A trip to Pandora has turned into a financial nightmare for cinema-goers. Fans flocking to see the blockbuster Avatar: Fire and Ash are walking out of the theatre not just with memories of Na'vi battles, but with hefty parking fines.

The issue has exploded at a Cineworld in Chichester, UK, but serves as a cautionary tale for global franchises. One moviegoer, Anna Tims, reported receiving a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) after watching the three-hour epic. The problem? The car park's time limit had been quietly slashed from four hours to three—barely enough to cover the movie's runtime, let alone the trailers and popcorn queue.

The 3-Hour Trap

Avatar: Fire and Ash clocks in at a massive runtime. When you add 20 minutes of "coming attractions," a standard three-hour parking slot is a mathematical impossibility. Yet, the cinema chain failed to adequately warn customers of the new restrictions imposed by the landowner. "I saw nothing telling me to register my number plate," Tims complained. "I'd watched the previous two Avatar films there without a problem."

It’s a classic case of corporate disconnect. The cinema sells you a product that requires 3.5 hours of your time, while the landlord penalizes you for staying longer than 3. The result? A £100 (approx. Sh16,000) fine for the crime of watching a movie.

• The Defence: Cineworld initially washed its hands of the matter, claiming they don't own the car park. However, after media pressure, they cancelled the specific fine for Tims. But how many others have paid up in silence?
• The Warning: This isn't isolated. As malls in Nairobi and elsewhere automate their parking systems, the "grace period" is disappearing. If you are planning to catch the new Avatar at a mall with strict parking caps, check the fine print.
• Consumer Rights: The incident highlights the need for businesses to take responsibility for the entire customer experience. If you sell a 3-hour movie, you must ensure your patrons can legally park for it.

Blockbuster Blues

James Cameron’s films are famous for their length. But as runtimes balloon, infrastructure needs to keep up. A night at the movies shouldn't end with a clamp on your wheel. For now, the advice is simple: If you're going to Pandora, take an Uber. It might be cheaper than the parking ticket.