There’s nothing quite like walking into a freezing movie theater while the summer heat stays outdoors. Summer time is definitely a time to catch all the best blockbusters, but going to the movie theater can be a huge drain on your budget. With prices climbing little by little each year, taking your family to the theater may end up costing you too much. Of course, if going to the movies is your favorite summer cool down activity, there’s a few ways to work around the budgeting problem! In fact, you can get more out of your movie going experience when you keep it fugal and utilize a few simple tips to help your family enjoy more movies for less than you’d expect!
1. Discount Days
A lot of theaters will offer special discount days from time to time. Of course, this all depends on the movie theater you go to, so you may want to call ahead and ask about promotions or discount days before you plan out your trip. Generally, a lot of theaters will offer promotions around specific holidays, so you may want to try to catch a film during these days. Other theaters may actually offer a discount every single week. For instance, some big name theaters offer a $5 Tuesday, which can really save some money if you have a lot of people attending. During the summer, many theaters will offer special discount days for children, some may even allow free entrance for some ages, which makes a field trip to the theater one of your best summer options. If you can, try to keep ahead of the theater by subscribing to their newsletter or keeping in touch with the front desk. After you catch a few discount days, you’ll really be pleased with the savings.
2. Be An Early Bird
If you haven’t already noticed, when you go to the movie theater actually determines how much you will pay to see a movie. Most movie theaters have a special matinee price for movie goers who want to spend the rest of their morning in the theater. This is usually up to $3-4 cheaper than the typical price, which could save you big time! Even better, some theaters host a twilight hour which can range from $1-2 cheaper than the matinee prices. Of course, the ticket price isn’t going to be the only thing that saves you money. If you go to the movies earlier in the day you may be less likely to hit the concession stands as popcorn and sugary food and drinks may not be on your agenda yet. It’ll also reassure you that you’re going to eat after the movie, so you may not feel as hungry as you would during the later periods of the day. Also, if you live in an area that requires you to pay for parking, you may end up paying less for non-peak hours or, better yet, you might actually have a chance of finding some free parking.
3. Skip IMAX/3-D
Sure, seeing your favorite movies in an all new light is a huge trend right now. It seems like almost every movie is made in 3-D and each film that is aims to make a younger audience jump up and down squealing until they put on the special 3-D glasses. Even pricier is the IMAX Theater which brings a larger and better quality image for you to enjoy. Although they may sound enticing to just about anyone, seeing the movie with these upgraded features will cost you a whole lot more than a regular movie ticket. Of course, you may think you want to impress your kids by taking them to see the adaptation they want, but at the same time, you may end up ruining their experience. 3-D films don’t exactly sit well with just everyone. In fact, they can really bother some people’s eyes and could lead to a day filled with a long-lasting headache. At the same time, if you have young children then IMAX may not be the best idea. Usually, when people pay more for a ticket they’re less likely to be patient with bathroom visits, crying or unexpected talking or coaxing that young children tend to exhibit. Thus, you may have an argument on your hands or an employee asking you to calm it down or take it elsewhere, both of which may ruin the experience!
4. Snacks
It doesn’t matter what theater you go to, when you hit the concession stand you can probably guess that it’s going to be pretty pricey! When you’re on a budget, even buying a soda can leave you wondering where all your money went, so it may be best to avoid this section altogether. Instead, make sure to eat something before you go into the theater. Sure, the smell of your favorite snacks may make you think you’re hungry, but if you have a tasty meal on your stomach you’ll probably be less inclined to hop up and grab a snack. This can actually do you a lot of favors anyway as many concession stand foods are terrible for you. Often, they can leave you with a horrible stomachache after the fact, or you can end up having to make bathroom visits with the kids every few minutes. Of course, if you do have to grab a snack then try to go for a reusable cup. You can get free to cheap refills this way which will come in handy every time you go to the movies. You may also want to skip out on any snacks that can’t be shared.
5. Rewards Program
If you happen to go to the movies often, then you may want to sign up for your theaters Rewards Program. Generally, when you buy tickets at the theater’s box office, the clerk will ask you if you’d like to sign up for their exclusive program. You should always say yes! It’s totally free and each time you go to the movies you get points based on what you bought. Even better, these points can travel with you so if you go to a movie theater in one location and they have the same company in another then you won’t have to miss out on those points. Every time you go to the movie and they swipe your card you can end up with free snacks and beverages and even free tickets. Sometimes, you’ll simply receive a coupon, but every little bit does help when you’re trying to enjoy the experience on a budget!
6. Try Discount Theaters
A lot of people prefer to head to a popular theater because it has the latest releases; however, if you’re just looking for a fun way to kill some time on a budget then discount theaters are your best friend. Generally, you can catch a movie her for about $1, which is a pretty great deal! The only catch is you won’t be able to see the latest movies. Usually, the movies at these theaters are about to come out on DVD. Of course, if missed out on a movie or you just want to see a favorite again, then you’ll love going to the discount theater. You still get the movie on the big screen and for a fraction of the price. Some theaters will even host special events where they host old movies for a week or two. This is a great time to let the kids see some of their favorites on the big screen, or it could be a great time to plan a date night where you and your partner relive your first dates!
7. Drive In
Step back into yesteryear by taking the family to the drive in. Okay, so it’s not exactly the same as it was back in its heyday, but drive in theaters can be a great place for all ages. Usually, the drive in plans a special feature which consists of two movies, so you’ll already get a little more fun for the money. You may also not have to pay as much to see the two movies as some theaters pay a flat rate per car, rather than charging admission per person. Either way, you’ll still be able to enjoy the experience more as kids aren’t confined to their seats throughout the film. Many drive ins will even have a small playground for kids who aren’t interested in the movie, or need a little play time during intermission. If the movies run late then you can just pack up a pillow and blanket and the kids can sleep through a movie that the adults want to watch. Better yet, some drive ins will even allow you to bring your own food, which is perfect for a cheap picnic dinner. However, you may want to call ahead of time as rules vary from theater to theater.
8. Ask For A Discount
When it comes to movie theaters, you may not believe the amount of discounts they offer. The best thing you can do is ask if you think you may qualify for a discount. Some of the more popular discounts are military members and dependents, AAA members and other special organizations or handicaps. Of course, you may not think to ask about some discounts. For instance, senior citizens should automatically get a discount when they buy a ticket, but sometimes you have to ask to ensure you get it. Students are also another group that often misses out on their discount opportunities. Make sure you bring your student I.D. with you and you’ll be all set to save on money.
9. Gift Cards
One of the best ways to save some money is to actually buy gift cards for your favorite movie theater. Shopping online on special gift card sites as well as your favorite bulk stores will allow you to save some big money on your movie theater experience. Online gift card stores can often get you gift cards with more money on them than you actually pay. These are usually trade in sites where people offer their gift cards in exchange for money or another type of card. Bulk stores are also great because you buy more than one gift card in a package and you usually end up getting at least one gift card for free. Also, paying in this way can help you stick to your budget so you won’t have to worry about over-doing it on an entertainment splurge.
10. Sign Up For Newsletters
When it comes to big savings, the best thing you can do is sign up for your theaters newsletters. Sure, you may end up getting more emails than you like, but when it comes to movie theater season you’ll be glad you signed up. Not to mention, you can unsubscribe at any time, so if the emails become bothersome the problem can be stopped right away. All the same, the newsletter usually contains new releases, early or special releases, discount days and special coupons. With this knowledge on your side you’ll be able to plan more efficiently so you can keep your movie theater trips to a low price.
It’s hard to avoid the movie theater, especially in the summer time! When it comes to summer entertainment your local theater is sure to please even if it just means staying cool for a couple of hours! With these ten frugal tips, you should be able to cut down on the amount you spend so you can enjoy plenty more visits in the future!
