Going To The Movies Is No Longer Cheap Entertainment
My wife and I are self-proclaimed movie buffs, we just love going to the movies. From the latest Indiana Jones movie, to the courtroom dramas and tear-jerker “chic-flicks”, we usually end up going to the theater a few times a month.
Going to the theater is becoming a pricier proposition every year, with movie ticket prices in our area topping out at $10 per person recently. For a family of 4 or 5 you could easily spend over a $100 for a night at the movies!
So via SmartMoney.com and some other sources here are some ways that you can save some money at the cinema this summer.
10 Ways To Save Money Going To The Movies
- Bring your own treats: With popcorn prices going through the roof, and the prices of candy at the concessions being so high, bring your own refreshments. Not all theaters will allow this, but call beforehand, and many will allow you to bring your own goodies.
- Seek out family freebies: In the summertime many theater chains offer days where parents can bring their kids for free movie days. For example, Regal Cinemas offers a “free family film festival” every Tuesday and Wednesday through August.
- Use coupons and freebie movie ticket deals: Use coupons from your local “Entertainment Book” to find reduced rates on tickets, or you can often find deals at your local grocery to get free movie tickets when you buy certain products. Keep your eyes peeled for the deals.
- Go to the movies at a second-run theater: This is by far our biggest money saver. My wife and I go to most movies we see at an independently owned second-run theater. The movies come out a couple of months later than at the normal theater, but the ticket prices are $8 cheaper – $2 instead of $10. Wait a month or two and see the movie at your local cheap theater.
- Buy ticket packages through the theater chain: If you still want to see movies when they first come out, try buying packages of tickets through your local AMC, Regal or other movie chain. Often you can save $2-$3 per ticket by buying them in blocks ahead of time. The catch is that often you can’t use the tickets on special engagements or opening weekends.
- Go to a matinee: Instead of seeing the movie at a peak time, Friday or Saturday night, go to an afternoon showing. The prices will often be $2-$3 cheaper, and the theater is often less crowded as well – meaning you’ll get to sit wherever you want!
- Avoid reservation sites: When you buy your tickets online a lot of the time you’ll have to pay an extra .50 to $1.50 per ticket. Buy your tickets at the theater to avoid the fees.
- Join a movie-watchers loyalty club: Many movie chains offer loyalty programs where you get free refreshments and movie tickets once you’ve accumulated enough points. If you go to the movies often, it may be worth it to join.
- Go to a drive-in movie: Go to a drive in movie with friends and see a double-feature! Not only will you get to see more movies for your dollar, but the prices are almost always cheaper to begin with! Its a fun experience to go to a drive-in and is a good value for your dollar! Also, its easier to bring your own refreshments!
- Stay at home, rent at your local RedBox: Get a movie from your local RedBox movie rental kiosk, and use a coupon for a free rental from the website InsideRedbox.com. The movie rental kiosks can be found in McDonald’s restaurants, grocery stores and other local locations.
So there are a few ways you can save on going to the movies this summer. What are your tips for saving on cinema spending?
Check out tomorrow’s summer saving series post over at PTMoney.com, or check out the archive of Money Life Network series posts and user submissions at our network site. Don’t forget to write our own post for your chance to with a $100 Amazon gift card!
Last Edited: 26th February 2011
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In my neck of the woods one of the local theaters has a Summer Kids schedule.
Each week a kid friendly movie is played in the morning. The prices are reasonable, usually $2 or $3 per person, and that even includes free popcorn.
The kids love it because they get to see a movie on the big screen, the parents love it because it won’t break the bank. On those unbearably hot days, the AC in the theater seems extra cold! Score bonus points.
thanks for the tip.. tip #2 speaks to the kid movies as well – free family movie days. Might be worth checking out in your area!