Take the Family to the Movies on the Cheap!

Going to the Movies These Days is Not Cheap

Here are Some Ideas on How to Save on a Fun Family Trip to the Theater

Taking my family of 5 to the movies can take quite a bite out of our monthly budget.  5 tickets and popcorn can run us $80!  We could buy a bunch of movies for home less than that. And, with the growing popularity of services such as Netflix for about $10 a month, it hardly seems worth the cost to go to the theater. However, sometimes, you just have to go see it on the big screen.  The question is, how can you save money when you go to the movies?

I have some ideas:

1.  Check out various companies that offer rewards for buying their products.  Kelloggs is pretty good about offering point codes on specially marked cereal boxes, etc.  You then enter these points into your online account and redeem for Concession Cash or Movie Tickets. Check to see if your theater participates.  When you can coupon and get Kelloggs for 75 cents-$1.50 a box, this can really be a great deal.  I worked these deals a few months ago and spent about $9 out of pocket for more than $35 worth of movie tickets, concession cash, and got about 7 boxes of Kelloggs too!  Go HERE for current information about this promotion. This deal must be done by June, so go check it out today.
2. PopTarts by Kelloggs has a similar promotion. You get points for trying new flavors. Codes are on specially marked boxes. We love Pop Tarts, so this was an easy deal to do.  Go HERE for more info. This promotion ends in September.
3. Save time and make sure you get your ticket before they sell out. Check out Fandango for discount movie ticket promotions too!  Go HERE  to see if there are any current promotions that would work for you.  Also, Google Fandango Discount Code any time before you buy and see if you can get an even better deal.
4. Months ago, Groupon had a hot deal: $4 for a movie ticket on Fandango.  You could only purchase one per account. I got one on my account, and my husband got one on his. They expire this month, so we are looking at taking the kids to the movies for Valentine's Day.  This deal is gone, but the point is to keep an eye out for these deals.
5. Check out your movie theater's website for deals, offers, or coupons.  Regal even has a customer loyalty program. Go HERE to see Regal's site. OR, google your theater for their site. 
6. Pampers Gifts to Grow Program sometimes has Movie rewards you can redeem. Like THIS one for free popcorn.
7. Heck, even My Coke Rewards has gotten in on the Movie rewards scene. Go HERE for an example.
8. Check sites like Ebay for coupons and passes.
9. EMAIL the corporate entity that owns your local theater. Tell them about an experience you had there, be complimentary. Tell them about your family's budget and love of the movies. Who knows, they might send you some vouchers for tickets or concession!
10. Not a couponer? Maybe try taking the extra time to coupon for a couple weeks. PAY YOURSELF in a jar or "excursion fund" the amount you save off your budget by using coupons. When you have enough money, go to the movies.
11. Keep blogs like mine, Couponing To Disney, and Totally Target on your Facebook wall. Every now and then, you will see some good coupons for the movies show up! 
12. If all else fails, go to the first showing of the day for the cheapest tickets. Buy the big expensive popcorn and get tons of napkins to divvy it up! These tubs usually come with a refill.  When you have a large group, this is the most economical way to get popcorn.  Share a drink... get the large and ask for some water cups so you can divide it up.  A friend of mine takes donut holes (the kind  that come in a large plastic cup from Krispy Kreme) to the movies with her. They fit right in the cup holder. I am not endorsing sneaking food in... I do it sometimes. But I worked at a theater and know the real money for the theater comes from concessions, not the tickets. Crazy, right? Those movie actors have to get paid somehow.. lol. But really. To sneak food in or not has to be a personal decision!).  *I did enjoy those donut holes at the movies though! Shameful as it was!! :) 
13. *You can go to special family showing events. These are often during the summertime and usually on a weekday. They show an old movie, family friendly, for like $1 a person. Some theaters show movies for $3 a person, but that includes a teeny popcorn and drink. Ask your theater about this. I tried it one time and was a bit discouraged. It was really crowded with tons of field trip students.  Every area is different, so give it a try if you like.

You can take your family to the movies. It may take a little effort and creativity. But you can do it.  I think we paid $2 out of pocket last time we went. We had enough Kelloggs Concession Cash and tickets to pay for tickets, popcorn, and drinks. My husband had to buy his candy, so that is why it was $2. 

Know a way to go to the movies on the cheap? Let us know!

*As always, pay attention to the fine print on all the programs and coupons,etc.