Streaming is a popular way to see movies, but what about when you want to see the latest blockbuster or are just craving that in-theater experience, complete with a big bucket of buttery popcorn? The cost of tickets and concessions can add up quickly, particularly if you’re taking the family to see the newest kid-friendly hit.
Here are 10 ways to make sure your next visit to the theater doesn’t break the bank.
Credit: Photo courtesy of NCG Cinemas
Credit: Photo courtesy of NCG Cinemas
Sign up for loyalty programs.
Theater chains often have loyalty programs that are free to join and reward you for repeat visits. NCG Cinema, for example, has a Neighborhood Rewards program that lets you earn a 10% NCG cash back award when you buy tickets, popcorn, beverages and snacks, plus additional goodies such as a reward on your birthday. NCG has locations in Acworth, Brookhaven, Marietta, Peachtree City, Peachtree Corners, Snellville and Stone Mountain. ncgmovies.com
Pay for a subscription service.
If you like to go to the movies several times a month, a subscription service might be able to help you save money. Regal theaters, for example, have plans ranging from $18.99 to $23.99 per month. Each lets you see unlimited 2D movies with a surcharge for premium formats such as Imax. You’ll also get some additional perks, such as 10% off all food and nonalcoholic drinks and a free large popcorn and soft drink on your birthday. Regal has 10 movie complexes across the metro area. regmovies.com
AMC Theatres have a free loyalty program as well as paid AMC Stubs plans, which start at $15 plus tax each year (increasing to $17.99 at the beginning of 2025). This lower tier plan doesn’t offer the opportunity to score free tickets, but you’ll get complimentary size upgrades on popcorn and fountain drinks, waived online ticket fees on the chain’s app and website and other extras. To see up to three free movies a month, you’ll need the AMC Stubs A-list plan, which costs $22.95 a month plus tax. amctheatres.com.
If you tend to frequent multiple movie theater chains, consider checking out MoviePass, a discount program that’s been revived. Several tiers of membership are available, and each gives you a certain number of credits to use on movie tickets. The more popular the movie and showtime, the more credits it will cost you. Redemptions are limited to one ticket use and purchase per day. moviepass.com
Credit: Courtesy of Universal Pictures via AP
Credit: Courtesy of Universal Pictures via AP
Buy gift cards from warehouse clubs.
If you’re a member of a warehouse club such as Sam’s Club or Costco Wholesale, you can buy discounted movie gift cards or tickets. Sam’s Club has deals such as two $25 gift cards to movietickets.com for $37.50 and two Regal Premiere movie tickets for $18.98. Costco sells a Cinemark Theatres $50 gift card for $39.99, among other deals. Cinemark’s sole metro theater is the Tinseltown Fayetteville 17. samsclub.com, costco.com
Be flexible.
You probably know that movie theaters typically offer discounts for matinees. But if you can go to a movie on a Tuesday, you can often score tickets at a discount. For example, Regal Crown Club members can get discounted tickets to any standard movie for $5-$9 on Tuesdays. If you want to see a premium format such as Imax, you’ll pay a surcharge. Tuesday is also the ideal day to splurge on popcorn at Regal, since it’s priced at 50% off. regmovies.com
Score a discount with your ID.
It’s not always just kids who qualify for a cheaper movie ticket. Seniors and members of the military often receive discounts as well. The Plaza Theatre in Atlanta offers both of these savings, with the price of a recent movie showing reduced by $3.25 for kids, seniors or members of the military.
The age for the senior discount can vary, with NCG giving the discount for moviegoers age 55 and older while AMC Theatres’ senior discount extends to customers age 60 and older.
plazaatlanta.com, ncgmovies.com/faq, amctheatres.com/faqs
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Look for Groupon deals.
The deal site Groupon often has discounts for movie tickets and concessions. A recent deal, for example, offers lower prices for AMC Yellow Tickets as well as concessions discounts and packages with tickets and concessions. groupon.com
Take advantage of AAA discounts.
If you’ve joined AAA for its automobile service, don’t sleep on its discounts. In addition to savings at restaurants, theme parks and other locations, the service has reduced prices on tickets for Regal, AMC and Cinemark. Since ticket prices can vary by location, compare the cost of AAA’s against your preferred theater’s to see how much, if any, you can save. acg.memberdeals.com
Check out eBay.
You can buy just about anything on eBay, including movie tickets and gift cards for theater chains that you can use on tickets and/or concessions. Read listings carefully to make sure what you’re getting will match your needs. If you’re looking to go to the movies in a few days, for instance, search for sellers who have e-tickets available so you can receive them quickly. eBay.com
Be adventurous.
If you don’t have your heart set on seeing a specific movie and are feeling a little adventurous, check out AMC Theatres’ monthly Screen Unseen offerings. The chain offers $5 tickets for a new movie that remains a mystery until showtime. The only clues you’ll have are the movie’s rating as well as its run time, and that’s usually enough for internet sleuths to engage in some fun speculation. And if horror movies aren’t your thing, don’t worry. The chain has a separate Scream Unseen category for those flicks. amctheatres.com
Credit: Contributed by the Starlight Drive-In
Credit: Contributed by the Starlight Drive-In
Head to the drive-in.
For a more old-fashioned movie-viewing experience, head to Starlight Drive-In Theatre, where you could potentially save a bundle if you’re taking the whole family. Adult tickets are $10, and kids get in for just $1. If you want to stay to see another movie on the same screen, you can do so as long as the movie isn’t single-billed due to studio contracts. And you can use coupons from the theater’s website to get a free medium fountain drink when you buy a large popcorn or a free small drink when you buy a small order of nachos. starlightdrivein.com
