Here are tips on how to save at the movies:
Visit a dollar theater (also called a second showing theater). Find out if there is a discounted movie theater in your area. The movies they have are usually close to being released on video, but the kids love the experience of going to the movies.
Watch your food boxes. Both General Mills and Kellogg’s are known to release promotions on their food boxes for FREE movie tickets when you purchase a specified number of products. In the last year, my husband and I have scored 3 free movies with these deals.
Exchange points for movie tickets. Websites like MyCokeRewards.com and DisneyMovieRewards.com sometimes offer vouchers for free movie tickets or discounted concessions when you exchange the points you earned for the voucher.
Watch for store movie freebies. Sometimes grocery stores will offer you free movie tickets when you purchase specific items. Always keep your eyes peeled for these offers!
Eat before you go. To avoid snacking at the movies, eat a full meal before you head to the theater. The concession stand won’t tempt you if you aren’t hungry.
Eat after the movie. Treat yourself to dessert or frozen yogurt after the movie. It will be cheaper than the concession stand and it will motivate you to not spend any money on snacks at the movie.
Visit on discount days. Check with your local theater to see if they have a discount day. One of the theaters in our area offers cheaper tickets all day Tuesday.
Attend a matinee. Tickets to matinee movies are a few dollars cheaper than tickets to the evening showing. I don’t remember the last time we saw a movie at night.
Don’t buy your tickets online. Most websites charge a convenience fee for ordering your tickets online. Skip the internet and head to the box office instead.
Order a large popcorn. Theaters usually give free refills for large popcorns. You can all share from one bucket or split it into smaller containers. Be sure you wait until all the popcorn is gone before you head for a refill!
Purchase a popcorn bucket. Some theaters offer a plastic popcorn bucket for purchase. After your initial investment, you’ll get discounted refills for a specific length of time.
Skip the 3D showing. Most movies show in both regular and 3D versions. If you choose to see a movie in 3D, you’ll pay a hefty fee for your ticket.
Purchase tickets from Sam’s Club or Costco. Most big box stores offer a pack of movie tickets for a discounted price. If you don’t see them in your store then inquire at customer service.
Check Groupon or other daily deal sites for discounts. You can sometimes find discounted vouchers for movie tickets. Sign up for the newsletter for your hometown to keep an eye on the deals.
Participate in summer movie programs. During the summer movie theaters will host inexpensive, kid-friendly movies for drastically discounted prices. They usually discount snacks too. This is a fun way to experience the movies without breaking the bank. Check with your local theater to see if they participate.
Sign up for your movie theater’s newsletter. Visit the website for your local theater to sign up for their email newsletter. Check the newsletter for exclusive discounts, savings, and the latest movie news.
Sign up for your movie theater’s reward program. Some theaters, like Regal, offer a rewards club for frequent patrons. You can earn free popcorn and other snacks from the concession stand. Check your theater’s website to see if they offer something similar.
Take advantage of senior, military, or student discounts. Movie theaters sometimes offer discounted tickets for seniors, military, or students. Some even offer discounts at the concession stand.
Use coupons. Check your theater’s website and social media pages to see if they have any coupons available.
Check with the schools. Throughout the year schools will host fundraisers where they sell discount cards and coupon booklets. Sometimes these include your local movie theater. Find out if your area participates and be sure to purchase a coupon when they are available.
Purchase movie tickets in bulk. Some theaters offer packs of 25 – 50 tickets for a discounted rate. You’ll pay more upfront, but you’ll save more in the long run. If you visit the theater frequently or have a friend (or two!) that you can split the purchase with, you’ll end up coming out ahead.
Watch for discount codes. If your movie theater participates with Fandango, sometimes there will be discount codes you can enter to save on your ticket purchase. Keep in mind that Fandango does charge a convenience fee so make sure the code saves you more than the cost of the fees.
Visit the drive-in theater. Drive-ins usually charge by the car instead of by the person. You can bring your own snacks or even an entire meal with you. Some drive-ins even offer a double feature for the same price!
Check with your employer or union. Some companies offer discounted movie tickets as a perk for employees. Check with your HR department or union rep to find out if your company participates.
Watch for Black Friday deals. Some theaters will participate in Black Friday specials. This will include discounted tickets, popcorn or soda refills, or other discounts. Check their website or social media channels for specials.
Look for FREE movie tickets with purchase. I often see deals for free movie tickets with the purchase of select movies on Blu-ray or DVD. Sometimes you can purchase the Blu-ray or DVD for less than the cost of the movie ticket! Check store ads and Amazon for these deals.
Skip the theater. Instead of going out to the theater, pick up a movie as soon as it is released and have a showing of it at home. Get some really good popcorn and movie sized candy from the grocery store and enjoy the movie for a fraction of what a trip to the theater would have cost.
Find out all the ways to save with our helpful Savings Bingo!