Subscription service MoviePass estimates that a family of four could pay an average of $108 for a premium-format movie ticket in high-priced markets like Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
With prices leaving families feeling like their finances have been left on the cutting room floor, is there a way to make movie night more affordable?
Luckily, there is. Between special theater pricing, membership programs and subscription services, individuals and families can ease the financial hardship of spending a night at the movies.
The national average for the price of a standard movie ticket is approximately $11.50. However, this cost can vary substantially depending on where you live, MoviePass notes:
- Large cities: $15 to $20
- Medium-sized cities: $12 to $15
- Small towns and rural areas: $8 to $11
On average, big city ticket prices were almost double those of moviegoers in smaller towns and rural areas.
Medium-sized cities, including Atlanta, Dallas, and Denver, offered prices that fell between low-end big city and small city rates.
MoviePass also noted that movies in premium formats like IMAX, Dolby Cinema and 3D cost an average of $3 to $7 more per ticket.
Therefore, premium-format movie tickets in a major city can cost as much as $108 for a family of four, or as little as $60 for four standard tickets.
No matter where you live, the cost of watching a movie can be too high for families looking for an affordable night out. Why the high prices? It all goes back to film production costs, payments to star actors and actresses, and massive marketing campaigns, explains Adam Paul, professor of screen acting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Independent by email.
Paul said, “Stars are expensive because their value is the primary marketing tool of studio releases to attract audiences.” “Those brands are just as strong – if not stronger – than the studios themselves… It all reaches the consumer in the form of tickets and discounted prices.”
How to get movie tickets at a reasonable price
Moviegoers looking for a way to reduce the financial burden of a night out at the movies can turn to several options to get cheap tickets.
Take advantage of discounted days and times
A traditional way to save money is to attend matinee viewings which take place in the late morning and afternoon. For example, New York City’s AMC Empire offers 15-20 percent off ticket prices for 25 shows. Wicked: for good before 4 pm
Another option is to check with your local theaters about discounted movie days. “Many theaters now reduce ticket prices significantly on certain days of the week,” Paul said.
Sign up for theater membership
The three most recognizable brands in the US – AMC, Regal and Cinemark – offer free and/or paid membership plans that reduce the cost of tickets, concessions and, in some cases, waive online booking fees. Each theater offers several membership levels, with higher levels offering better benefits.
For example, Cinemark’s Movie Club membership costs $10.99 to $11.99 per month, depending on what state you live in, and offers:
- Extra discount on Cinemark’s Tuesday special price.
- 20% discount
- online ticket fee waived
- One free 2D movie ticket per month
- As long as your subscription is active, unused tickets roll over and never expire.
Enroll in a movie subscription service
MoviePass is a subscription service that offers a certain number of credits each month that customers can redeem for movie tickets. The service has three subscription tiers starting at $13, $23, and $33 per month. The cheapest plan offers credits for a maximum of two movies, the standard plan offers credits for a maximum of three movies, and the premium plan offers credits for a maximum of four movies.
Unlike brand-specific theater memberships, MoviePass allows you to redeem your credits at multiple theater brands.
Is it still worth going to the movies this holiday season?
Those who want a simple experience without signing up for a subscription or watching movies at certain times or specific days likely have a big question in their minds (and wallets): Is it worth it?
To this, Professor Paul of the University of Nevada said that the answer is clear: yes.
He said, “In an increasingly divided world, the opportunity to carve out a small portion of our entertainment time to experience something unique with other people is a reminder that we are not alone.”
“Things are changing in this world in terms of how stories are presented, but there’s still an appetite for it that speaks to the value of going to a centralized location to community-experience entertainment that inspires us.”
<a href=