One of my family’s all-time favorite pastimes? Heading to the movie theater to catch the newest flick. Since we’ve had children, my husband and I rarely go to rated R movies in the theater (or go on dates period come to think of it). It’s just easier for us to rent adult movies after they are released on DVD and watch after we put the kids to bed. And while in my jammies.

Our children on the other hand, love to go to the movies and we want to treat the family as often as we can; and without breaking the bank to do so.

Would you believe me if I told you that when our family of four heads to the movie theater with no coupons and no snacks, we could spend a good $50? Just to sit in a dark room and watch a show! Crazy talk!  Now, I’m not going to be the one to tell you to smuggle in your own snacks so let’s find other ways to save on that movie theater experience, mmmmkay?

Nine Ways to Save at the Movie Theater

1. Go to an afternoon showing (matinee)

The matinee showings are usually cheaper than going to the evening show, most theaters charge more for showings after 4:00 pm. By heading in earlier, you’re saving on your tickets.

2. Ask for discounts

If you are a senior citizen or a student, check for additional discounts on ticket prices. Going with your church group or other large gathering? Call your local theater and ask about bulk ticket purchases, if they know they are going to sell a certain amount of tickets, many times they are more than happy to offer you a group discount.

3. Check Fandango

Where I live Fandango hasn’t always been an option, but they do offer discounts for purchasing your tickets online, and sometimes they offer Groupons and special promo codes as well, and be sure to check Living Social on occasion.

4. Check Recyclebank for coupons

If you have home recycling, you really should have a Recyclebank account. Every week when my recycling is picked up, they weigh our bin. I get points for however much we recycle that week, that we can then redeem for coupons for concessions! I have also redeemed points and taken the entire family for a free round of mini golf. I do absolutely nothing to earn these points (above and beyond what I am already doing) so linking the accounts is the way to go, yo! Get started with your own {free} Recyclebank account here.

5. Buy straight from the box office

Unless this new movie is so smokin’ hot that you’re afraid it’s going to sell out before you get there, avoid buying your tickets online from the movie theater. Many times they charge you a $1 or $2 convenience fee per ticket for buying in advance, so go straight to the box office and save those added fees.

6. Find a late-run theater

In my hometown we have The Palace; a movie theater that shows movies weeks after they opened in the more expensive theaters. We are still getting to see a movie we wanted to see (and with that movie theater experience) at a fraction of the price. They also offer a Time-warp Tuesday during which we can go to any showing for just $1.50 per ticket!

AWESOME!

7. Pass on the 3D experience

I don’t know about you, but 3D glasses just give me a headache. Unless a movie is a 3D “must have”, I’ll tend to stick with the 2D version instead. Not only is the 2D not going to give me a headache, but it is cheaper as well!

8. Take brown lunch sacks, and buy the big popcorn

It doesn’t matter if we get candy or not, we always end up getting popcorn. At both of the movie theaters we frequent, they offer a free refill on Large Popcorn and Large Drinks. To avoid fighting over the popcorn (or passing it back and forth etc) we take our own brown paper bags to divvy up the snacks. Empty the popcorn into each person’s brown bag and go ahead and get your refill, perhaps even before the movie starts so you can enjoy the entire thing uninterrupted!  Definitely something to ask about next time you’re standing in line at concessions.

9. Find a Summer Movie Program

Our small-town theater offers an extensive program for kids during the summer school break . For just a buck, they show older and newer movies during the day. This is a great way to get out of the house (and still in air conditioning!) when you’re not sure how to fill your days with “bored” kids during the summer. At that price, we could go at least once a week! Check your own movie theater’s webpage to see if they have such a program come summer.

The take-away:

By visiting the movie theater on a certain day of the week, or before a certain time, by buying tickets either online or straight from the box office, by bringing your own bags to divvy up the snacks, you’re spending less for the same amount of entertainment. Now we just need Hollywood to release a few good flicks and we are ready to go!

See more frugal living tips before you go!

Top 7 Most Frugal Things I Do
How We’re Getting Our Family of Four to Disney World for Less than $1,000
11 Tips for Staying out of Debt at Christmas Time
16 Ways to Save at Michaels
6 Secret Tips to Saving BIG on Airfare {without signing up for 100 credit cards}