Now that America’s largest movie show chain goes to start out charging ticket costs based mostly on the place your seat is positioned, it’s time to consider methods it can save you cash on the films.

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 all the time has been a sacred democratic house for all,” Frodo tweeted.

Nonetheless, by the top of the 12 months at each AMC theater, seats within the entrance will probably be cheaper whereas the very best seats within the center will price extra.

For those who ask us, it’s simply one other method for them to gouge you.

16 Methods to Save Cash on the Film Theater

Thankfully, we’ve bought concepts for how one can save a buck or two on the films. Try our record 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 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 films — “pre-matinees.”

These sometimes apply to films 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 normally free.

AMC: The largest chain within the U.S. has Low cost Tuesdays for those who’re a member of its loyalty membership, which is known as AMC Stubs. You’ll be able to be part of without spending a dime, though there’s additionally a premium choice you possibly can pay for if you’d like. 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 record reveals that the majority Regal theaters cost both $5 or $5.95 for film tickets on Tuesdays.

Cinemark: This theater chain has Low cost Tuesdays for those who’re a Cinemark Film Rewards member. There’s a free choice or a $10-per-month choice that will get you extra perks. Once more, the ticket worth on Tuesdays varies by location.

4. Purchase at Your Warehouse Membership — In Individual or On-line

Severely, it is best to make full use of these warehouse membership memberships! For those who store at Sam’s Membership or Costco, ask about theater tickets on the customer support desk. They usually 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 possibly can all the time 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

Nowadays, a lot of film theaters go properly past popcorn, Sno-Caps and Raisinets. For those who’re hungry, you’ll be tremendous tempted by the recent canines, nachos, cheese fries, rooster tenders, pizza…

And so they’re all method 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 convey your personal meals.

However we haven’t seen them cease mother and father who convey their very own paper luggage to divvy up a big bucket of popcorn between the children.

It’s less expensive than shopping for a small bag of popcorn for every particular person. 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 variety of locations the place you should buy discounted theater present playing cards on-line. For instance, you should buy AMC present playing cards on on-line marketplaces like Increase for reductions of as much as 25%.

Use them for matinees, and your complete price is likely to 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 title of your metropolis to find low cost films.

11. Be a part of the Membership

Most theaters have a membership or loyalty program you possibly can 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 thirty days and allows you to reserve theater tickets on-line without spending a dime. You can too upsize your popcorn and fountain drinks. Doesn’t sound like an incredible deal.
• A-Checklist helps you to see three films per week for $20 a month. That’s a variety of films.

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 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 possibly can convey the entire household or break up the price with pals. And take a look at our ideas for maximizing the enjoyable.

13. Go to Advance Screenings for Free

Film corporations generally supply free tickets to the general public for advance screenings. For those who get one, go early — film screenings usually get overbooked.

Listed below are just a few locations you possibly can test to see if something is accessible close to you:

See The Penny Hoarder’s publish on methods to get free tickets to advance film screenings for extra recommendations on snag these freebies.

14. Purchase in Bulk for a Low cost

At BulkTix.com, save as much as $5 per ticket for some theaters for those who 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 reveals — generally at matinee costs.

Showings sometimes begin round midnight. For those who’re an evening owl, this may be an effective way to keep away from the crowds and save a couple of dollars.

16. Sit within the Entrance Row at AMC Theatres

For those who’re OK with sitting within the entrance row, you’re in luck! It’s probably not most moviegoers’ favourite spot, although.

By the top of the 12 months in any respect of AMC’s film theaters, right here’s how the tickets will probably be priced:

Essentially the most fascinating seats in the course of the theater will probably 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 price the present worth. Seats within the entrance row are “worth seating” and can price lower than the everyday seat.

It’s as much as you, however you may need to keep away from neck pressure and persist with the common seating. You’ll be able to all the time 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.