How to Get Cheap or Free Movie Tickets

Cheap movie tickets are easier to come by than you may think. Here are 15 ways to save on movie tickets.

Watch for Free Movie Ticket Offers

Geeky guy and girl on a date at the movies
Brand New Images/Getty Images

Food manufacturers love to run free movie ticket promotions tied to the latest blockbuster, so keep an eye out for special offers on product packaging when you grocery shop. Cereal and candy manufacturers are especially fond of running these type of promotions.

Attend a Free Screening

Packed Movie Theater
Packed Movie Theater. Razvan Chisu/EyeEm/Getty Images

Sometimes movie companies set up free screenings of movies before they're officially in theaters, as a way to build hype. (They're hoping you'll talk the movie up on Facebook and Twitter afterwards). Sign up with a couple free screening websites to receive alerts when free tickets are up for grabs in your area. Two companies to sign up for: Gofobo and SeeItFirst

Go to the Movies on a Weekday

Empty Theater
Empty Theater. Phil Payne Photography/Moment/Getty Images

Have a flexible schedule? Then, consider going to the movies during the week for an extra discount.

Here are some offers to check out:

Go to a Drive-In Theater

Drive-In Theater
Drive-In Theater. John Lund/Tiffany Schoepp/Blend Images/Getty Images

Did you know that you can often catch two new-release movies at a drive-in for less than the cost of one ticket at a traditional theater? And that you can save even more by bringing your own snacks? Locate a drive-in near you, and discover the savings for yourself.

Go Early for Cheaper Movie Tickets

Couple Buying Matinee Tickets
Couple Buying Matinee Tickets. EVOK/R.Lauren/Getty Images

Matinees are cheap, but pre-matinees are even cheaper. Just catch a movie before noon to snag the early bird special.

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Work Your Memberships

Costco
Costco. SweetBabeeJay/iStock Editorial/Getty Images Plus

Costco and AAA both offer discount movie tickets to its members. Lots of unions and trade organizations do, too. Revisit your benefits packages, and you may discover that cheap tickets are a part of your bennys.

For More Information:

Buy Your Movie Tickets in Bulk

Big Pile of Tickets
Big Pile of Tickets. Michael Burrell/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Purchase your tickets one or two at a time, and you'll pay full price. Purchase them 25 or more at a time, and you'll pay a lot less. If you go to the movies often, or you can find a friend to split the purchase with, this is a good option.

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Enter Sweepstakes to Win Movie Tickets

Enter to Win Sign
Enter to Win Sign. gustavofrazao/iSttock/Getty Images Plus

Movie tickets are a popular prize in instant win games and sweepstakes. Test your luck, and you may just come out a winner.

  • Free Ticket Sweepstakes

Get a Movie Rewards Card

Movie Rewards App
Movie Rewards App. andresr/E+/Getty Images

Lots of theaters have jumped on the rewards card bandwagon. Get a card for your favorite theater, so you can start earning free concessions and tickets.

Get the Details:

Take Advantage of Student, Military and Senior Discounts

Senior Couple in Movie Theater
Senior Couple in Movie Theater. Image Source/DigitalVision/Getty Images

If you're in school, in uniform or you've reached senior citizen status, be sure to flash your ID, so you get your discount.

Programs to Check Out:

Cash in Your Credit Card Rewards

Cash in Credit Card Rewards for Movie Tickets
Cash in Credit Card Rewards for Movie Tickets. jhorrocks/E+/Getty Images

Credit card rewards can be cashed in for all sorts of things. Happily, movie theater gift cards happen to be one. Check your rewards catalog to see if they're an option for you.

Check All of Your Loyalty Rewards Programs

Loyalty Rewards Program
Loyalty Rewards Program. Stationidea/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Disney Movie Rewards and Atom Rewards are just a couple of the programs that allow you to cash in your rewards points for free movie tickets. Check through the rewards catalog of every rewards program you belong to, and you should find multiple opportunities to earn free movie tickets.

  • Loyalty Rewards Program to Sign Up For

Be Patient

Dollar Theater
Dollar Theater. smodj/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Wait for a movie to move to the dollar theaters, and you'll pay a fraction of what you'd normally pay for the same big screen experience. The average movie run time at a full-price theater is four weeks, so you probably won't have too long to wait.

Catch a Free Flick

Boy Watching a Movie
Boy Watching a Movie. Flashpop/DigitalVision/Getty Images

Most theaters run a free family movie series in the summer. These aren't first-run movies, but hey, they're free!

Buy Discounted Gift Cards

Movie Theater Gift Card
Movie Theater Gift Card. Diane Labombarbe/DigitalVision Vectors/Getty Images

Gift Card Granny sells discounted gift cards to hundreds of businesses, including all of the major movie theaters. Buy a card; then, use it to buy your tickets.

Buy Discounted Movie Theater Gift Cards: