Average movie ticket price in 2015 sees biggest jump in five years

The cost of going to the movies in 2015 saw its biggest jump in five years

For the year, the average ticket price was $8.42, an increase of 26 cents, or 3 percent, from 2014 ($8.17), according to the National Association of Theater Owners.

That's after the average price hit an all-time high of $8.70 in the fourth quarter, up 40 cents, or five percent, over the same period in 2014. It's not a surprise the cost spiked, fueled by blockbusters Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the final Hunger Games movie and a bevy of year-end holiday titles.

The growth of premium seating options, as well as 3D, drive up the average.

In 2010, the average ticket price hit 7.89, up 39 cents over 2009. The year-over-year increase was much smaller in 2014 (4 cents), 2013 (17 cents) and 2012 (3 cents) and 2011 (four cents).

Overall, Hollywood and theater owners in North America celebrated a record year in 2015 as revenue hit $11.12 billion, eclipsing the previous best set in 2012 ($10.9 billion).