Many of us relish the opportunity to unwind and watch films at the theater as a form of entertainment and relaxation during our leisure time. The experience, though, can leave a dent in our pockets if we don’t approach it prudently. This is largely because movie ticket prices are set by film production companies, resulting in the main source of theater revenue being their snack counters, notorious for their high prices. Over time, several effective strategies have been developed to save money both on movie tickets and snack purchases.
1. FANDANGO: An extremely helpful mobile app called Fandango should be on your radar. This tool helps not only find nearby theaters and movie times but also offers member discounts. Once you register on this free app, you can book your tickets in advance and apply the discounts provided. Moreover, spending $15 on snacks earns you a $5 gift card, although this may be limited to certain purchases. Check in advance to understand what applies.
2. GROUPON AND LIVING SOCIAL: These platforms offer a plethora of discounts and promotional deals across a wide variety of products and services, including movie theaters and snacks. If a particular deal isn’t currently available on your local theater’s site, check the other one. It pays to assess both these sites regularly to spot money-saving deals.
3. MATINEE: Catching a movie during a matinee show is another effective way to save money. Matinee shows are less expensive than evening shows. This tactic might not always be easy due to scheduling conflict but making it a priority can save substantial sums. Some theaters even offer additional discounts on specific days, like Tuesdays, adding to the savings.
4. LATE RUN THEATERS: Why not wait a little longer to watch a new release? Some theaters only exhibit movies a few weeks after their release, offering lower ticket prices than immediate-release theaters. Though snack prices here could still be steep, keep this in mind.
5. THEATER WEBSITE: Checking out a theater’s official website can reveal lucky finds, such as occasional deals or loyalty club benefits. Often, loyalty membership comes with an upfront discount.
6. BUY AT BOX OFFICE: Consider buying directly from the theater’s box office to avoid app convenience charges. Even if apps offer incentives, if the fee outweighs the reward, it is best to opt for direct purchases.
7. GIFT CARD SWAP: Where unwanted gift cards pile up, check out ‘Raise’, a website allowing gift card swaps. Trading an unwanted card for a discounted theater card can help you save more.
8. SUMMER MOVIE PROGRAMS: Many theaters arrange children-oriented movie programs during summer, providing affordable tickets. It’s a great way to beat summer boredom.
9. SPECIALTY DISCOUNTS: If you fall under specific categories such as children, seniors, students, military personnel, or AAA Members, you might be eligible for discounts at most cinemas.
10. SNACK DIVISION: Concession stand expenses could be the highest part of your theater outing. One workaround is to buy the larger, refillable snacks, divide them among your group using your own paper bags and refill them for free.
There’s an array of strategies to save money at the theater such as Fandango, Groupon and Living Social, Matinee shows, Late Run Theters, the theaters’ websites, Buying at the box office, Gift Card swapping, Summer Movie Programs, and taking advantage of specialty discounts and snack splitting. A bit of foresight and planning, combining these strategies can assure you substantial savings. What are your favorite hacks to budget your theater outing?
