Editor’s Be aware: This story initially appeared on The Penny Hoarder.
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, people, 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 all the time 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 shall be cheaper whereas the very best seats within the center will value extra.
If you happen to ask us, it’s simply one other method for them to gouge you.
Happily, we’ve bought 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 worth, 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 worth for something that begins after 3 p.m.
2. Go to Pre-Matinees
Some theaters supply a fair higher deal for actually early motion pictures — “pre-matinees.”
That time period usually applies 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 most important chain within the U.S. has Low cost Tuesdays in the event you’re a member of its loyalty membership, which is known as AMC Stubs. You’ll be able to be part of free of charge, though there’s additionally a premium possibility you may pay for if you need. As for Low cost Tuesdays, the ticket worth 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 almost all Regal theaters cost both $5 or $5.95 for film tickets on Tuesdays.
Cinemark: This theater chain has Low cost Tuesdays in the event 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 worth on Tuesdays varies by location.
4. Purchase at Your Warehouse Membership — in Particular person or On-line
Severely, you need to make full use of these warehouse membership memberships! If you happen to 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 form of a crapshoot, clearly. However you may all the time hop on Groupon to see what sort of film ticket offers are occurring there. We see offers for AMC, Regal and Cinemark theaters there, on and off.
The web site LivingSocial is one other choice to verify right here. You will get paid to look at motion pictures and TV exhibits. Severely.
6. Eat Earlier than You Go
As of late, a number of film theaters go properly past popcorn, Sno-Caps and Raisinets. If you happen to’re hungry, you’ll be tremendous tempted by the recent canine, nachos, cheese fries, rooster tenders, pizza …
And so they’re all method overpriced, in fact.
You’d be higher off consuming in a restaurant beforehand.
Save much more cash by consuming at house earlier than you go.
7. Share the Snacks
Theaters don’t need you to carry your individual meals.
However we haven’t seen them cease mother and father who carry 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 individual. Share different snacks to save cash.
8. Get Particular Reductions
You may qualify for particular reductions — and you can save as much as 35%. Listed below 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 Increase for reductions of as much as 25%.
Use them for matinees, and your whole value may be 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 identify 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 may be part of to save cash. Listed below 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 30 days and allows you to reserve theater tickets on-line free of charge. You may as well upsize your popcorn and fountain drinks. Doesn’t sound like an awesome deal.
- A-Checklist helps you to see three motion pictures every week for $20 a month. That’s plenty of 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
Examine DriveInMovie.com or DriveInTheater.com to see if one of many few surviving drive-in theaters is close to you.
Name or verify on-line to see if they’ve low cost days or a price-per-car evening when you may carry the entire household or cut up the fee with mates.
13. Go to Advance Screenings for Free
Film firms typically supply free tickets to the general public for advance screenings. If you happen to get one, go early — film screenings typically get overbooked.
Listed below are a number of locations you may verify to see if something is on the market close to you:
14. Purchase in Bulk for a Low cost
At BulkTix.com, save as much as $5 per ticket for some theaters in the event 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 supply low-cost tickets for late-night exhibits — typically at matinee costs.
Showings usually begin round midnight. If you happen to’re an evening owl, this may be an effective way to keep away from the crowds and save a couple of bucks.
16. Sit within the Entrance Row at AMC Theatres
If you happen to’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 shall be priced:
Essentially the most fascinating seats in the course of the theater shall be priced at a “slight premium” in contrast with the common theater seats, which is able to stay the most typical alternative, AMC says.
These common seats will proceed to value the present worth. Seats within the entrance row are “worth seating” and can value lower than the everyday seat.
It’s as much as you, however you may wish to keep away from neck pressure and persist with the common seating. You’ll be able to all the time save a couple of bucks by not shopping for these Raisinets.
