Don't weep for the movie biz. While still concerned about camcording and P2P piracy, the industry has been hauling in the cash at the box office. 2007, 2008, and 2009 all set new historic highs for movie theater revenue in the US and Canada, and 2010 looks poised to do even bigger business.

"Theater owners have gotten away with the biggest year-to-year increases in ticket prices ever," says Hollywood-focused publication The Wrap, "with average admission costs spiraling upward more than 40 cents in 2010, or over 5 percent."

The biggest increase in ticket prices, ever, and in the midst of the worst economic downturn in 50 years? Business execs everywhere have just one question: how do the movies manage it?

Much of the credit/blame goes to 3D, a novelty that has recently accounted for higher ticket prices. According to the MPAA's statistics, 3D revenue made up less than one percent of box office revenue in 2007; in 2009, by contrast, it accounted for 11 percent—more than a billion dollars.

Theaters generally charge more for 3D flicks, and they've done a good job of marketing a feature that can't be easily replicated at home. But, with 3D becoming increasingly common at the theater and now available with new TV sets, it's not clear those price premiums can endure. As The Wrap noted, "it's becoming increasingly evident that exhibitors are close to maxing out consumer patience."

But, for now, the business looks on track to have yet another record year.