Take Your Kids to the Movies Without Needing a 2nd Mortgage

A night out at the movies sounds like great, wholesome family fun. Quality entertainment, a change of scenery, yummy snacks, comfy seating – it all sounds awesome… until you see the price tag.

With average movie prices in the U.S. at roughly $8 a person - and more than $20 in some metropolitan areas – a simple night out quickly gets pricey. Add in the popcorn, candy and drinks and a family of four is looking at a serious outlay. It can be over $100 depending on where you live. And in many places discounted kid’s pricing is a thing of the past.

No need to break out the popcorn popper and click over to Netflix. There are tricks to help you have a great night out at the movies with the family and still save money. And if there’s one thing TopCashBack.com loves to do, it’s save you money. Let’s take a look at the top money savers.

Matinees are your Friend

Many theaters across the country vary their pricing according to the time of day. The earlier you go, the less you pay. This works great for families with smaller kids who don’t mind rising early. Once they hit the tween years, it can sometimes be a bit tougher - that is, if they still want to go to movies with you. For the most part, matinees are emptier, so you have your pick of seats, enjoy a quieter theater and have more cash in your pocket.

Dine before the Movie

You know how it goes. The minute you enter into the theater you are hit with that tantalizing, intoxicating scent of popcorn. The concession stand is nearly irresistible for adults. And for kids? Forget it. Especially once they see those oversized candy boxes. Eating before you hit the theater makes the popcorn, pizza and super-sized sodas a lot less tempting. All the better for your wallet.

Join AMC Stubs  (or other Loyalty Program)

Your theater’s own VIP programs can offer some serious savings. From discounts on ticket prices, to free upgrades at concession stands, to rewards based on your spending, these programs can really give you a better movie-going experience for less money. Plus, they’re often free to join or have a low annual fee that true movie buffs will recoup in no time.

Groupon Discounts

All kinds of sweet deals can be found on Groupon and movie tickets are no exception. Not only can you find deeply discounted tickets, they’re often bundled with popcorn and soda or other concessions treats for a price that can only be beaten by adding cash back  to it… which you can do right here. 

Buy Online

So many plusses here. Purchasing your tickets online in advance at Fandango or movietickets.com, gives you the huge advantage of skipping the lines as well as avoiding sold-out shows. Browse movies and show times on any device and pick the perfect flick for your family. Getting cash back on top of it will help you save on this super-convenient movie method.

There’s something so satisfying about knowing that you’re paying less without sacrificing the quality of the experience at all. By taking a different approach to your movie-going, you can still see the box office hits and bring the whole family along without breaking the bank.