A man is suing his local theatre for overcharging on drinks, candy and popcorn.

Justin Thompson from Michigan has filed a class action against AMC Theaters, the second largest theatre chain in the US, alleging that the snacks at the counter were overpriced and that it amounted to price gouging.

The Detroit Free Press quotes Thompson's lawyer as saying "He got tired of being taken advantage of. It's hard to justify prices that are three- and four-times higher than anywhere else."

A film buff, Thompson used to bring his own food and drinks to the movies until one day he found a sign announcing that eatables from outside had been banned.

It was then that the technician decided he'd had enough and it was time to teach the theatre company a lesson.

He filed a class action in Wayne Country Circuit Court, in the hope that it would force his local theatres as well as others to lower their snack prices.

An AMC spokesperson told the Times the company could not comment on pending litigation.