How to NOT spend a fortune at the movies

Of course everyone knows that matinees (movies showing before 6 p.m.) are generally cheaper than regular shows.

But attending a matinee is not the only way to save money at the theater.

1. The first thing to remember is that, indeed, timing is everything. By all means, attend a matinee. Or better yet, attend a show before noon at any AMC and get an even cheaper ticket. It's their "A.M. Cinema" special.
2. Many theaters also have special discount days. Our local Hollywood Theater has 1/2 price tickets every Tuesday. Some theaters also have Student Days and/or Senior Days.
3. The summer is a great time to catch up on all your kids movies. Regal and AMC both offer free or $1 movies all summer long. Regal shows G & PG movies for free every Tuesday and Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. from June through August. AMC shows G or PG movies on Wednesdays only at 10 a.m. for $1.
4. Another way to save money is to stock up on discount tickets from your local grocery store. Our King Soopers here has them for $6. That wouldn't save you money on a matinee, but it would save you $4-5 on a regular show. Just make sure to take note of any restrictions.
5. Also, I beg you, sign up for rewards cards. AMC's MovieWatcher Rewards card provides you with free concessions or movie tickets for every 10 points earned, and Regal's Crown Club card is set up similarly. These cards may save you hundreds of dollars through the years, depending on how often you go to the movies.
6. And finally, pay attention to when there are deals on concessions, as these usually add up to more than the price of admission. Again, our local Hollywood Theater is currently offering these amazing deals:$1 any size Coke all day, no exceptions, and free kids packs (kid-sized popcorn, soda, and fruit snack combo) on Tuesdays.

Enjoy your show!