Cheaper Ways to Take the Kids to the Movies This Summer
Summer is coming, and for parents, this means one thing: yachting! Wait, no, I mean find something to keep your offspring busy until that blessed day when school starts again. And there’s nothing better for killing time—wait, I mean providing enriching educational entertainment—than watching a movie in the middle of the week in the morning. Or, as I like to call them, air-conditioned nap opportunities.
“But I’m not a millionaire, Steven,” I’m sure you’re saying, “how can I afford to take my child to the movies several times in one season?” I’m glad you asked. If you do it right, going to the movies with your kids can be surprisingly inexpensive. Theater owners across the country have recognized the need for parents to keep their children out of the sun and have provided many low cost deals tailored just for you. Here’s how you can take the kids to the movies this summer for a lot less.
Support your local theater (or regional theater chain)
If you happen to live near an independent cinema, start there – it’s good to support brick-and-mortar cinemas. Check out their website and search for summer nights or kids movie clubs to see what’s on offer.
If your theater needs are served by a smaller network, they may have better deals than the top 3 theater operators listed below. For example, if you live in the Southwest, you may be near the Harkins Theater, where you can watch a different family movie every week all summer for as little as $1 a ticket.
How to Watch Cheap Movies at Cinemark Cinemas
National chain Cinemark’s Summer Movie Clubhouse is offering $2 tickets to slightly dusty children’s films like Scoob!, Sing 2 and Tom and Jerry for eight weeks this summer starting June 15. popcorn and a drink for parents who are afraid to bring their own food to the theater .
How to Watch Cheap Movies at Regal Cinemas
The Regal movie theater chain has screens throughout the United States and offers discounted summer children’s films. Starting in June, Summer Movie Express will be offering $2 tickets to a wide range of old family movies every Tuesday and Wednesday. So if you missed The Lego Movie or Madagascar , here’s your chance. Check your local theater for times and listings.
How to Watch Cheap Movies at AMC Theaters
AMC, the largest movie theater chain in the US, doesn’t offer specials for kids’ parties, but Fan Faves’ promotion allows anyone to buy a ticket to a second screening of the movie for five dollars and tax every day. Right now, AMC’s website says you can watch Uncharted and Sing 2 for a bargain price, but check the showtimes at local AMC theaters.
You can also join the AMC Stubs loyalty program and get discounted tickets to almost any movie every Tuesday . It’s free to be a low-level member of Stubs, but your discount depends on your local theater, so it might not be a particularly big discount.
Bring your own food and drink to all films
If you’re a parent, you should definitely bring your own food and drink to every movie you take your kids to, whether it’s to keep them from eating junk or as a cost-cutting measure, as the price of popcorn is definitely offset any savings. you could realize from discounted ticket. Some movie theater chains don’t have rules against bringing in food, but even if they do, a bored 17-year-old picking up tickets won’t ask you to open your diaper bag to check for contraband, I promise.