Today you practically have to take out a second mortgage to go to the movies for a date or to bring your family to see a new release.  As we move towards awards season when most of the contenders hit the theaters, if you use some of these tips, you won’t have to miss any of the movies you’re dying to see before they come out on Netflix. 

1.  If you buy a bundle of tickets at bulktix.com, you can save anywhere from $2-3 off the price of a ticket from such major chains as AMC, Pacific and Landmark theaters.  You can buy both unrestricted (no blackouts and valid opening night) and also restricted (may include a waiting period) tickets online. They also offer discounts on many of these theaters for concessions too. 

2.  If you’re a member of such stores as Costco or Sam’s Club, check out their movie ticket discounts.  They also offer bulk packages on local movie tickets at a discount (plus many other things such as restaurants, getaways and tourist attractions.)

3.  Join the loyalty rewards program of your local theater. You accrue points when you make ticket or concession purchases that are redeemable for discounts off of future purchases.  Check out amcentertainment.com, arclight.com, regmovies.com or pacifictheaters.com for more information on their memberships. 

4.  Go to daytime or matinee screenings.  During the weekday, some theaters have an even more reduced price on daytime movies before noon that the matinee price.  Instead of going to dinner first then a movie, reverse the order and hit the matinee then dinner for a date and you’ll get a chance to cozie up to that special someone first and then have something to talk about over dinner.  Matinees are also the way to go if you want to save money on those family films.

5. Avoid reservation sites.  Sure, it’s convenient to buy your tickets online from the theaters themselves or sites like Fandango.com or Movietickets.com, but you’ll pay more.  The surcharge could be as much as $.75 or $1.50 per ticket.  If it’s a must see movie on a special night, stop by the theater a few days before and pick up your tickets or get there early. 

6.  Skip the concessions.  Here’s where you often spend the bulk of your money…how many times has your popcorn and soda cost more that your movie ticket?  Eat a meal before the movie so you’re not hungry before hand.  Pick up your own candy at the drugstore if part of your movie going experience is to snack on a fave during the show.  Or, if you’re descreet, bring in your own bottle water or soda.  I’ve been even known on occasion with my girlfriends catching a chick flick matinee to walk in with a soft cooler full of cans of Sophia sparkling wine sold in cans with their own straws for us to enjoy during the movie.

8.  If it’s concessions you must have, go for big and share.  If you trade up for a larger size you’ll pay less per ounce and many theaters offer refills for free.  Doesn’t always work on sodas if you don’t want to share a straw, but certainly for popcorn.  And many theaters give a free small cup for water so you can split the soda that way.

Have fun at the movies!