Now that America’s largest movie show chain goes to start out charging ticket costs primarily based on the place your seat is situated, it’s time to consider methods it can save you cash on the motion pictures.
Severely, of us, AMC Theatres’ new pricing coverage has lots of people riled up. Only for instance, actor Elijah Wooden says it’ll penalize moviegoers who’ve decrease incomes. “The movie show is and at all times has been a sacred democratic house for all,” Frodo tweeted.
Nonetheless, by the tip of the 12 months at each AMC theater, seats within the entrance might be cheaper whereas the perfect seats within the center will value extra.
Should you ask us, it’s simply one other means for them to gouge you.
16 Methods to Save Cash on the Film Theater
Happily, we’ve acquired concepts for how one can save a buck or two on the motion pictures. Take a look at our listing of 16 methods to spend much less on the theater.
1. Go to Matinees
Going to a matinee can knock as much as 30% off the ticket value, however be careful for the theater’s definition of “matinee.”
Reveals earlier than 4 p.m. was once known as matinees at most theaters, however some now cost the night value for something that begins after 3 p.m.
2. Go to Pre-Matinees
Some theaters provide a fair higher deal for actually early motion pictures — “pre-matinees.”
These usually apply to motion pictures beginning earlier than midday.
3. Go on Tuesday!
America’s three largest movie show chains all have the identical low cost day — Tuesday. You even have to hitch their buyer loyalty membership to get the Tuesday low cost, however that’s often free.
AMC: The largest chain within the U.S. has Low cost Tuesdays when you’re a member of its loyalty membership, which is known as AMC Stubs. You possibly can be part of without spending a dime, though there’s additionally a premium possibility you’ll be able to pay for if you need. As for Low cost Tuesdays, the ticket value varies by location.
Regal Cinemas: These theaters have Regal Worth Days on Tuesdays, when Regal Crown Membership members get discounted film ticket costs and 50% off popcorn. The membership is free to hitch. A take a look at this theater-by-theater listing exhibits that the majority Regal theaters cost both $5 or $5.95 for film tickets on Tuesdays.
Cinemark: This theater chain has Low cost Tuesdays when you’re a Cinemark Film Rewards member. There’s a free possibility or a $10-per-month possibility that will get you extra perks. Once more, the ticket value on Tuesdays varies by location.
4. Purchase at Your Warehouse Membership — In Particular person or On-line
Severely, you must make full use of these warehouse membership memberships! Should you store at Sam’s Membership or Costco, ask about theater tickets on the customer support desk. They typically have them at a reduction.
Costco additionally sells theater tickets on-line at a reduction, and so does Sam’s Membership.
5. Attempt Groupon
It’s type of a crapshoot, clearly. However you’ll be able to at all times hop on Groupon to see what sort of film ticket offers are happening there. We see offers for AMC, Regal and Cinemark theaters there, on and off.
The web site LivingSocial is one other choice to test right here.
6. Eat Earlier than You Go
Today, a lot of film theaters go properly past popcorn, Sno-Caps and Raisinets. Should you’re hungry, you’ll be tremendous tempted by the recent canines, nachos, cheese fries, rooster tenders, pizza…
They usually’re all means overpriced, after all.
You’d be higher off consuming in a restaurant beforehand.
Save much more cash by consuming at dwelling earlier than you go.
7. Share the Snacks
Theaters don’t need you to deliver your personal meals.
However we haven’t seen them cease dad and mom who deliver their very own paper luggage to divvy up a big bucket of popcorn between the youngsters.
It’s less expensive than shopping for a small bag of popcorn for every particular person. Share different snacks to economize.
8. Get Particular Reductions
You may qualify for particular reductions — and you may save as much as 35%. Listed here are some examples:
9. Purchase Low cost Film Present Playing cards
There are a selection of locations the place you should purchase discounted theater present playing cards on-line. For instance, you should purchase AMC present playing cards on on-line marketplaces like Elevate for reductions of as much as 25%.
Use them for matinees, and your complete value is perhaps lower than half of what a night ticket prices.
10. Go to Low cost Theaters
These are additionally known as late-run film theaters. You’ll see the identical film, so why not wait a few months and catch it for much less?
Simply search “low cost theater” plus the title of your metropolis to find low-cost motion pictures.
11. Be a part of the Membership
Most theaters have a membership or loyalty program you’ll be able to be part of to economize. Listed here are some examples:
AMC
The biggest theater chain’s loyalty membership, AMC Stubs, has three tiers.
- Insider is free and will get you perks like Low cost Tuesdays, which might be the primary attraction right here. You additionally earn $5 again for each $50 you spend.
- Premiere appears pricy to us. It prices $15 per thirty days and allows you to reserve theater tickets on-line without spending a dime. You may also upsize your popcorn and fountain drinks. Doesn’t sound like a terrific deal.
- A-Checklist enables you to see three motion pictures per week for $20 a month. That’s numerous motion pictures.
Regal Cinemas
The Regal Crown Membership is free to hitch and will get you entry to Regal Worth Days on Tuesdays, the place you get discounted ticket costs and 50% off popcorn.
Cinemark
Cinemark has Film Fan, which is free, and Film Membership, which prices $10 a month and will get you one film a month and 20% off concessions.
12. Go to a Drive-In Theater
Verify DriveInMovie.com or DriveInTheater.com to see if one of many few remaining drive-in theaters is close to you.
Name or test on-line to see if they’ve low cost days or a price-per-car night time when you’ll be able to deliver the entire household or break up the price with associates. And take a look at our ideas for maximizing the enjoyable.
13. Go to Advance Screenings for Free
Film corporations generally provide free tickets to the general public for advance screenings. Should you get one, go early — film screenings typically get overbooked.
Listed here are a number of locations you’ll be able to test to see if something is on the market close to you:
See The Penny Hoarder’s submit on methods to get free tickets to advance film screenings for extra tips about the best way to snag these freebies.
14. Purchase in Bulk for a Low cost
At BulkTix.com, save as much as $5 per ticket for some theaters when you purchase greater than 4 at a time. At Costco, you get a reduction when shopping for 10-packs of tickets on the retailer.
15. Go to Late Reveals
Some theaters provide low-cost tickets for late-night exhibits — generally at matinee costs.
Showings usually begin round midnight. Should you’re an evening owl, this may be a good way to keep away from the crowds and save a couple of dollars.
16. Sit within the Entrance Row at AMC Theatres
Should you’re OK with sitting within the entrance row, you’re in luck! It’s probably not most moviegoers’ favourite spot, although.
By the tip of the 12 months in any respect of AMC’s film theaters, right here’s how the tickets might be priced:
Essentially the most fascinating seats in the midst of the theater might be priced at a “slight premium” in contrast with the common theater seats, which is able to stay the most typical selection, AMC says. These common seats will proceed to value the present value. Seats within the entrance row are “worth seating” and can value lower than the standard seat.
It’s as much as you, however you may wish to keep away from neck pressure and stick to the common seating. You possibly can at all times save a couple of dollars by not shopping for these Raisinets.
Mike Brassfield ([email protected]) is a senior author at The Penny Hoarder. Steve Gillman is a former contributor to The Penny Hoarder.