Summer means movies, but don’t get stuck paying $12 per ticket or $7 for a bag of popcorn. Instead, check out these nine ways to slash your movie budget without missing any summer blockbusters.
Safeway’s “Flicks for Free” promotion offers two free movie passes to shoppers who buy $40 worth of products from participating brands such as Coca-Cola and General Mills in one transaction.
Perfect for that rowdy Soda & Cereal party you’ve been planning!
AMC MovieWatcher Rewards offers coupons for a free small popcorn each week, plus two points per ticket purchased. After you’ve earned 30, you’ll get a free ticket. The Regal Crown Club awards one point per $1 spent. Rack up 120 points and redeem them for a free ticket.
9 Ways to Save on Movie Tickets [Smart Money]
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At our local big chain theater, they’ve got a couple fast food joints (burger king, pizza hut, sometimes taco bell depending on the location) – and the food is the same price as the fast food chains normally are. Of course the drinks are $9 apiece. It’s amusing to see a Whopper for $3, and a whopper combo for $12.
Sometimes there is no substitute for going to see the movie in a cinema, but on the other hand, when my dad would take my family out (Dad, mom, me, older brother, little sister) it’d be $50 for the tickets, another $50 for snacks, and that was after $75 for dinner somewhere. My wife and I only usually go when we’ve got a two for one coupon, and occasionally it we will have two free tickets, and two drinks and large popcorn from air miles to use. And until I get a new tv, the 27″ tube I have that hums loudly sometimes is no substitute.
@battra92: AMC & TCM on cable are great for classic films. There are also lots of them on archive.org. I am always surprised how much time we spend watching those two channels. Look for a local film society. We have one that shows classic, foreign and indie films a couple of times a year at one of the local colleges that has a film ready theater. I am more willing to go to those, the number of bad behavior theater goers is extremely low. Most people too stupid to leave their baby home or that yak on their cell phone have no interest is obscure films.
If you subscribe to cablevision’s tripleplay package, you can sign up for their entertainment card. With this card you can get 2 free tickets to any movie any showing on tuesdays at the Clearview Cinemas chain. Other days are only $6 per ticket. That’s a $24 a week value each week here in NYC.
Kerasotes has a $5 movie club. After the movie has been out for 2 weeks it becomes a $5 movie, which in my personal opinion is a great deal.
Sure I have to wait 2 weeks to see a new movie, but it is also less crowded.
@LucyInTheSky:
OR to save even more money… buy a bag of kernels and pop it in a saucepan on the stove. It’s quicker, healther and SO DAMN cheap.
To those that hate players taking a cut of the massive revenues that sports generate: you’re okay with the owners sucking hundreds of millions per year by jacking the rates up so that tickets are unaffordable by families. But you’re okay with that; in fact, you think they should keep it. In spite of it being the only legal monopoly in the US.
Yet the players, who are, after all the people that make the sports worth watching, shouldn’t be able to offer their services to the highest bidder? I mean, it’s the OWNERS that bid up the salaries. The players don’t have a gun to their head. And it’s far from the case that owners would return money to the fans if their expenses dropped. Far from it.
So why shouldn’t athletes be able to get market rate for their services?
(Same with actors vs studios, but the sports case seems worse since it’s a protected monopoly)
@Trai_Dep: How is a sports league a monopoly?
@prmononoke: where do you live? our theaters are crap. i don’t really live in a run down area, but seriously, the popcorn is disgusting and usually cold, the floors are sticky, and the seats are deplorable. maybe it’s just me. i don’t know.
also, a personal peeve i have with the movies is the fact that no matter what, no matter where i sit in the theater, i always come out with a splitting headache.
i really have to want to see a movie NOW to go to an actual movie theater.
@Lambasted: Gotta agree with you. However, I’m noticing a disturbing trend of commercials/crappy previews on DVD’s. I frantically press the Menu button on the DVD player to no avail. The best I can do is fast-forward.
I have a really hard time believing the entertainment/movie industry is in dire straits, requiring commercials before the previews, with the outrageous salaries and budgets spent for crappy movies. Most flicks are a retread (or “Hollywood Out Of Ideas”, as sister site Defamer calls it). Most previews I see are for what I call “Must Miss” movies.
I thought the latest Indiana Jones movie was “meh”, and I recently rented Cloverfield and watched it with a friend, enjoying it much more than when I saw it in the theater trying to suppress my gorge rising due to the jumpy camera.
Ah, the Galaxy Drive Inn near Ennis, TX. It’s a bit of a drive, but the price is great – and you get a double-feature! The food is reasonably priced compared to any other theater, and it does help support the theater. The kids love it. And there is the dollar theater near me. On Tuesdays, it’s only 50 cents! Fri/Sat nights are really crowded, though.
@nybiker: geez, you’re really going to blame the post-production sound engineers for not EQing for every specific theater’s crappy speakers? I’m sure it sounded fine in the final mix on their systems.
Like paying for cable, I’m not going to act holier than thou for abstaining from most movies. I just have little to no desire in most cases. I think the last movie I saw in a theater was “Sunshine” about a year ago. It was in one of the few tolerable NY theaters (plus it was screened in their GIANT sub-ground level room). Even then though you still stress about getting there in time to grab a good seat.
So, theaters are bitching about concessions being their main source of income? How about opening more “adult only” screenings in which I can buy beer and wine (not to mention palatable appetizers)? This kills two birds; 1. obviously I get to drink booze, and 2. NO KIDS!
@donkeyjote: The major leagues are the only business that the Supreme Court has ruled it being okay that it’s a monopoly.
[en.wikipedia.org]
It sucks to live elsewhere. I go to a movie theater that’s decent looking, but not in the popular ‘burbs. Their tickets from 4-6PM every day are $4.25. They used to be $3.50. These are first run movies. That includes opening days/weekends. A friend of mine who never uses purses recently was telling me she keeps a large purse in her trunk for when she decides to go to the movies. She stops by Target first, buys a normal sized soda and container of popcorn, places them in the big purse, and goes in to watch movies at the $1 cinema. Movie, popcorn, and a soda for less than $5.
@DashTheHand: If I want to see soemthing that for some reason insane parents think they should take kids to, such as “Iron Man,” at 10PM on weeknight I go to the Alamo Drafthouse. It’s more expensive, but the silence is absolutely worth it.
Their policy:
Q: What is the age policy and can you explain it?
A: The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is an 18- and up establishment. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. No children under 6 years of age are allowed except for Baby Day or “All Ages, with parent” designated shows. The Alamo Drafthouse caters to an adult clientele and strives to offer an entertaining and mature environment.
Alamo Drafthouse FTW!!!
I paid the equivalent of $3 to see Ironman a few weeks ago at a really nice theatre in Mexico City (at a shopping centre on Reforma- maybe called Reforma 222 or something?). We’re talking big, comfortable, reclining (!) chairs with cushy armrests. There were four other people in the theatre for the matinee. Last night I went to Sex and the City in Guadalajara (opening weekend here). Again, huge, comfortable chairs with cushy armrests (they didn’t recline though). It cost the equivalent of about $4.75 for the evening show on Saturday night. You could also bring in outside food and drinks. My little brother worked at a movie theatre in Canada all through high school and it definitely didn’t sound like the theatre was rolling in cash, staff were paid minimum wage and the facilities aren’t half as nice as they are in Mexico (even at new Canadian cinemas)… so where is all the money from my $10 ticket and $5 popcorn going?
We have a local theater that charges $3.00 for second run movies. Sure, it’s second run but it’s also $3.00. Plus you can buy actual meals (most meals around $5) that are delivered to you shortly after the movie starts, you can buy beer and wine (around $3 a glass), and no one under 21 allowed after 6pm or sometime around there.
@Devidence: Sorry guys, watching movies at home is a sad excuse for a theater.
You obviously don’t have the right equipment.
Get a LCD HDTV for around $1k. Most people get a bigger screen than is needed for your room,. so don’t overbuy – anything over 42″ and you might want to check your room size again.
Get a decent (not great) home theater in a box for $300 or so. Use you existing stereo speakers as you main left and right. Toss out the passive subwoofer that came with the cheap home theater system and get a powered one for $100 or so.
Voila, a great cinema experience and well under under $1,500.
I owned / managed a one screen movie theatre in the 80s and late 90s. I rarely go to theaters to see a movie anymore.
A few people mentioned that theaters make their profit on concessions. That is indeed true.
The movie studios take a large percentage of the ticket price. If we showed a first run movie, we would have to put up a guarantee (if we didn’t make that much money in ticket sales, too bad for us the studio kept it) and their take of the box office receipts was usually 70%. I imagine it probably works pretty much the same way today.
I was also the projectionist, so I could look out over the auditorium and watch all the cheapskates taking their hidden food and drinks out of purses, pockets, etc. This would mainly happen on family night when the ticket price was a whopping 3 dollars and the place was packed. BTW, a 170 oz large popcorn was $3.50 at that time.
I know times have changed and things have gotten ridiculously expensive, but people have always bitched about ticket and concession prices and they probably always will.
I spent some money and had a home theater system installed, that’s always an option.
The big theater chains, which have disproportionate power, need to think about more options when it comes to concessions if they need to make their money that way. I’m tired of flat $5 Diet Cokes and overly salted fake tasting old popcorn for $7. I wouldn’t mind paying a small premium for better treats. This is one area in which newspapers could make a difference by celebrating good concessions in the same way they do restaurants (concessions affect far more people). The reason that will never happen is because newspapers, hurting more than theaters, depend on those big chain movie adverts and in no way would risk alienating theater and chain owners. Too bad. Under the circumstances, I say–regretfully–smuggle in what you can, unless you’re lucky enough to patronize an indie-art house with good cookies, Newman’s popcorn, etc.
@BaysideWrestling: Most people get a bigger screen than is needed for your room
Damn straight. I’m looking at 80″ myself for viewing distance that’s 140″ away.
OK, so I’m getting a projector. Not quite the same. But if you want that “movie theatre” feel, you need a projector. There are many decent ones now that can be had for around $1000. Check ProjectorCentral’s popular projectors for good ones. I’m leaning towards the Panasonic PT-AX200U.
@Edward Lionheart: What? You want real butter on your popcorn? What fun is that?
I’ve just stopped going to the theater. Not because it’s too expensive but because there’s nothing I want to see.
Almost every movie that comes out in major theaters looks like crap to me and I would much rather just watch a classic movie that I’ve never seen.
Then of course there’s the independent movies that I wouldn’t mind seeing in the theater, because they actually look good, but in NYC they’re $12-15 a ticket and are often at non-chain theaters where one can’t get these discounts.
When I think about going to the movies I usually just look at the listings, realize it’s all crap, and then either watch a DVD (what did I spend all that money on DVDs if I’m never going to watch them) or I go do something else (play pool, go to a bar, etc like someone said earlier.
@audiochick:
The reason the AMC near you is cool with you bringing outside food
is, AMC theaters has a corporate policy that they’re not supposed to
stop you from bringing outside food it. However, it’s not an
advertised or announced policy. I worked at an AMC theater for seven
years, and we were made to take down a sign our manager posted that
said “no outside food” when corporate came through for an inspection.
I’d also add: Be a stickler for quality. Your experience in a cinema should involve perfect visual and audio, and reasonable “neighbors”–every time. If the soundtrack is off, or there’s a video issue, or if someone seriously disrupts your enjoyment, insist on getting your money back (or passes to come back after they’ve addressed the problem).
The Kerasotes chain of theatres has a Five Buck Club, where you sign up, get a membership card (for free), and that gets you in to pretty much any movie showing there after its initial two week run. Probably the cheapest deal we’ve found for movies.
1) No free shows around here…except for on Fridays for business people thanks to the company that does the cinema advertising
2) These are actually really popular around here… as much as the assistant managers and managers despise them during deposit.
3) No drive-ins around here.
4) QFT. The national chains are expensive and crappy. All of the local theaters are independently owned (and are first run along with second) and the owners are around extremely often.
5) Again, very popular around here; provided the software ever works right. Probably about a third of the general public have the cards and we advertise them before the movie starts.
6) Unless you make arrangements with the owners, tickets are the same price; no matter how many you buy.
7) Around here, Friday and Saturday night tickets are the same price as every other night.
8) No fees for online tickets around here as of over a year ago.
9) Just don’t let anyone SEE it if you’re sneaking stuff in. Mind, the owners have eagle eyes. But seriously, I will be one of the first to admit that concession prices are outrageous, but when Hollywood steals 85%+ of the ticket revenue, all of the employees have to be paid with SOMETHING! Now, for all of the people who are bringing up diabetics and other such: If there is a special situation like that, just explain it and you’re good.
@TacoJohn and others who encourage theater hopping: Cheap asses; welcome to the real world, where you HAVE to take risks if you want to get somewhere. If you don’t like the movie, LEAVE! As in the premises; not just that movie.
Independent theaters are the way to go. For all of the people who supported big chains until they drove all of the small owners in their area out of business: TOUGH LUCK!
@nybiker: Feel you on no. 2, Ashton Kutcher.
[www.amazon.com]
AMC anytime certificates for $7.50 per ticket on Amazon.
Cost for a ticket 5 years ago when I worked at a theater: $8.25
Cost for a MATINEE two days ago: $7.75
Looks like its wait-for-DVD time from now on.
#9 – just don’t shovel junk food into your face for 90 minutes – save money and pounds.
@visualbowler: Yup, that’s the only reason I’m a member. I don’t go to the AMC often enough for the points to be worth it and the free popcorns are only on the days when I work late.
At a restaurant next to our local theater, they have a deal where if you buy your tickets from them along with your meal, it’s $2 off. You have to pay with cash, but it’s a very nice savings.
I’m with HappyHiker. In the summer, I take 1/2 day and hit the Regal Theatre in New Rochelle. Free Popcorn Tuesdays, matinee pricing and I get points on my Regal Club Card! It’s the best bet.
Also, having a large purse for water and other goodies helps too.
BTW, I’ve signed up for rewards cards at AMC, Clearview and the City Center. It definately pays off. I have 2 free tickets I have to use by next week! (I have been really busy!)
After moving across the country I miss the small theater back home. If you live near Joliet, IL and don’t yet know about it, the Super Saver Cinema at Louis Joliet Mall shows nearly new movies at $2.50 a ticket. The movies they show are usually 6-8 weeks out, but it is worth the wait for some of the lesser blockbusters. It is also a great chance to catch the summer blockbusters for a second or third time around.
Go during the matinée showings? It’s like $4.50 vs $8.50 here.
another way to save money on a trip to the theater is to bring your own food in, a friend of mine use to work for AMC theaters and while they won’t tell you, you can bring in your own food as long as it fits a few conditions.
1. non alcoholic
2. not in glass container
3. not “loud” (crunchy chips, etc.)
4. no strong odor (no pizza!)
Easy–go to the $1 theatre that gets all of the movies a month or two later. Same thing, just as good.
1.: Um, do you people not work? Are you independently wealthy? If so you don’t really need to save money then do you.
4.: And the theaters 500% dirtier and noisier.
5.: That’s great, except you can’t use Regal Crown Club on online or machine-bought tickets.
7.: Great for family movies, not so great for grown-up movies, unless you can find a babysitter who wants to work on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
9.: Make sure someone has a big jacket (in the summer!) or purse to smuggle your outside food in against the theater’s policies.
Here are a couple:
1. Some theaters have first-showing deals that are significantly cheaper. I think my local theater has a deal where all showings before noon on the weekend are, like, $4 or something.
2. Bring your own food. Most theaters won’t allow you to bring in a drink or anything that could be bought at the theater, but as long as it’s something else, they’re cool with it. I’ve brought in pizza, Chinese food, Cinnabon, Jamba Juice, and loads of other stuff.
My favorite is “make it a double-feature”, thank god for these 20 screen theaters! Am I right fellahs?!
Saw Zohan and Kung Fu at a Saturday Matinee price, even better, buy your popcorn, walk through the ticket checker (because they are usually between the food and theaters now) while other people are getting their tickets checked. (Haven’t tried that, I always have a ticket, but I’ve rarely gotten checked when going to the screen holding a popcorn/soda)
i’m dishonest.
I stopped going to cinema years ago. Has saved me at least 100$/month, which adds UP!
only go to good movies. That means watching previews for free over the internet multiple times and reading reviews to get a good idea. It also means being discerning and not going to every dumb movie.
learn to appreciate old movies. Theres a lot of good ones you can rent. or buy for 5 dollars.
or, my advice: only go if you have a date. That way you might get a little play, so even if you spent money for a bad movie, its not a total loss. And yes, it is possible (note “possible” not “required” or even “highly reccommended”) to go dutch on a date, its 2008 not 1965.
10. Date a movie theatre manager. I’ve paid for one movie in the last year,everything else has been free, including snacks. Saved at least a few hundred dollars.
Those AMC tickets for free popcorn/soda have expiration dates but never really expire. I used one from 2007 two weekends ago.