Moviegoers could soon be spending even more for their popcorn and soda in the District if Mayor Vincent Gray wins his push for a 5 percent tax on movie theater concessions as part of an effort to build the first movieplex east of the Anacostia River. Most theaters in the District are charging $11 per ticket, and concessions can easily surpass that outlay. Popcorn and soda cost about $5 each, and the city’s 6 percent sales tax already applies. Theaters also must collect an additional 10 percent tax on alcoholic beverages sold.

Matt Hagan, a D.C. resident who says he goes out to two to three movies each month, called the tax “insane.” He said he started sneaking food into movie theaters long ago and predicted Thursday that more would do the same.