Hidden Fees Come to Light: Regal Cinemas Caught in Class Action Over Deceptive Online Pricing
Regal Cinemas has agreed to a $2.5 million class action settlement over claims that it failed to clearly disclose online booking fees to customers purchasing movie tickets in New York. The lawsuit, led by plaintiff Tim Jones, highlights an ongoing issue in consumer transactions: hidden costs that only appear at the final step of checkout.
This case wasn’t just about a $1.80 fee — it was about transparency, fairness, and legal responsibility. And now, eligible customers who filed claims by April 21, 2025, could be getting a payout ranging from $5 to $25 per ticket.
Table of Contents
What Sparked the Lawsuit?
A Booking Fee That Wasn’t Obvious Until the End
Tim Jones, a New York State resident, filed a class action lawsuit after purchasing electronic tickets from Regal Cinemas’ official website. During the purchase process, he noticed the site only showed the base ticket price until the very last stage of checkout, where a $1.80 booking fee appeared.
Jones alleged this practice was misleading and a clear violation of New York’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Law (§ 25.07(4)), which prohibits entertainment businesses from increasing ticket prices during the purchase process or hiding parts of the cost until the transaction is nearly complete.
What the Law Says: A Clear Violation of ACAL
The Arts and Cultural Affairs Law (ACAL) of New York mandates that consumers must be told the full cost of admission upfront. That includes all charges — ticket price, taxes, and any fees — before the consumer agrees to the purchase. By only revealing the booking fee at the end of the checkout, the lawsuit claimed Regal Cinemas deceived customers, creating an unfair transaction.
Who Qualifies for a Payout?
Eligibility Requirements for Class Members
If you bought electronic tickets for a movie at Regal Cinemas in New York and were hit with a booking fee, you may be part of the class action. To qualify, these conditions had to be met:
- Purchase Type: Electronic ticket purchase for a movie at a Regal theater
- Method: Through Regal’s official website using the guest checkout
- Location: Movie theater located in New York State
- Date Range: Ticket bought between July 31, 2023, and July 15, 2024
- Fee Applied: A booking fee was charged during checkout
Claims had to be submitted on or before April 21, 2025 to be considered for compensation.
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What Kind of Payout Can You Expect?
Settlement Amounts and Distribution
Regal Cinemas has not admitted to any wrongdoing, but the company has agreed to fund a $2.5 million settlement. The final amount each person receives will depend on how many valid claims were filed and how much they paid in booking fees.
Payouts are expected to range between $5 and $25 per eligible ticket purchased. It’s important to note that this range is an estimate — the final per-claim amount could vary based on the number of claimants.
Legal Milestones in the Case
- Lawsuit Filed By: Tim Jones in the Southern District of New York
- Defendant: Regal Cinemas
- Law Allegedly Violated: New York Arts and Cultural Affairs Law
- Final Hearing: Took place on March 5, 2025
- Deadline to Object or Exclude: February 14, 2025
- Claim Submission Deadline: April 21, 2025
Now that the deadlines have passed, the claims administrator will begin processing valid claims and disbursing settlement payments in the coming months.
Why Class Action Lawsuits Matter
A Win for Consumers and a Warning for Businesses
This lawsuit reinforces the power of class actions as a tool for consumer justice. When individual damages are small — like a $1.80 booking fee — it’s often not worth suing alone. But together, class members can challenge even large corporations and push for change.
Class action lawsuits not only result in financial compensation but also help hold companies accountable. In this case, Regal Cinemas will now be required to disclose all ticket-related fees upfront, improving transparency for future customers.
Final Thoughts: A Quiet Victory With a Loud Message
Regal Cinemas might not be shouting it from the rooftops, but the $2.5 million settlement sends a clear message: hidden fees won’t go unnoticed — and they won’t go unchallenged. For consumers who filed in time, the next step is simple: wait for your payout and watch for email updates.
For businesses, the takeaway is even more critical — transparency isn’t optional. It’s the law.
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