Cinemas strike back, with apps

Not very long ago, a ticket to the neighborhood cinema in Beijing used to be about 70 yuan ($11) or more. Recently when I checked, it dropped to 26 yuan, same as that of a hamburger.

I bought the ticket using the cinema chain's app. I even registered on it and became a member. On third-party ticketing websites and apps, however, tickets for the same screening were selling for about 100 yuan each.

Of late, China's cinema chains, including Wanda, Bona and Lumiere Pavilions, have all launched apps, websites and WeChat accounts for tickets and membership. They offer more affordable tickets, more convenience and more benefits.