How to Save Money on Movie Tickets

Whether in the household or when shopping for groceries every week, when traveling, when driving or shopping – tips for saving are hidden everywhere. Often several hundred dollars can be saved per year, sometimes even per month. Depending on your needs and hobby, avoidable costs are hidden in movie subscriptions and movie tickets. And that without having to do without the things that are important to you and that bring you joy. How can you verify this? We have put together the most important tips and tricks for saving money on movie tickets. 

1. Skip the premium formats

Sure, it can be fun to see a superhero blockbuster on a five-story screen or in 3D. But not all movies are better like that.

Before rushing for the expensive ticket, consult a reviewer you trust. Some film scribes will note whether 3D has added value to a film. Or ask your friends if seeing a 3D movie is worth it.

Also, check movie times and corresponding formats carefully

2. Hang out

If you can’t get tickets to a movie, you can always try hanging around the venue on the day of the movie. Sometimes viewers have extra tickets that they are willing to sell at face value.

Please be aware that if you are trying a more innovative route to getting tickets to a movie, you should be extremely careful and aware of any potential downsides or scams.

If you are buying tickets for a movie, it is not recommended to buy paper tickets, as these can be easily forged.

If movie tickets are managed by a reputable body, please ensure that the ticket you are purchasing has been successfully transferred to your account.

Never share personal information – other than that which is explicitly required to obtain the tickets – and never purchase a ticket from an individual or a website requesting gift cards.

3. Use a rewards credit card or discount codes

Once you have a rewards card, you can use it to buy movie tickets – among other things. Technically, that won’t make them cheaper. But earning money is actually like getting a discount.

Remember: never charge more to a credit card than you can afford at the end of the billing cycle. Otherwise, you’ll incur interest charges that will wipe out your cash back.

Another good option is to look for discount codes for movie tickets. You have a great chance to get ten to fifty percent discount off your purchase, sometimes even more. You can search for these movie ticket deals and coupons at Bonuspanda.com or  other similar coupon sites.

4. Find a late theater

Instead of seeing movies when they first come out, you can catch them after they’ve been released for a few weeks at a greatly reduced price. That means sometimes you have to wait to see a movie you want to check out, but often times it’s worth saving. It’s also a great way to rewatch a movie you liked in the first theater.

5. Eat beforehand

Smuggling food into the theater is against the rules, so it is not advisable to do that. But if you have time, grab something to eat before entering the theater. That way you won’t be overwhelmed by the temptation to buy nachos and hot dogs – premium snacks that cost a premium price. Instead, make a pact with yourself that you’ll grab a drink and a snack to stay on budget.

6. Join a loyalty program

If you haven’t joined the rewards programs of the theaters you frequently visit, you are leaving money at the box office.

Almost every major chain has a loyalty card, whether plastic or virtual, to swipe every time you tap the movies. Eventually, you’ll accumulate enough points for a freebie or discount.

7. Gift Cards

A movie outing may seem like the ideal present to you, but not everyone agrees. It is possible to list gift cards that people acquire but aren’t likely to use on the website. Then, customers like you can purchase inexpensive gift cards, occasionally at a significant discount. Check what’s available; for instance, you can save 14% on a $25 gift card to various theaters.

8. Bring the whole family

A handful of theater chains across the country hold second-run screenings of children’s films each summer. Admission is free or nearly free for kids – from 50 cents to $2, especially for movies that are released the previous year. 

9. Sign Up With Online Theater

Buying your movie tickets from a second-party website can be really convenient, but you might not get the best deal. Sign up for newsletters and promotions with your neighborhood theater directly through their website. Follow them on their social media accounts as well, including Facebook and Twitter. When you book tickets, you avoid extra fees, and you might even get a feel for cheap movie days, special discounts, and coupons for concessions like popcorn, drinks, and candy to lighten your wallet.

10.  Become Loyal

Some theaters, especially those associated with chains, offer customer loyalty programs. Regal Cinemas and AMC are just two of the theater chains that offer loyalty programs to their moviegoers. Loyalty programs reward you for your patronage via a card. When you spend money on tickets and concessions, you accumulate points on your card, which can later pay for tickets or net discounts on other things. If you’re an avid movie buff, it might be worth asking, especially since you’ll probably be at the movies anyway.

One of our all-time favorite pastimes is watching movies. These easy suggestions should enable you to start saving money, one movie ticket at a time. Even if you weren’t a big moviegoer previously, this might encourage you to start going more often.