should understand why it is wrong to do so. It is better to buy a ticket that costs about $10 than to have a criminal record for theft.
