Theaters have to pay a nut to the studio doing the distribution. They negotiate how much of a nut based on the perceived popularity of the title. The studios do

Theaters have to pay a nut to the studio doing the distribution. They negotiate how much of a nut based on the perceived popularity of the title. The studios don't give a hoot about per ticket price, they just want XX dollars for a specific time period. The theater can charge $1 or $20 per ticket, they're still paying the studio the nut at then end of the day.