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Author Topic: Average number of seats in a multiplex Gary Davidson Expert Film Handler Posts: 101 From: Santa Monica, CA Registered: Jan 2004 posted 01-12-2005 04:48 PM                     I am trying to figure out how many seats an average multiplex (13 screens) has. Does anyone have that number? Thanks, Gary  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-12-2005 10:26 PM                        You're probably going to have supply more info to get any answers, especially "how big a town are you talking about?" Multiplexes in big cities might have 600-seat (or larger) auditoriums all the way down to 150 or so (or smaller), while the biggest theatre near me, the Carmike Wynnsong 10 in Billings MT, has houses ranging from 225 down to about 80.  |  IP: Logged Gary Davidson Expert Film Handler Posts: 101 From: Santa Monica, CA Registered: Jan 2004 posted 01-13-2005 09:38 AM                     Thanks Mike.... I guess it is a lot more complicated than I thought. Is it possible to break multiplex size down into 3 basic markets – major markets, mid-size markets, and small markets? Bottom line I am trying to figure out a typical seat count for a 13-plex in each of those markets. Gary  |  IP: Logged Thomas Procyk Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1842 From: Royal Palm Beach, FL, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 01-13-2005 10:05 AM                     Let's see... From memory, I've worked at... A 6-screen with 1550 seats A 8-screen with 1825 seats A 8-screen with 2150 seats A 18-screen with 4800 seats Dunno what "market" they would be in, but they were all near fairly large cities (West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach and Orlando) Hope it helps give you an idea. Also if you want, you can walk in to your favorite theater and look around the lobby for a "Maximum Occupancy" sign. If there isn't one for the whole complex, there should at least be one by each auditorium (in most states). =TMP=  |  IP: Logged Mike Spaeth Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1129 From: Marietta, GA Registered: Jul 2000 posted 01-13-2005 11:47 AM                        I have worked at: an 8-screen in Mankato, MN - 1,408 seats (131-256) a 10-screein in Fayetteville, GA - 1,614 seats (116-278) a 14-screen in Riverdale, GA - 2,248 seats (75-285) an 8-screen in Lithonia, GA - 1,680 seats (101-316) [ 01-14-2005, 07:15 PM: Message edited by: Mike Spaeth ]  |  IP: Logged Christian Volpi Master Film Handler Posts: 349 From: Arlington, NE Registered: Apr 2004 posted 01-13-2005 11:48 AM                        The new 14-plex that I work at has approx. 2,400 seats in auditoriums ranging from 275 seats to 118 seats. Our market has a population of around 150,000 people.  |  IP: Logged Thomas Procyk Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1842 From: Royal Palm Beach, FL, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 01-13-2005 04:13 PM                     Wow. It amazes me at the number of screens vs. seats!! A 14-plex with only 2400? Must be pretty roomy (or small) in there! Every plex I have worked at or been to had at least one auditorium with more than 300 seats. 275 just doesn't sound "big" enough for your biggest screen. I should have added that the 6-screen and larger 8-screen I noted had a lot of "booker seats." For example, the largest auditorium seated 420, but only about 375 were "acceptable" seats in my opinion. The smallest auditoriums held 175 but looked like they were designed for 50. You couldn't wiggle thru the aisles without bashing your knees on every darn cupholder in the row. If people are in the seats, forget it. There's no escape. =TMP=  |  IP: Logged Christian Volpi Master Film Handler Posts: 349 From: Arlington, NE Registered: Apr 2004 posted 01-13-2005 05:31 PM                        You won't find any new theaters being built in Iowa with an auditorium of 300 or more seats. The reason being you have to have an elevator installed in EACH auditorium that has 300 or more seats for ADA reasons. Our general office is very clever with scheduling showtimes so that we never have to turn down a customer because of a sold out house. We always have duplicate pints of the ones that will do good.  |  IP: Logged Adam Martin I'm not even gonna point out the irony. Posts: 3686 From: Dallas, TX Registered: Nov 2000 posted 01-13-2005 06:05 PM                     quote: Christian Volpi You won't find any new theaters being built in Iowa with an auditorium of 300 or more seats. Not so! Jordan Creek Mall 20, West Des Moines IA. Opened July, 2004:  |  IP: Logged John Hegel Expert Film Handler Posts: 166 From: Lake Mills, Iowa Registered: Sep 2000 posted 01-13-2005 07:57 PM                        Wow... I hope no one ever has to go to the restroom during a show in that auditorium.  |  IP: Logged Sam Graham AKA: "The Evil Sam Graham". Wackiness ensues. Posts: 1431 From: Waukee, IA Registered: Dec 2004 posted 01-13-2005 11:13 PM                        I never took the time to count, but I think the newspaper reported the biggest auditoriums at the Century (Adam's photo) to be 500 seats. There's two of them in the building. I've seen one elevator that I assume is accessable from that exit in the upper right corner. I would also assume that hallway goes to the other big room, which is next door to the right (viewing the picture). Not only is market size a determination in average seats per auditorium, but each exhibitor's design habits play a role as well. You have some exhibitors that will not build a room fewer than, say, 120-150 seats, but others that will build auditoriums with fewer than 60.  |  IP: Logged Tim Reed Better Projection Pays Posts: 5246 From: Northampton, PA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 01-14-2005 10:22 AM                       SAM!!!! Welcome to Film-Tech, bro!  |  IP: Logged Justin West Master Film Handler Posts: 271 From: Peoria, IL, USA Registered: Jul 2001 posted 01-14-2005 11:38 AM                     Oh my, Sam...I see something OMINOUS in your photo!!! NO, not YOU, that marquee behind you completely devoid of any movies being posted!!! Another closed multiplex? Welcome aboard!  |  IP: Logged Ron Yost Master Film Handler Posts: 344 From: Paso Robles, CA Registered: Aug 2003 posted 01-14-2005 12:00 PM                     Doesn't that auditorium have an excess of surround speakers (if there is such a thing)?? Good coverage I suppose, but are that many necessary to cover that room?? I guess too many is better than too few. ?? Ron Yost  |  IP: Logged Andrew McCrea Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 645 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Nov 2000 posted 01-14-2005 12:13 PM                        I've noticed in Winnipeg that the average number of seats per auditorium in a multiplex is 250-285, with one being a 10-plex, one being an 8-plex and one being a 14-plex. Winnipeg's population is about 650,000 people.  |  IP: Logged

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