Here you will find all the best coupon advice, tips and how to make the most of all your coupons!
Are you looking for ways to stretch your dollar? 
There's something enchanting about the silver screen that captivates hearts and minds. Whether you're a movie buff or just looking for an enjoyable evening out, getting your hands on free or heavily discounted movie tickets can make the experience even more delightful.
In the 1940s, seeing a movie cost 72 cents for two people. By the 1960s, that cost rose to about $2.08 for two. The 1980s saw another spike with theater tickets costing closer to $7 for two people. Today, that price has nearly tripled, with the average adult evening movie ticket costing around $15 per person after fees.
The total for a family of four to see an evening movie, with popcorn and sodas, today, hovers around $80. For most people, that’s a good chunk of change just to see a movie. Fortunately, there are many ways to score discounted or free movie tickets, making it easier to see a movie without having to budget for it.
How To Get Discounted or Free Movie Tickets
1. Search Coupon Sites Groupon or ClosetSamples
Groupon and similar deal websites, such as Closet of Free Samples, frequently offer discounted movie tickets as part of their promotions. You can often find deals for single tickets, couples, or even family bundles, allowing you to enjoy the cinema experience at a fraction of the regular price.For this reason, browsing sites like these first for discounted or free movie tickets is a great place to start.
2. Join the Regal Crown Club
Regal Cinemas’ Regal Crown Club offers its monthly movie members the opportunity to redeem points for dozens of different perks. From advance screening opportunities and discounts on movies and concessions to exclusive birthday rewards and more, Regal Crown Club members can rack up points with their purchases and turn them into fun rewards. Plus, it’s free to join!
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3. Join AMC Stubs
Similar to Regal Cinema’s Regal Crown Club, AMC Theatre’s AMC Stubs loyalty programs are a great way to see movies for less. AMC Stubs offers three different membership plans—A-List, Premiere, and Insider—that each offer its own points system and perks. The AMC Stubs Insider program is free to join and includes a free refill on every large popcorn purchased, plus discounts on Tuesday showings.
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4. Join the Fandango FanRewards
With the Fandango VIP Rewards program, you earn points with each ticket that you purchase through Fandango. Each ticket purchased earns you 125 points, and a $5 rewards voucher is provided once 500 points are reached. This voucher can then be applied to future tickets and rentals. That’s about one free full ticket for every 1,500 points (or 12 purchased tickets), accumulated.
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5. Join the Cinemark Rewards Program
Cinemark offers two movie membership plans that both offer attractive perks and opportunities to earn free movie tickets. The Cinemark Movie Fan membership is free to join and includes an easy-to-follow points-earning system, Tuesday discounts, and advance screenings. The Cinemark Movie Club membership includes those benefits plus 1 free ticket per month, 20% off concessions, waived online fees, and more.
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6. Join the Magical Movie Rewards Program from Marcus Theaters
With the Marcus Theaters Magical Movie Rewards Program, members earn 1 point for every $1 spent on both tickets and concessions. Each time you hit 100 points, a $5 reward is given which can be redeemed whenever and however you want. Not to mention, Magical Movie members also get free invitations to early screenings and all online and mobile ticket fees are waived.
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7. Go to a Matinée
The ticket price for a matinee may not be $0, but it is less. For example, a 9 p.m. movie showing through Fandango is $14.93 with the convenience fee. That same movie at 1pm is $12.63.
8. Join a Movie-Focused Group on Meetup
If you love movies, there’s likely a group of like-minded movie fans near you with exclusive meetups for advance screenings or with theater partnerships. To see what’s around you, simply join the Meetup app, enter your zip code, and browse available categories under film and media.
9. Download the Free MoviePass App
With a MoviePass membership, moviegoers can redeem plan credits for movies from any participating theater. MoviePass offers three separate plans: a Basic plan for $10 that gets you up to 3 movies per month; a Standard plan for $20 that gets you up to 7 movies per month; and a Premium plan for $30 that gives you up to 11 free movies per month.
10. Skip 3D and IMAX and Opt for 2D Instead
Another good way to cash in on some discounts is to see movies in 2D instead of 3D or IMAX.
The visual effects of 3D and IMAX movies can definitely be impressive, but they usually aren’t worth the ticket price. For example, Regal Cinema’s “RPX” premium movies will be about $18 for an adult evening ticket with the convenience fee, while that same showtime in a Standard theater will be less than $15.
11. Join a Movie Company for Free Screening Opportunities
Movie companies like to offer advanced movie screenings because it helps build hype and drive sales when the box office actually opens. Fortunately for moviegoers, there are several movie companies out there that will send emails and alerts of these opportunities to those who sign up.
Companies to check out:
12. Go to a Drive-In Theater
Drive-in theaters may not be the go-to for free movie tickets, but it’s a great option for discounted tickets. For example, the price for an adult ticket for a drive-in theater in Florida is $7, and that’s for two movies. Another drive-in located in MA charges $33 per vehicle but that covers up to 6 people; so if you and 5 friends go, that’s just $6 per person. If value is what you’re after, drive-in movie theaters won’t disappoint.
13. Scout Cheap Ticket Promotions
Many theaters offer deals like a summer promotion for $5, $4, and even $3 movie tickets on certain days and times. Regal Cinema’s Regal Summer Movie Express even allows kids to see movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays all summer for just $2. To find out about promotions in your area, simply visit the websites of local theaters and see if they offer any summer discounts.
14. Redeem Points Earned on Swagbucks
With a Swagbucks account, you can earn points by simply taking surveys, playing games, and shopping online, all within the platform. Every 100 Swagbucks earned from the various activities equals $1 in redeemable US dollars. These dollars can then be redeemed for countless products and services, including free movie tickets.
15. Buy Movie Gift Cards for Less at Sam’s Club or Costco
If you’re a Costco or Sam’s Club member, you may have had access to discounted tickets all along without knowing. These wholesalers usually carry bundle packs of movie theater gift cards for a particular theatre group (like Regal Cinemas or AMC Theaters). For example, a $45 multi-pack of gift cards at Sam’s Club is $42.98. So if your local theater charges $15+ with the convenience fee for an adult ticket, this deal saves you a few dollars.
16. Create an Eventbrite Account to Browse Free or Discounted Movie Events
Eventbrite is an event platform that lists and promotes dozens of different ticketed events in your area, from concerts and comedy shows to art fairs and even film screenings. If you’re looking for discounted or free movie tickets, consider making an Eventbrite account and browsing events in your area. There just might be free showings for seniors at a certain day and time; a movie night at a local brewery; or free showings for older movies.
17. Loyalty Programs and Rewards
Many theaters offer loyalty programs that reward frequent moviegoers. These programs often provide points for every ticket purchased, which can eventually be redeemed for free tickets or concessions. Additionally, some credit cards and reward programs offer discounts on movie tickets as part of their perks.
18. Advance Screenings and Previews
Film studios often host advance screenings and previews of upcoming movies to generate buzz and gather audience feedback. Keep an eye out for these opportunities, which are usually free or available at a minimal cost. Websites and social media platforms dedicated to movie enthusiasts often share information about such events. Whenever I come across these offers I shared them to my Twitter page.
19. Student and Military Discounts
If you're a student or part of the military community, take advantage of the special discounts that many theaters offer. These discounts are a fantastic way to enjoy your favorite films without straining your budget.
Going to the movies doesn't have to be an expensive affair. With a little bit of research and creativity, you can uncover various ways to score free or significantly discounted movie tickets. From loyalty programs and deal websites to student discounts and subscription services, these strategies can help you enjoy the magic of cinema without straining your wallet. So, the next time you're in the mood for a movie night, remember these tips and embark on a cinematic adventure that's light on the budget and heavy on enjoyment.
BONUS: Check out these other free movie offers currently available while you are here and save some money!
