Going to the movies can be an enjoyable experience, but ticket prices have been steadily rising over the years. For many people, the cost of a movie ticket is a big factor in deciding when to go see a film in theaters. Luckily, there are still ways to save money on tickets if you know which days tend to have lower prices or special deals.
Weekday vs. Weekend
The first major factor in movie ticket prices is what day of the week you go. Weekends, especially Friday and Saturday nights, tend to have the most expensive ticket prices. These are peak times when theaters are busiest and demand is highest. If possible, opting to go during a weekday can make a significant difference.
Most theaters offer discounted ticket prices for showings earlier in the week. Matinee prices on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are usually lower. The deepest discounts are often available for first showings on weekday mornings before noon. Going at these off-peak times can save you a couple dollars per ticket.
Tuesday Discount Days
Many theater chains have begun offering special promotions on Tuesdays with reduced ticket prices all day. For example, AMC Theatres has “Discount Tuesdays” when tickets are $5-6 for any showtime. Regal Cinemas offers tickets for $6 on Tuesdays. Local and independent theaters may also have similar Tuesday discounts.
Tuesday has become a popular day for movie discounts since it’s one of the slowest days of the week for movie theaters. Offering discounts is a way to boost attendance and fill more seats on an otherwise slow day. Taking advantage of a Tuesday promotion can offer big savings versus paying full weekend rates.
Matinee Savings
Matinee showtimes before noon or in the early afternoon generally have lower ticket prices. Matinees can range from $1-3 cheaper than evening showtimes for the same movie. The exact matinee windows and discounts vary by theater.
Matinees are a great option if you have flexibility in your schedule and can see a new movie release earlier in the day during the work week. Matinee prices apply every day, so you can combine them with a Tuesday discount for maximum savings.
Special Discounts and Deals
Beyond the regular weekday and matinee discounts, there are often other ways to save on movie tickets:
- Student discounts – Many theaters offer reduced price tickets for students, often in conjunction with a school ID card.
- Senior discounts – Discounted tickets are frequently available for seniors age 60+.
- Group rates – Buying tickets as part of a group, either with friends and family or through an organized group outing, can qualify you for a lower group rate.
- Discount days – Some theaters designate certain days of the month, like the second Tuesday, for ticket discounts.
- Subscription deals – Theater membership programs like AMC Stubs and Regal Unlimited allow you to see movies at a lower member price.
- Coupons & rewards – Watch for coupons and bonus rewards like free companion tickets from loyalty programs.
Check with your local theaters to see what special offers are available. There are often undiscovered opportunities to save by taking advantage of discounted ticket programs and promotions.
Movie Ticket Price Comparison by Day and Time
To demonstrate the potential savings, here is a comparison of example movie ticket prices by day and time at a major theater chain:
Day/Time | Adult Ticket Price |
---|---|
Saturday Evening | $12.99 |
Friday Evening | $11.99 |
Sunday Matinee | $9.99 |
Tuesday Matinee | $7.99 |
Wednesday Early Show | $6.99 |
As you can see, choosing an off-peak discount time like a Tuesday matinee can save around $5 per ticket versus paying the full weekend evening price. Over a family of four, those savings add up quickly.
Seasonal Variations
Movie ticket prices also fluctuate depending on the time of year. Prices are generally highest during the peak summer blockbuster season from May through August when major film releases target vacationing students and families. Prices are lower during the fall and winter months when fewer big movies come out.
If you want to see a hot summer film near release, it may be hard to avoid higher ticket prices. But for other movie-going times, seasonal timing can make a difference.
Cheaper Prices for Holiday Releases
Interestingly, ticket prices sometimes dip when major movies open over Thanksgiving and Christmastime. Studios want to lure big audiences for their holiday releases. Dropping prices a bit can help boost turnout. So you may actually get a price deal to go see a big holiday movie on opening weekend compared to other time periods.
Deep Discounts in January-February
Once the holidays have passed, movie theaters often see a big dip in attendance during January and February. Ticket prices sink to their lowest points all year. Seeing a movie during a cold winter weekday afternoon can be less than half the summer peak prices. Theaters try to incentivize customers with deep discounts before the spring and summer movie seasons pick up again.
Movie Subscription Services
If you are an avid movie-goer, a movie ticket subscription service can help save money regardless of the day and time. Plans from services like AMC A-List and Regal Unlimited allow you to see multiple movies per month at discounted member rates.
Comparing Movie Subscription Plans
Service | Monthly Fee | Movies Per Month |
---|---|---|
AMC A-List | $19.95 | 3 |
Regal Unlimited | $18 | Unlimited |
Cinemark Movie Club | $9.99 | 1 |
Subscribing can quickly pay for itself if you see at least 2-3 movies in theaters each month. Even on the cheapest Tuesday, you would likely come out ahead with a subscription versus paying per ticket.
Cheapest Day: Tuesday Matinee
Given the various discounts available, the cheapest day and time to see a movie in theaters is usually on a Tuesday for a matinee showing before noon. Combining the lowest weekday rates with typical $5-6 matinee pricing provides maximum savings.
Here are some tips for getting the best Tuesday matinee deal:
- Check online ticket listings in advance. The earliest matinee times often provide the deepest discounts.
- Arrive early. The best matinee prices apply to the first showings. Grab seats 15-20 minutes before start time.
- Bring student or senior ID. Make sure to ask for any applicable student or senior discounts on top of the matinee price.
- Join loyalty programs. Sign up ahead of time for free theater rewards programs to earn additional savings on tickets.
- Buy concession deals. Offers like discounted popcorn/drink combos can further boost your overall savings.
While Tuesday matinees are the overall best bet, be flexible and compare prices. Deep discounts may also be available on other off-peak days and times. With the right timing and planning, you can still enjoy movie magic on a budget!