Thirteen frugal tips for movie lovers
December 7th, 2008 | by mbhunter |First, a small disclaimer: I’m not a big movie-watcher myself. I’ll take in a movie maybe every two months, possibly less often than that. This includes trips to the theater and rentals. As such, I don’t spend a lot on movies, anyway.
Over the next few years, taking in a flick with friends and family will be an affordable substitute for a vacation. It’s just plain cheaper. The good news for people who really love movies is that it’s possible to get by pretty cheaply, and if you downsize other areas appropriately it won’t strain the budget that much at all.
So, here are some tips for you movie buffs on how to maximize your cinematic dollar:
- Really pick and choose which movies you see in the theater. One group of movies that might make the cut are ones that absolutely depend on special effects and the latest, greatest sound equipment. Another group would be movies that might take a really long time to get onto video. The main point is that going to the theater is the most expensive option for watching a movie, so choose wisely. There’s the time and gas to get out there, as well as the fact that you only get to see it once for your money.
- Take in a matinee if you can. Some theaters offer off-peak showings at a discount to the price of nighttime showings. The movie is the same.
- Stay away from the concessions if you can. The movie theater makes its money on the concessions. Fountain drinks have a markup of a few thousand percent. Same with popcorn. A movie theater that lets you bring in your own concessions is a hidden gem; if you can, take advantage of that.
- Stay away from giving to causes before the movie. Movie theaters play off attendee’s emotions. They have a movie screen at their disposal to play carefully-designed clips that encourage you (guilt you?) to give right there. If you do, the movie theater writes off your donation, not you. If you itemize, and give what you would have given directly to the charity, you can write it off (assuming you’re allowed to do so).
- Look into packs of tickets to see if there’s a price differential. Costco.com offers movie ticket packs for four different movie theater networks. Check to see what network your favorite movie theater is in, and check the price of the tickets in the pack compared with your movie theater’s prices. (Or, you can of course check for movie tickets on eBay!)
- See if you can get a group together. For example, our church got a bunch of people to see Fireproof this year, and I believe that they got a small discount. Every little bit helps.
- For the movies that really don’t need to be seen immediately or ones where the big screen doesn’t matter, watch it at home! It’s way cheaper. You can buy your soda and candy at the grocery store, and eat it during the movie without feeling like you have contraband. Popcorn is way cheaper and healthier. We use a Nordic Ware microwave popcorn popping bowl and it does a good job without needing any oil. A bag of kernels costs a couple of bucks and could provide popcorn for a couple dozen people.
- Like to watch a lot of movies and want a lot to choose from? Netflix is probably your best choice. They have over 100,000 titles to choose from. They pay for shipping both ways, and you can cancel at any time. There are instant downloads available each month as well. My parents-in-law have a Netflix subscription and they absolutely love it.
- Are you looking to start or expand a collection? Well, good news! Lots of people are looking to get rid of their collection or decrease the size of it. There’s nothing wrong with pre-viewed DVDs (unless they’re absolutely trashed). People routinely sell their personal DVD collections on eBay, and bidding on these is brisk. More often than not they will list every single movie right in the auction, so you’ll know exactly what you’re going to get. A fair price point for collections is less than half of what you can get them for in WalMart’s dig-through-the-box specials.
- What if you’re like me and don’t watch movies often at all? Like I mentioned above, I watch only a few movies a year. A Netflix subscription would be overkill for me. If you’re a casual viewer, then it’s easier to find good deals in low quantities because the urgency really isn’t there.
- Pawn shops, thrift stores, and garage sales are good places to pick up one or two cheap movies. Three bucks is a good price point. If you run across something that looks interesting, pick it up.
- Redbox works well, too. I had a good experience with Redbox when I rented Expelled. It was a very easy process, and the rental was a buck for one night for a movie that was released this year.
- Don’t forget free! There are options for free movies, of course. Your local library might have a collection. Your church might. Hulu.com has a fairly decent free movie selection. You could borrow one from a friend, or wait until it comes out on network television.
18 Responses to “Thirteen frugal tips for movie lovers”
By Andy @ Retire at 40 on Dec 7, 2008 | Reply
Great list. If I may add a few more:
* look out for regular specials at the cinema such as ‘Cheap Day Tuesday’, about the same as the matinée but in the evenings too
* heading around to a friends’ house and sharing the DVD rental cost also helps
* you can usually rent 5 old movies for a week for a special price
* clipping coupons for rental shops occasionally gives you a new release and another movie free
* of course, watching on plain old TV is free – so long as you can bear the adverts
By Charlie-paylessforfood.com on Dec 7, 2008 | Reply
Great article. I love movies and I’m always looking for ways to save money. So I loved your tips.
Also consider twilight movies (4-6pm) in addition to matinee movies. Here in Chicago we have a new very modern theater that offers $5 movies Monday-Thursday for 4-6pm showings. This is cheaper even than their matinee show prices.
Eat before you go. I love movie theater popcorn but hate the price. A box of popcorn and soda can cost more than the movie itself!
If you go to watch a movie while hungry you’re much more likely to give into temptation. I try to eat dinner right before I go to watch a movie. I’ve also eaten cheap bags of microwave popcorn right before going to the movies to help resist temptation
Check out the Entertainment Book. This coupon book also has great deals for buying groups of cheap movie tickets.
Consider getting a loyalty card. If you’re going to pay for a movie might as well get something out of it. I love the AMC movie card.
It gives me points for every movie I go to. After you obtain a certain amount of points you get free popcorn, drinks, and even free movies. It costs nothing to sign up for the card.
I love the suggestion about the library. Several libraries in our area look like Blockbusters. They have the newest releases that you can borrow for FREE.
Check your area for discount theaters. For movies that you just have to see on the large screen consider discount theaters that show movies usually after they have been out for a month or two. I frequented several that offered movie showings for just $2 or $3.
By Ashley on Dec 7, 2008 | Reply
You can almost always get a code for a free Redbox rental by googling “Redbox codes.” I’ve never paid for a Redbox rental – just make sure to have it back by 9 pm the next day!
One such site: http://www.insideredbox.com/redbox-codes/
By Shaun Connell on Dec 7, 2008 | Reply
I’ve all but cut theaters out of my financial diet. I typically stick to the major action movies (Bond, Batman, Rambo, etc) that rely on the special effects and audio.
Ashley,
Brilliant idea…I hadn’t thought of that. I’ll give it a spin.
By Chris @ BuildMyBudget on Dec 7, 2008 | Reply
Great post. My wife and I love watching movies but the cost at the local AMC just rose to a ridiculous $10/movie! So we’ve resolved to only dollar-theater movies and whatever comes on tv.
By Kaye on Dec 7, 2008 | Reply
I second Charlie’s suggestion about loyalty cards. I usually only go to movies when my daughter visits or when I visit my brother. But the points still build up and I earned one free ticket a few months ago, plus have ocasionally gotten DEEP discounts on snacks. Last week I could have bought a Butterfinger for $1. Budget said yes, diet said no, and won
Also, you can usually request a free cup to get water to drink. Or buy a small bottle, and refill it, rather than a big bottle. There’s that diet talking again. 
By Beef Up Your Piggy on Dec 7, 2008 | Reply
LOVE this post…I am a huge movie fan! Since having 2 small children at home, we can’t run out the theater as often anymore so we have Blockbuster Mail-In Rentals…so glad. Keep up your good work. Love it.
By A;waysPrivate on Dec 8, 2008 | Reply
Use Freecycle to ask if folks have entertainment book coupons for movie ticket discounts that they arent going to use.. the coupons let you get into the movie for $6.50 and you get two tickets per coupon
By Chris on Dec 11, 2008 | Reply
Go to free movie screenings! They’re all over the country. Here’s one web site that even tells you where and when they are: http://www.txtmovieclub.com.
Your mileage may vary.
By Paulette @ Spend Tracker USA on Dec 11, 2008 | Reply
I was going to add the one about the loyalty card. I did that even though I’m not a frequent visitor, and get some points that can eventually be cashed in for something or other.
Not real sure because I visit only for blockbuster special effects movies AND I usually buy tickets not at the window, but at the credit union for matinee prices. I figure saving $3 now is worth losing out on some loyalty rewards.
As for Redbox, love it, but switched to Netflix for the selection. I’m aiming for at least 10 Netflix movies in a month to match the value at Redbox, but Netflix is worth a bit more anyway because of the vast selection.
By Janet on Dec 11, 2008 | Reply
Two words.
LARGE PURSE
haha I used to go to steak escape, get a 6inch cheese steak, fries and a soda for like $6 position it carefully in a large purse, hang a jacket or sweatshirt over the top and go on in the theater.
It was awesome. Cheesesteaks and movies go so well together.
Now I do the same but with food from home, pbjs are good. As far as candy goes, you can buy the same candy at the Dollar Tree store.
I know guys who carry backpacks or have cargo pants for the same reason.
By Robin on Dec 11, 2008 | Reply
…you rented Expelled?
By P Smith on Dec 11, 2008 | Reply
To reiterate what Robyn said, who would rent “Expelled”? Such a person either had a lousy education or had better have a good reason.
Another way to save on buying movies: by VCDs instead of DVDs. If you’re not interested in the “extras” and aren’t finicky about sound and video quality, they cost a lot less than DVDs.
Also, buy while on holiday in other countries. I buy dozens of legal movies on VCD from chain stores when I go on annual holiday in the Philippines (I work/live in Taiwan), and they cost me about US$2 for old titles and US$6 for brand new films just out on video.
By Gil on Dec 11, 2008 | Reply
A movie better be good for me to go and spend that kind of money, and I usually know in advance what I want to see. Like others, I try to go very early on a weekend or Wed, which is usually matinee night. Plus, it’s usually less crowded and quieter on a weeknight than on weekends.
I sneak in my own drinks and candy, but am willing to pony up for a small bag of popcorn.
I also get many movies cheap from amazon and watch at home.
I haven’t tried Rebox or Netflix yet, but will definitely do that soon.
By Michelle on Dec 11, 2008 | Reply
Libraries are a great place to see movies for free. At my local library we have all the latest movies, we have the classics, anything you’d like and it is free. Definitely go to the library for your movie fix.
By Trent on Dec 11, 2008 | Reply
Spending $20 for two people to go to the movies is a complete waste (and I’m someone who used to see 4+ movies on a weekend back in college). Theaters are poorly run and the audiences are obnoxious. Plus, my couch is more comfortable. I don’t look forward to going to the theater anymore.
My advice: get Netflix. Also, take advantage of their streaming service. They are constantly adding more titles. If you have an XBox Live account, you can also watch the streaming movies on your XBox360 & TV immediately (you don’t have to worry about sending a DVD back to get the next one by Saturday). It’s a great value.
Libraries are another great source for DVD’s and music (depending on where you live).
By Bobulo on Dec 12, 2008 | Reply
>>bring in your own concessions
I’m fairly sure that a “concession stand” does not sell “concessions”. The (original) actual meaning is that the space for the stand is leased from the owner.
By Archer on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
To take the library suggestion one step further: My library system has a website with an extensive online catalog which allows me to search for titles. then reserve or place a hold on DVDs. When the DVD becomes available I get a call (automated) from my branch library. Then I go go by and pick it up. Couldn’t be easier or cheaper.