NEW YORK -- The average movie ticket has hit a record high of $8.70.
The National Association of Theatre Owners said Tuesday that was the average ticket price in the fourth quarter of 2015. It's up 40 cents, or almost 5 percent, from the same period the year prior. Over the full year of 2015, the average ticket cost $8.43.
The averages cover theaters across the country and showings at all times of day.
Propelling ticket prices higher have been various large-format screenings and premium seating options, which pull in moviegoers for blockbusters like "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and "Jurassic World."
Last year, box office revenue hit a record $11.1 billion.
