A top executive of Village Roadshow has defended the price of movie tickets, with one of the country's largest cinema operators insisting cinema is still a cheap night out.

Village co-executive chairman Graham Burke said ticket prices relative to other countries reflected the high cost of Australian wages.

Graham Burke says going to the movies is still a cheap night out. Above: Jamie Foxx and Andrew Garfield in The Amazing Spider-Man. Credit:Niko Tavernise

And Mr Burke lashed out at the virus-like spread of piracy, welcoming a government commitment to clamp down on illegal downloads.

The price of movie tickets in Australia has come under scrutiny with the top price of an ordinary ticket hitting $20 in some cinemas.