or you could skip sitting in a dark room in uncomfortable chairs, eating crappy cold popcorn and weak soda and wait for your movies to come out on dvd and netflix em'. you get a comfy couch, cheap (and tasty) microwave popcorn, and you don't have to sit through half the movie having to pee. i see a totally win win situation here.

10. Don't go.

Gotta agree, there's only one way to save, and that is to not go. Sorry Hollywood. Usually, Seeing Everyone Never Ends Things.

I'm a big fan of the early movies. The big chain theaters around here have a discount for movies before noon on holidays/weekends. Nothing like saving $4.50 a person for an 1030 am showing, and still having your whole day to do other things.

The Matinee discount ain't what it used to be, maybe a buck for showings before 6.

I'm one of the few I think that hasn't seen Ironman. Do I think Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow need more money than I have? NO! I don't go to the theatre anymore.

My local theater sells matinee's for $2.50 and regular price at $3.50. two can go to the theater, snacks and all, for $10. They also get the big name movies the same time as the big chains do.

[mooretheatres.com]

One local theater chain (Regal) offers G and PG movies during the summer for free. Nothing first-run, of course. However, from what I understand they are clamping down on "no outside food" at these events (I think they only make exceptions for baby bottles).

We go to a movie theater maybe four times a year, and always do a matinee. We skip the popcorn. When did it become a requirement to be eating something during a movie?

#7 is a no brainer. Also, a lot of movie theaters get pissed if you bring in your own concessions. It's pretty much a question of if two wrongs make a right.

I used to work at a theater. Here's my advice.

If you have a discount or free ticket that isn't good for "new engagements," get a ticket for a show that's old but starts around the same time, then go to the other auditorium.

Bring your own candy, but purchase popcorn and drinks from the theater. It's the only way they stay in business. Or if you don't want them to stay in business, sneak in food every time.

You can buy packs of discounted tickets as Costco. Last time I went, they were right inside the front door in trays.

And I'm dry.

To avoid online service fees at AMC theaters pick up an AMC Movie Watcher Card. It's free and you won't pay the online service charge when you purchase tickets online.

Many theaters in my area have $4 and $5 tickets if you go on weekends before 12pm. Early, but the theater is empty (i.e. QUIET).

You really can't beat drive in theaters though. Most drive-ins offer double features for $6, and you can bring your own food so you aren't being gouged for snacks either.

find someone who will pay for you, e.g. date.

also, netflix. trust me you can wait till it comes out on dvd.

1) go to a matinee
2) take an extra bag to dump your popcorn in so you can get a free refill right away.
3) take your own snacks/candy bars to the movie
4) make it a 2 for 1 night - pay for 1 and see 2 (easy at most multiplexes - but that would be wrong).
5) be more selective about the movies you see - I hate walking out at the end feeling like I wasted my money.

@TacoDave: getting accosted by security: priceless.

@LucyInTheSky: Some people do like to leave their homes occasionally, even if it costs a little more.

@morganlh85:

you have to spend money when you go outside?

@LucyInTheSky: Do you live in a run down city? Here we have quite a few nice theaters. Stadium style seating, fresh popcorn, friendly staff shockingly enough, great sound. Just recently got our first IMAX Movie theater. Zoo has had one for years now but it only does Nature things.

Seeing Speed Racer in IMAX was absolutely nutty though.

@LucyInTheSky: Enjoy your butter-flavored cancer-causing chemicals.

I'll just air-pop some regular stuff, thank you very much. A teaspoon or so of real butter and a dash of salt is all it needs from there.

I get my tickets for $7 per at AAA. I've also seen packs where you can buy them in bulk at CostCo, Sams or BJs. We buy up about 10 tickets in advance and just spend them whenever we want to go. We usually don't hit a movie opening weekend so sellouts aren't a problem.

Shoot, I've so many movies to watch, I think I'll go to the library this summer. Ong Bak- Salsa Instructor here I come!

Theres some decent movies out that I want to see this summer, plus if I don't see them within a month or so of release, some assclown at my work will almost always ruin it for the people who haven't seen it by blurting out some detail or surprise or even the damn ending.

Matinees for many movies this summer are a problem because people apparently think their children (from infant to 10) should be seeing R rated movies, as well as PG-13. These idiots inevitably ruin the movie for any people sitting within 10 meters of them.

This leaves the late late late movie, which people also seem to think their children need to see, only this time the kid isn't hyperactive and bored, hes tired and whiney and bored.

Thanks.

The theaters are an amazing business. Besides the airline industry, they've done the most spectacular job of destroying their own product to the point where people dislike using their services. How wonderful is that?

Have your buddy buy a ticket and then open the emergency exit door so the whole group of you can sneak in.

@VikingP77: I don't believe they take your ticket money and send it to the two lead actors of a picture.

BitTorrent anyone?

I was floored when I went to AMC last weekend for a movie, and, when I handed the attendant my student ID, credit card, and MovieWatcher card, she told me they no longer have student prices AND that their ticket prices went up to $9.50. I was on a date or I would've taken issue. Definitely going on weekdays during the day from now on, or I'll just have to get better use out of my Netflix on the ones that are out on DVD. (Don't even ask how much concessions were.)

Sorry guys, watching movies at home is a sad excuse for a theater.

Alright, if you're really hurting on cash (students out there):

Go into a theatre that's just been let out. Find a large bag of popcorn. Dump out the contents. Bring it to the concession stand and demand your free refill. Voila. Free popcorn.

AMC also costs a lot more than showcase!

Most of the time, I'm happy enough to watch movies at home, but when it comes to the big summer blockbusters, nothing beats being in a full theater, preferably on opening weekend, surrounded by an appreciative crowd who's really into it. One of the best times I ever had at the movies was when I saw Moulin Rouge on opening night; when Christian slips and says to the Duke, "Because she doesn't love you!" Two hundred people gasped in unison. Now THAT's entertainment.

Some movies need theater (Indiana Jones, Ironman) and some need DVD (Baby Mama, What Happens in Vegas). Nothing like a seat-rattling explosion to make you glad you're in the theater. Plus there's something about the common experience that makes it different. Yes, there are good things and bad things about both.

Before anyone cries "home theater" -- some of us don't have thousands to spend on a theater.

And anyone who pays more than $6-$6.50 for a movie should really do some research.

Movie theaters are such a waste of time. The only people who go to them are dweebs who have never learned to be considerate in public. Thanks to Netflix, life is good in front of my HD TV.

Movies suck. I'd rather spend the 50+ bucks on a good dinner.

For *one* ticket, movie theaters aren't bad. The model utterly falls apart when we're talking about a small group though. A group of four will spend anywhere from $24 (for a dirt cheap matinee) to $44 (for a saturday night show). That's before you pay for the snacks.

That's the same price as a new release DVD (or two of em), which you can all watch together. Or two months worth of Netflix.

And for what? The *only* thing a movie theater offers are new releases - with an added bonus of twenty monutes of pre-feature advertising, twenty minutes of trailers, and the inevitable crying kid and person who won't shut up sitting next to you.

The "theater experience" has long since been usurped by my home theater. And an HDTV actually pays for itself relatively quickly if you're a family of four and use it in lieu of going to the movies.

One of the best things which was sort of mentioned here, but avoided was one of the best perks of joining the AMC moviewatcher club. You get the discounts and the freebies but what you also get is the ability to purchase tickets online for free without the transaction fee. You pay the same price as in the theater but you dont have to get there only to find out its sold out.

@kingzilch: Truth. There's no substitution for seeing a great film with a crowd that's into it. Comedies, especially. Tho shiny blockbusters or scary ones, too.
That's the sad thing. I LOVE film. I HATE the theaters.

To anyone that doesn't want to see an excellent film because the leads make "too much", you're leading a sad, sad life full of bitter self-recrimination heading towards quiet loneliness capped by accidental, pants-less suicide by auto-asphyxiation.
Lighten up, buttercup!

Let's play devil's advocate for a minute. You shouldn't put as a suggestion to bring your own food. That is technically not allowed because that is where the movie theaters make all their money.

/Brought in an entire pizza once.

I get discounted tickets through work. If you have access to Working Advantage or Corporate Perks the prices are good and you only have to order a minimum of 8. These are the current Corp. Perks prices.

AMC Silver (not valid in the 1st 10 days) -$6.50
AMC Gold (valid for any movie, any time)-$7.95
Regal/UA, restricted (same as AMC silver) -$6.50
Regal/UA, unrestricted -$7.45

In NYC, 2 advance purchase tickets are $27 including the surcharge, so these can be a tremendous savings.

GOD BLESS AMERIACA ...YOU WAIT "IN" LINE NOT ON LINE. When you are IN A LINE you wait IN LINE!!!! GOD DANGIT!!!!!

YOu don't "loose" a bet and you don't wait "on line" in a physical line.

Get it right.

That

/I stopped going to theatres entirely when two things happened.

1) The closest one to my house hit a $9.50 ticket price five years ago. And I relized that two movie tickets cost more than a netflix subscription.

2) My roomate moved out, took his 30" screen with him and I bought a 51" screen in its place.

I would be more inclined to go to a theater if they were not such a miserable experience. Small children in R rated movies and people talking. I also seem to have the luck of getting the tallest idiot with a giant head and a cowboy hat sitting close enough in front of my that I can't see most of the screen. Oh and add in the cell phone talkers. We have two multiplexes in town. One is a run down hell hole that hasn't been updated or cleaned since the 80's when it opened. The other is a 5 year old AMC that isn't much better. Neither have stadium seating or much in the way of sound systems.

Netflix, on demand rentals or bittorent seem to be far better options even if the movies were free.

Those of you who have an Entertainment book (I buy them just for the grocery store coupons - $35 book and I get to save $80 on the year on groceries? Pays for the cost of the book right there.) might also have coupons for the local cinema chains. My book had 12 coupons for up to two tickets each at Regal/UA for $6, rather than the almost $10 they're charging in this area. These coupons can also be used at newer movies for $7.50.

In addition, I try to hit the movies on Thursday nights, for two reasons. One, the theatres are mostly dead that night, and two, my Regal card gives me extra credit on Thursdays.

@phelander: And just for fun, alot is not a word. It's a lot, not alot.

Even though there are no offenders on this thread, currently.

And back on topic..
@wjmorris3: If you have the Entertainment Book, you can order discounted movie tickets online after you register.

@Trai_Dep: "To anyone that doesn't want to see an excellent film because the leads make "too much", you're leading a sad, sad life"

I'm curious how many of those people refuse to pay for sporting events because of the inflated salaries of athletes?

And I totally agree - there is something great about seeing a movie with and enthusiastic crowd!

morganlh85: @LucyInTheSky: Some people do like to leave their homes occasionally, even if it costs a little more.

Yes, but there are other things to do that are far more cost effective and less annoying.

My last theatre experience.

1) Buy two tickets ($9.50 each) Some popcorn ($2.50) and nachos ($3) and a drink ($3) and some candy smuggled in ($2.50)
2) Enter theatre 30 minutes early to guarantee a seat.
3) Sit through 30 minutes of commericals.
4) Ohh, now it's the start time.
5) Sit through another 30 minutes of previews, many for crappy movies.
6) The movie actually starts and I've already seen an hour of commercials. (which is a crapload for a Tivo owner)

Total movie experience for 2 people $30, plus an hour wasted being bombarded with commercials & previews.

Compare to

1) Go to a nice hole in the wall pizza joint. And have some jumbo slices ($5) and drinks ($3 for 2 drinks mind you)

2) Hit up a pool hall for an hour or two ($10), have a few drinks ($10)

3) Come home and watch a netflix movie (free I already have netflix, but if you really want to break it down $18.31 a month / ~30 days in a month / 3 (you get 3 discs out at a time) =~ 20 cents.

Grand total $28.2, no annoying commercials, plus you got a few beers and some real food in your stomach.

@TacoDave: So what you're saying is that because popcorn and soda are high margin items for theaters, we're obligated to buy them? I don't even get a tax deduction for that donation.

I live it when Northeasterners complain about high movie prices. In Kentucky, a Friday evening performance is still $8; student tickets $6.75.

And I live in Louisville, not a tobacco field. "Big" cities are overrated with the rampant inflation of today's time.

No question, having fun with your lady is so much more exciting in a theater than the sofa at home.

All AMC movies are $6 before noon, even on the weekends. Caught Indy at 10:15 at Boston Common. $12 for me and wifey. If you must go during peak hours, AAA is your best bet.