Thrifty Thursday: Saving money on movie tickets this summer

Summer is just around the corner and one of the things my kids enjoy doing during the summer is going to the movies.  Here are a few ways we’re planning on saving on movie tickets this summer:

Take advantage of summer movie promotions ~ Many theaters offer some sort of “summer movie camp” which includes free or heavily discounted movie tickets.  These are not “first run” movies, but it still gives your kids the opportunity to have a “theater” experience.  It’s even more fun if you get together with a group of friends.  Make sure you arrive early if you are attending one of these promotional showings!

Here are some theaters that already have their summer movie information posted:

AMC Summer Movie Camp – Their schedule isn’t posted yet, but you can keep checking back for more information.

Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse – Tickets are $1 per showing for adults and children.  You can buy a “series punch card” for only $5 which allows you admission to all 10 shows, so that’s only $.50 per show!  There are limited supplies of the punch cards and they are already on sale at theater box offices.

Regal Cinemas Free Family Film Festival – See a free movie every Tuesday or Wednesday at 10 a.m. beginning the first week in June.  The schedule has been posted already!

Join Theater Rewards programs ~ Check with your theater to see if they offer a rewards program.  AMC Theaters offer the “Movie Watchers” Reward program where you earn points for purchasing movie tickets.  (What I love is that the $1 movie tickets you buy during the summer qualify for the same number of points as full price tickets!  Plus, last summer, most of the “summer movie” tickets at our theater were on Wednesdays and so we would get a coupon for free popcorn just from using our Movie Watchers reward card!)


Take advantage of free movie ticket promotions ~ Keep your eyes open for free movie ticket promotions.  Right now you can earn free Fandango movie tickets just for buying select Hershey products!  If you bought Toy Story 1 or Toy Story 2 recently, there are also codes inside the boxes for a free ticket to see Toy Story 3!

Go to a matinee ~ At most theaters, the first showing of the day is heavily discounted.

Take advantage of student discounts ~ Some theaters offer discounts for students.  You usually have to show your student ID.  Check with your theater to see if they offer this type of a promotion.

Check out your Entertainment Book ~ If you have purchased an Entertainment book, check it out.  Mine has several coupons for discounted AMC tickets ($7 each rather than the $9.50 they are charging now).

Do you have a Thrifty Thursday idea to share?  Don’t forget to link up below!

For more Thrifty Thursday ideas, check out Coupon Teacher, Madame Deals, and Life as a Mom.

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