Last night I was cleaning out my purse and came across a couple of movie passes. The little pieces of paper have been sitting in my wallet for months—ever since my young daughter fell asleep during “Charlotte’s Web.” She was so looking forward to seeing the film when it first opened back in December 2006. A few days before Christmas I broke down and bought tickets for us to see the show—-she ended up falling asleep on my lap about five minutes after the theater lights dimmed. (Note: It was the early showing, but I figured all the excitement leading up to our arrival is what did her in, but who knows?) Needless to say, given the time of year I wasn’t about to sit in darkened theater for 113 minutes with a sleeping child on my lap when I had dozens of Christmas gifts that still needed wrapping. Long story short I picked up my daughter, walked out of the theater, and asked a manager for a rain check. He gazed at my passed out daughter, gave me some free passes and wished me a happy holiday. When I found the tickets last night it was as though I had won the lottery.
My reaction may sound a bit dramatic, but frankly, between the cost of tickets, snacks, and now, gasoline, going to the movies can be an expensive family outing. Finding those tickets was essentially equivalent to finding about $20 (that amount is nothing to sneeze at—at least not in my family).
Think about it. How much do you spend to take your family to the movies? Admission and one snack per person for a family of four will likely run you about $50. That’s pretty steep for a couple hours of fun.
I know what you’re thinking—some party pooper I am. Hey, if you can afford it—go for it. I just happen to be someone who has to look for cheaper alternatives for my family to get their pop culture fix. Here are a few suggestions:
Buy Movie Passes in Bulk—-If you are a regular moviegoer and have a large family, buying movie passes in bulk from theater websites (you can usually purchase them in increments of about 50 tickets) is easy, and saves time and money.
Discounted Movie Passes—-If you are an occasional moviegoer, check eBay for discounted movie passes. You’ll find that people who buy movie passes in bulk will put the extras on eBay for about $5 per ticket. If you decide to purchase passes, check the expiration dates and limited engagement restrictions. In most cases these passes will not allow you to see a movie the weekend it opens.
Drive-Ins—-Since drive-ins charge admission by the car, not the person, they’re usually cheaper than theaters. The only problem—drive-ins are a dying breed so you may have to hunt around your region to find one. (You can read more about the benefits of watching movies at drive-ins by clicking here.)
Loyalty Card Programs–Most major theater chains have loyalty card programs. You can sign up at the theater or online. They are easy to use. Simply present the card every time you buy tickets or snacks and you’ll accrue points. Once you’ve reached a certain amount of points, you’ll get something free in exchange. For example, free tickets, popcorn, soda or other snacks. Those freebies can add up to big savings.
Our local newspaper also advertises free showings and free passes to sneak previews.
As for the movie passes I found in my wallet,
I am treating them like winning lottery tickets—-we’ll be using them next month to see another movie my daughter has been dying to see—“Surf’s Up.” We’ll really hit the jackpot if she can stay awake for it.
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