From Rom Coms to Blockbuster Action films, most of us love a good movie. What most of our budgets don’t love are the price we pay for those flicks.
While your budget might not stretch as far as the amount of money it took to make your favorite new release, you can still save money when you go to the movies. And that’s without sneaking in your favorite drinks and snacks. These tips will keep you entertained and a few extra dollars in your pocket, too.
Join Rewards Programs
Most theaters offer a loyalty program that rewards you for frequent visits. The Regal Crown Club allows you to collect points you can cash in on movie tickets, concessions, and swag. The program is free, but be sure to scan your card or purchase your tickets online. AMC offers three programs AMC Stubs Insider, AMC Stubs A-List, and AMC Stubs Premiere. The most basic program is free, gives you a free large popcorn for your birthday, provides rewards back for dollars spent, and gives you access to $5 Ticket Tuesdays.
Cinemark’s Connections program has similar perks. Also free, the benefits include upgrades on your snacks, digital downloads, promotional items, tickets, and more. Be sure you scan your QR code when purchasing tickets or snacks. Disney Movie Rewards offers you points for both movies you view in the theater and those you purchase for home. Sign up for an account online and enter codes from DVDs or snap a photo of your ticket stubs to claim your points.
Some theaters offer even more discounts and bonuses on their mobile apps. Don’t forget to check those out before you go.
Skip Buying Online
A number of third party websites exist where you can purchase tickets online (think: Fandango or Movietickets.com). Most theaters also allow you to purchase tickets in advance at home, too. However, when you’re using any of these services, double check the bottom line before you click buy. Third party services always charge extra fees and sometimes the websites for your theater do, too. Save a few bucks by buying at the box office and use the money toward snacks.
Attend Free Screenings
Want to see a new flick before anyone else and go for free? Check out programs that allow you to do both. Three reliable websites to check out if you’re interested in signing up include Gofobo.com, SeeItFirst.net, and AdvancedScreenings.com. Each program works slightly differently but primarily depend upon having quick access to your email when movies become available.
Sign Up for eClubs
If your local theater has an eClub, sign up for their newsletter to get the details on special offerings. Both the Historic Artcraft Theatre and Canary Creek Cinemas offer emails to their loyal patrons. Every email won’t contain a discount, but you’ll be made aware of movie times and dates, as well as special events.
Eat Before You Go
While it’s fun to splurge on snacks every once and awhile – especially when you purchase them with rewards points – most of the time the food at the movie theater is overpriced. You could purchase a week’s worth of beverages for what you’d pay on one drink. Think ahead and have a healthy snack before you go to the movies. You’ll be able to give your full attention to what’s on the screen and both your body and budget will thank you.
Time Your Movie Well
Many theaters offer more affordable tickets to their films earlier in the day or on special days of the week. Head to your theater’s website to investigate matinee prices. You may also discover discounts on particular days of the week for senior citizens, students, or general audiences.
Cinemark 8 cuts their prices to $1.75/ticket on Tuesdays. AMC offers $5 Ticket Tuesdays. So odds are good that Tuesday is your best day of the week to take in a movie. Check your favorite theater for more possibilities.
Head to the Library
Not only do most libraries offer free or affordable movies to check out, many also screen them at special events. Pop in to your library to see what they have available. Or check out the online calendar on their website. You may be able to entertain your family without spending a single cent.
Even if your entertainment budget is small, you can maximize every dollar for a good time. A small amount of research could yield a great amount of fun without overspending. While it’s always smart to share how much money you saved and how you did it, it’s never a good thing to spoil the movie. So keep that twist ending to yourself.
Our new book Your Money, Your Marriage releases September 25th from Zondervan Harper Collins Christian and is already available for pre-sale now everywhere books are sold.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission.
