Open Brainstorms

Each seat has its own screen (as on idea 3). You start to see a film and if you don't like it you can cancel that viewing and watch another film. This would create a constant flow of customers and there would never be money lost due to empty seats.

Allow the audience to vote on what film they see: show two minute clips of ten different films and the audience vote to decide which they see in its entirety.

Here's an idea I've had for a few years; I'm extremely surprised this idea hasn't been effected in some way: In the UK there are many northern football clubs that have a big following in London. These northern clubs (such as Liverpool FC) could start a cinema in London where London fans can go to watch live games of their favourite team. This idea could be combined with a normal cinema and normal movies could be shown when the team isn't playing.

There are premieres for movies (in the UK these are usually in London). I would like to see an occasion when there are about 100 premieres of a movie: these would be shown at selected cinemas around the country and these screenings would be occur at the same time as the actual premiere. This would make movie goers feel "exclusive" and that they're seeing the movie for the first time along with the movie's stars.

A keypad on every chair in the cinema allows each viewer to give a mark out of ten at the end of the movie. Figures compiled can be used to further publicise the movie. The keypad could also be used in the movie so that the audience has a "vote if you would like an intermission/snack break" option.

A cinema where you lie on the floor and the movie is projected onto the ceiling.

How do you know that you will find a comedy funny? Here's a possible solution: 1) The cinema (perhaps by using some device) monitors an audience watching a comedy (perhaps at a preview or at the premiere) and makes a note of the points where the audience either laughs loudest, or laughs longest. 2) The ten funniest points calculated by step 1 are compiled and used to make a YouTube video (assuming these will not spoil the plot). Thus comedy fans can quickly find films to their taste.

Buy a ticket for a popular movie and the ticket allows you to see a less popular movie at a discount. Or maybe an offer like "Pay for two movies, see three".

I went to see Harry Potter on the first week of release and many of the seats were empty. Cinemas, on seeing that many spare seats are available, could email subscribers (perhaps an hour before the movie) and offer them seats at a discount. People would have to subscribe to this service, but many (and I know I would) would welcome cheaper seats and the surprise of a unexpected visit to the cinema.

Take some popular children's movies to schools and show them at the school after school hours. A film like Harry Potter would surely achieve a full house? Profits could be split between the movie company and the school.

Offer coffee during the movie

Allow people to meet and discuss the movies after the films through a facilitated experience

Make the movies secondary...be in the event business and movies are a part of it.

Exclusive retail store (just for those that just purchased a ticket) selling cinema collectibles and actor autographs/memorabilia as well as books (actor biographies/filmographies) and even DVDs. Organize the store display by current screening and upcoming premiers. With studios increasing revenues by branching out in many areas such as merchandising (think Pixar's 'Toy Story' and 'Shrek' and of course Lucas Film's Star Wars), they would love this new revenue source. Mementos for romantic dates!

Making the cinematic experience more realistic by adding sensations, either through the chairs or through smells- a matrix kind of experience

Good movies! :)

sneak preview parties

meet the star

Invite people to watch huge sporting events at movie theatres, charge admission

create a chic, upper-class movie theatre where everyone dresses glam, walks down a red carpet and hob-knobs with friends at the theatre bar afterwards

Look at Joost -- it allows watching videos and movies with friends sitting on their computers... this could replicate the movie going experience at home.

A business that makes the movie tickets free by supporting the cinema hall via advertising or direct response sales.

All-you-can-eat food court pass included with movie tickets.

Optional Back rubs while watching movies in theatres.

Create "booths" in movie theatres that have a couch for 2 to 4 people and are separated from their neighboring seats by just 6 inches.

Virtual screens at every seat. Instead of everyone looking at the same screen, provide private screens, so you can get up to go to the bathroom, eat, talk, etc. and restart the movie (just like at home).

Bring-your own food night

Money-back movie tickets (if you didn't like the movie)