Going to the movies can be expensive. No one is going to deny that reality. Especially if you have kids, you can only go on weekends, buy four giant menus of popcorn, and are forced to drive to a suburban mall to see the movie in 3D. In fact, it is more than understandable that, if that is your situation, you think that those of us who go to the movies every week are secretly loaded.
Fortunately, there are ways to go to the movies and save some money. Really. Even being able to do a double session in the center of Madrid for less than ten euros! Stay, I’ll tell you how.
Say goodbye to those little pleasures
Going two hours without eating popcorn and sipping the largest possible soda can be an ordeal for many in the cinema: It is a tradition! Is it that you want to end the traditions?
It is true: although they began to be taken in the United States during the sessions following the crash of 1929, it was not until the 1940s that American cinemas understood the need to sell popcorn in the cinema itself and thus stay afloat, but the truth is is that, no matter how hard some distributors insist, If you need to have some supplies, you can bring it from outside. It’s not illegal.
And especially if the other option is to pay more than 7 euros for a popcorn menu (or whatever you want, cinemas now serve everything from pizza to hot dogs) and soft drinks. If you can’t stand the craving or tradition is stronger than your dietdo not hesitate: take a snack and a drink from outside the cinema.
The first saving begins with the extra-cinematographic: the same happens with transportation. Do you really need to go to that fancy theater in a suburban mall that you can only get to by car? What’s wrong with the multiplex in the center where you can walk or take the bus?
Yes, yes, I know, they are obvious and addendums can be added to everything: it is very easy to get a 2 for 1 in popcorn, if you go to the center it is more normal that you end up eating there… But for many, it represents an essential saving. Of course, you will not end up saving as much as if you choose with a magnifying glass the date (and time) to go see that movie that you were looking forward to so much: It is not the same on a Saturday as on a Wednesday!
Wednesday to the cinema (or any other day)
It is often said that the prices of the Film Festival are so good that everyone flocks to it, but there are options that, although they never reach that level of savings, do They can take a big bite out of the budget. For example, on Wednesdays, the Renoir Cinemas start to cost 4.90 euros per ticket (if purchased online) and Cinesa, depending on the city, ranges between 5.50 and 6.80 euros.
In addition, many cinemas and chains they add the spectator’s day to Wednesday, either with the same promotion or with different prices. This is the case of the Verdi, which offers tickets for 4.90 euros in the last session on Sunday and on Monday (4.40 euros if you are a member). If the day does not convince you because you work late, you are in luck: there are more and more rooms that offer morning sessions (even Saturdays and Sundays) at a special price.
Also, let’s not forget that each cinema has specific days in which it does promotions, sometimes wild. For example, in La Vaguada (Madrid), from Sunday to Tuesday and on Thursday in the last session there is 2 for 1, which can be combined with the option of watching the films in their original version. In Phenomena (Barcelona), depending on the session you can even get a ticket for a double surprise pass for 6 euros. Search through the cinemas in your city before deciding to go one day by default!
oh and Do not forget to take a look at the Film Library of your city (if there is one): absolutely knockdown prices for authentic masterpieces. In Madrid, for example, each session costs 3 euros and the annual subscription 40. A full-fledged movie bathroom.
Discounts with cards
Surely if you are from Barcelona and have read “Phenomena” you immediately thought of the Phenomena Club, which costs 50 euros but it allows you to have up to a 50% discount on your ticket, free club sessions and up to two free tickets for your birthday: if you know how to amortize itis a great example of the different private promotions of cinemas that, paying a little at the beginning of the year, will give you lower prices.
But not only that: the retiree, student, large family or disabled card also gives access to discounts, and others, such as Travel Club, Iberia Plus or some banks allow you to get your cheapest ticket. Without forgetting, of course, vouchers for 5 or 10 films that you can buy at the box office and that, doing the math, they come out cheaper than getting the tickets at the normal price.
But, without a doubt, the jewel in the crown arrives on April 1 from the hands of Chinese, at least until they start throwing exceptions. At this point we are used to looking for the three feet of the cat. We are referring, of course, to the Cinesa Unlimited Card, which For 15.90 euros a month it will allow us to go to the cinema as many times as we wantin any session. If you are one of those who prefers not to make cinematic cabals, it must sound like heavenly manna to you. Will the day come when we can say that going to the movies is “not THAT expensive”?
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