Up until a couple of weeks ago, Boyfriend and I have NEVER seen a movie in the theatres before together. Crazy, right?Well, not so crazy as we've only been dating since last October and there wasn't a whole bunch of movies we wanted to see at the time. Also movies are EXPENSIVE and we don't mind waiting until they become available at the library or on cable. We occasionally will purchase a Pay-Per-View movie at his house but only in a fit of sheer boredom/bad weather etc.
But I HAD to see The Dark Knight. I love all the Batman movies and this one I could just tell I needed to see in a theatre. And it was great by the way. If you haven't seen it yet, run, don't walk to the theatre! It was a tad long I gotta admit, but the action kept me hooked to my seat. Heath Ledger was worth every bit of hype they are giving him in the news now and I was genuinely horrified every time he came on screen. (Note to parents though, don't bring kids. I think I would have wet my pants).
Anyway, what's a frugal couple to do that just has to go out and see a movie in the theatres? Here are my suggestions:
1. Go to a matinee. Make sure you pick a theatre that actually offers matinee prices. Estimated savings: $3.00 per person
2. Stock up on candy at a local drugstore. I bring a big purse and throw in sodas, Swedish fish and immitation Snow Caps. I get really hungry at movies and besides, these things are cheap at the drugstore. (If it's nighttime I go to the supermarket and grab a 22 ounce can of beer because beer is better than soda.) Estimated savings: $10 - 20
3. When your movie is over, sneak into another movie!! Oh come on, it's not that bad. I used to work at a movie theatre and honestly the theatre employers and owners really don't care about this activity as long as it's not opening weekend where the seats are likely to fill up. Estimated savings: $6 - 10 per person4. Don't have time for a double feature? That's fine. Just wait until the movie is over and then ask to see the manager of the theatre. When he/she arrives make a complaint about something that happened during your movie experience. Common examples include noise of fellow moviegoers, sticky floors, sound of the movie being too loud/too soft, projection problems, etc. You don't need to get too upset but make it clear that your moviegoing experience was disrupted by this problem. They will ask you if you tried to remedy the problem when it occured (i.e. during the movie). All you have to say is "yes, I came out to the lobby and was unable to locate a manager") and you will get a free ticket for every person in your party!!! Make sure you keep your ticket stubs when attempting to do this. It works every time! Estimated savings: $6 - 10 per person for future visit.
You follow all that advice and a visit to the movies will be enjoyable AND affordable. Have a great weekend!
13 comments:
LOL.....funny list. I usually stop in CVS and grab snacks before heading into the movies as well.
And I haven't snuck into a movie in a minute....we call it the movie buffet....LOL
It's one thing to sneak your own snacks into the movie, but I don't do the double feature thing. Admittedly though we still use our college student IDs to get the student price. I saw The Dark Knight during my vacation, and it was awesome. After the 3 hours I was ready to get out of the theater though. Heath Ledger was amazing as the Joker too and should win an Oscar. I don't think a clown has freaked me out like that since Steven King's "IT". Hope the DVD for it comes out soon because I would like to see it again.
I dunno... the sneaking in for a double feature and complaining when there wasn't really a problem just don't seem right to me...
I love matinee shows. They're not as crowded, and it's the same movie! :) I also participate in a movie theater frequent movie goer program. For every 8 stamps (usually every 4--or less if I go with a group--movies), I get a free popcorn and two pops...perfect!
The theater owner and employees may not care, but they're not the only people whose livelihood depends on you actually paying for the film you see in the theater. Sneaking into a second movie takes money away from all the "little guys" listed in the credits - the grips, best boys, camera men, and bit actors. You may not care about the big actors making millions, and the director and producers raking in the dough, but it's unfair to steal from everyone that works "below the line." The gross amount that is made in the theaters pays into their pension and health care funds. You're stealing from some guy's 401(k) when you do that.
Sorry for the lecture, but I used to live in Hollywood and it bothers me how much people think that everyone who works on a movie is super rich. 99% of the cast and crew are just trying to get by.
I agree it isn't the most ethical activities but neither is charging me $10 to watch a movie. That's just my opinion.
So let me get this straight...
Your post purports to allow me to see a movie on the cheap, yet you've listed nothing that isn't obvious, near-fraudulently dishonest, or outright theft?
For those of you who read this far down in the comments, please be smart enough to ignore these tips. To the poster: surely you can do better.
This blog is for entertainment purposes. Just like the movies. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Jeez.
Following your line of thinking...
Next time I go to the store and buy a DVD, I should slide a second DVD into the case so I don't have to pay for it because I don't think it's "ethical" (honestly, do you even know what that means?) to charge me that much for a DVD.
Two pieces of advice:
It's okay to be frugal and forgo the movie-going experience if you think it's too expensive. It's not okay to steal (as suggested by stephanie) because you think you're getting back at someone for high prices. This isn't high school any more.
It's okay to be entertaining by telling a joke here or there. It's not okay to write a post like this, given the otherwise serious nature of the advice on this blog. Someone will take you seriously.
Grow up. Really.
Lighten up, everyone! It was a funny post. I often sneak into second movies but haven't tried the complaining trick -- and often my movie theater experience *is* disrupted by lousy projection or bad sound quality.
First off- what's unethical about charging $10 to see a movie?
Okay, I definetly sneak food into the movie theatre, I know I shouldn't but I don't LIKE the food they have, it's not even about money. The popcorn is gross and they never have the right candy- stocking up at the grocery store before hand is something I've done since I was little, but you bring BEER in? I would think that's illegal in a lot of places where public consumption is only allowed in places with a license. A soft drink is one thing, I've even popped microwave popcorn, but beer?
As for sneaking into movies without paying- I couldn't do it. I generally wait for someone else to see a movie, tell me if I'd like it or wait until it's at Redbox. My movie budget is now $1 a month for my husband and I. Redbox is the best invention ever.
But Matinee's are a fantastic deal- that's a great recommendation. The theatre where I went to college also had $1 off the first showing of the day.
wow... way to have sticks up your butts... How does it hurt anyone that owns or works in a movie theater if you sit in a room where a movie is playing, that would be playing whether you were there or not, in a seat that would have been vacant if you weren't sitting in it? Seriously, try smiling. It tricks your brain into thinking you're not a piss ant.
xoxo
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