Apr 10
25
You are sitting in a dark movie theatre, reaching into the popcorn bucket as you lose yourself in the storyline. Each twist and turn, every experience of the characters pulls you in. Finally, as the credits roll and the lights come up, you sigh, not wanting to return to reality just yet…
Watching movies is probably my favorite thing to do. Sometimes life can just get to you, and with a good movie you can forget about it for a few hours and get lost in someone else’s story. But movies are just so darn expensive. If you go out to the movie theatre, tickets can be almost $10 per person. (In London, I paid the equivalent of $23 for a movie ticket – ugh) If you opt for a drink and popcorn, you are out another $10. Forget paying for your date- $40 for a movie night?! (Don’t even get me started on IMAX prices)
In Colorado Springs, we have this terrific movie theatre called the Picture Show. I call it terrific because movie tickets are $1.25, or if you go on Tuesday night, they are only $0.75. The last year that the average movie ticket price was about $0.75? 1960. So this is a 50 year old bargain. Three quarters, and you can see a movie on the big screen. To me, that is essentially a free movie. Their food prices are as high as a regular theatre, but if you plan accordingly, you can bypass it altogether. Pop your popcorn ahead of time, and bring it in with drinks from home. They say they don’t allow outside food and drinks, but I have never been checked… Just bring a big purse or coat. Looking at their website, they have 5 other locations in Florida, Illinois, Georgia, California and Arizona, so if you are in those areas, you might check them out.
The other great thing about this theatre? They show the limbo movies. You know how some movies are in and out of the theatres in a few weeks, and then stuck in movie limbo until they are released on DVD? I hate that, because I tend to avoid opening weekends like the plague, and end up missing the movie altogether. And some movies were meant to be seen on the big screen. The Picture Show has those inbetween movies. Last week I saw a movie that came out in theatres on Valentine’s Day weekend, and was gone two weeks later. It won’t be released on DVD until mid-May. So instead of waiting for three months, I was able to see it now.
The only real downside to this bargain theatre? It is a bit… skeezy. There is a permanent feeling of it being dirty, and the seats are the old school ones (no stadium seating here). I have trouble fitting in a seat, and I am an average size female. But for $0.75, I can deal with it.
The alternative to this is to sign up for a mail DVD program like Netflix, or go the Redbox route. With both, as long as you watch the DVD quickly, the per movie rental fee can be about $1.
Because of these two options, I can indulge my movie watching desire without breaking the bank.
I buy movies when they come out on dvd, I cant stand it when the guy behind me wants to talk on his cell phone, or the kid kicks my seat. At home I can pause the movie and turn up the surround sound.
Scott Sylvan Bell
http://www.scottbellconsultant.com
Now go implement!
Last movie I saw in the theatre was Clash of the Titan in 3D (not the 80s version)… wait for it to come to Walmart’s bargain bins.
With the weather warming up, we like doing movie nights, where we hang a sheet up against house and use the projector to beam the movie on to it, have some speakers to crack out the sound… everyone brings lawn chairs and snacks, we kick back and enjoy! We even do a short cartoon before the movie starts.
Mark
Direct Selling Advice, Leveraging Relationships for Long-term Profit
Mark, That is a great Idea. I was wondering if I could us my computer projector for doing big screen movies on a hot summer night. I’ll have to give it a try.
Tim Van Milligan, helping you Make Money Online, God’s Way!
Tim Van Milligan, helping you Make Money Online, God’s Way!
We also like to wait til they are on DVD…and then on sale at Half-price books or the thrift store and watch them at home in comfort, with our own snacks. In St Paul, the library has free movie nights in the summer,where they show movies outside in the park. In Chicago, the art museum, showed foreign films on Tuesday nights for 2.00. When I lived in Atlanta, one theater was surrounded by construction and showed movies for .01 during that time, I think they lived off the profits from the concession stand!
Sonya Lenzo
http://www.yourchanceforromance.com
The last movie I went to the theater to see was Blind Side then when it came out on DVD we bought it. I agree movies are to expensive and dollar movie theaters are great.
Hi Michelle,
I love finding el cheapo movie theatres. I am often just as happy to watch a second run movie. I rarely feel the need to race to the movie theatre to watch it opening night or even the first weekend. We certainly can save a tremendous amount this way.
Great frugal tip!
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Single Boomer Dating Expert
The last movie I saw in a theater was the third Pirates of the Carribean movie. I love Johnny Depp! My husband has back trouble though so we rarely go the theater as it is too difficult for him to sit that long. (At home, he stands in the kitchen and watches the TV from there.) He’s not much a movie fan anyway, but I love the movies!
I wanted to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie in the theater but that one didn’t stay in our theater very long and I missed it. Will wait until the DVD comes out and then take it over to my brother’s house where he has a theater in his downstairs. My sister-in-law makes movie watching there an event complete with theater candy and popcorn! She’s great!
I like Mark’s idea though about wathcing outdoors. Like a drive-in without the cars! A couple of the city parks host events like that but they show old-time movies with Wizard of Oz and such usually.
Peggy Larson
Quilting – Colors and Fun!
Dollar movie theaters are nice, but I find most of them not to have the same high quality sound and picture as the more expensive movie theatres. I don’t mind paying a little more to see better quality, but that’s just me.
Every town has one of these discount theatres. They make for great options when you want to have that theatre experience on the cheap.
Steve Chambers
Body Language Expert
The last movie I went to see was and still is my absolute favorite – so far – 3D AVATAR – Loved it!
I bought 10 tickets so the 3D film was less then 1/2 price – I took a few post-boomer friends with me who had never been to a 3D film, except for those back in the 50s.
We arrived at our seats, my friends were planning to make their acquaintence with the powder rooms – but the film started – they were so captivated that they barely got their coats off and sat still for the whole film!!!
Then we went for a light snack afterwards to discuss the film. It was a lot of fun!
Eileen
Secrets to using audio, video, blogs in your ESL, EFL, ESOL lessons are here!
We used to have more of these theaters but they are slowly be edged out by the big box ones.
Robert Kaufer
Law and Health with Robert Kaufer
I love RedBox! I think these should be set up in more places. The really great thing about RedBox is you can return the movie to any other RedBox kiosk (you don’t have to return it to where you orginally rented the movie from).
Thank you for the reminder about this great service.
Yours In Health!
Dr. Wendy
http://www.kettlebellolympia.com
I hadn’t been to a movie in a theater in about 2 years until I finally went & saw the 3-D Imax showing of AVATAR. Pricey for a movie but a great movie going experience.
Prior to that I hadn’t been in a theater since seeing STARDUST (a great movie you should get on DVD!)
There just isn’t much that comes out these days that makes it worth my while & cost to go to the theater.
When i lived in St Paul, Minnesota I loved going over to Minneapolis to see the Oak Street Cinema to watch the old Hitchcock, Cary Grant & black & white classics on the big screen for only $5.50.
Used to round up a bunch of people from work & get them to go with me because I wanted to make sure the theater stayed in business! Hope it’s still there!
Michael
The Success Secrets
I can’t believe this was your topic today because I thought of you when we rented a movie from redbox outside the grocery store last night for the kids. We had movie night at home where I make “old-fashioned” popcorn on the stove (which is the only way to do it right) and we all snuggle on the couch and watch the $1 movie! So it does count!
Great minds think alike!
Jen B
The Harwood Group – Tinnitus, Chronic Illness, Fears, and Anxiety
My wife and I have to rent…we have two boys under 16 months..so finding a sitter is hard…but the last movie I saw was worth it…it was a cartoon..don’t remember the name but it was just me and my daughter..
Okay, when I go to Colorado Springs, I have to go to the IMAX. You see, New Mexico does not have one single IMAX theatre. So, for someone who likes to be overwhelmed with graphics and visuals… The IMAX is the only logical choice, (if I’m going to drive four hours to see a movie). It doesn’t happen often, (Night At The Museum 2 was the last show). Avatar in IMAX 3D in Knoxville, TN was worth the ticket price as well.
http://dewaynechriswell.com
I would totally go there if I lived nearby. We almost never go to the movies because it is so darn expensive. Many don’t even have “children’s prices” either. We went a couple of years ago, saw the movie got popcorn and sodas and it was $60.00 for a family of 4! $1.25 IS basically free. Great find.
Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Services, Nanny Services, and Nanny agencies
Oh how I miss the dollar theatres! It’s hard to be terribly disappointed with a movie when it’s only a dollar. It’s something like $18 for a movie ticket here in Europe.
Shane
Hypnosis – Change Your Thoughts and Change Your Life -
I like Netflix. You can enjoy a family movie night in the privacy of your own home.
David
Bay Area Roofing Contractors
Michelle
To get out of paying for you date, wear a bog coat and sneak him or her in under it…lol
Michael
http://datingguruhq.com
I have about 8 movies I bought a month ago that I have not even opened. I used to love to go to the movies but its hard to find the time now. So I will pick upsome movies that I know must be good by hearing everyone talk about them. Getting time to watch them is the problem.
Mike
Safety Is Everyones Business