Going to the movies is a great form of entertainment for many but the cost can add up. There are some ways to save money when going to the movies.
If it fits into you schedule you can save at least few dollars per ticket by going to a matinee instead of evening show. Many theaters may also have matinee rates for shows around 4:00 -5:00 so you may still make it without having to take time off of work.
Some theaters also offer special prices on a certain days of the week and on these days they may also offer lower concession prices. There are also children’s movies with reduced prices on some weekends, especially in the winter for something to do.
If you normally go to see several movies a month, check your theater to see if they offer a discount card. Some theatres offer unlimited movies for about $25-$30 a month. One stipulation of these deals is that you pay for a whole year at one time.
In some areas, there may be theaters that run movies that are somewhat older for a lower price than first run theaters.
Sign up for the movie club at your local theater. You may receive discount coupons and notices of specials and special events.
Some theaters offer a better price if you purchase in bulk, you may be able to purchase a certain number of tickets for a lower price than they normally cost. Costco sells 4-packs of tickets for Regal, AMC and Cinemark theaters for $34.99 for four tickets. Also, if you belong to daily deal sites such as Groupon and Living Social you may be able to find movie ticket deals on occasion.
The concessions are a large part of going to the movies. To save on the concession costs consider sharing items instead of everyone getting your own. Many of the items such as popcorn and soda are larger than one person needs. Some theaters offer one free refill of the large pop and soda per visit.
Become a mystery shopper or consultant. Some companies such as Market Force Information, Inc reimburse you for up to two tickets and certain concessions for completing an evaluation. In most cases if you are assigned to complete an evaluation, you submit a report about the service of employees, cleanliness and other items and get reimbursed for most of the cost of the movie.
There are some ways to enjoy going to the movies without it costing so much.