Movie Theater Hacks Every Film Lover Should Know

What it is: Hot food like nachos, pizza, hot dogs 
Est. Cost: $7+*

Walking into the theater and catching the scent of the food is often one of the most comforting parts of the experience. Instead of instinctively buying hot food like a hot dog or a slice of pizza, it’s probably best to avoid it. It might look fresh, but most of the time, it’s not. 

Hot Food @thelighterjournal.com/@foursquare.com

These items often sit under heat lamps until they’re sold. The later you go to the movies, the longer it’s been sitting there becoming less and less fresh. If you want some snacks it’s best to go for something prepackaged instead, like candy or chips.

What it is: Free refills on popcorn and drinks at select cinemas 
Est. Cost: Free (after the original cost of drinks/snacks)* 

It’s true that snacks can be really expensive at movie theaters, but it doesn’t always have to be that way. Theaters like AMC offer free refills on their popcorn, so when you run out halfway through the movie, you can head back out into the foyer and get it topped up without spending any more money. 

Make The Most Of Free Refills @amomstake / Pinterest.com

The same can be said for fountain drinks, which certainly makes things a little cheaper. Plus, if there are two of you, you can just take it in turns without having to buy double of everything, which will save you a decent amount of money.

What it is: Theaters that show movies later on in the run for cheaper 
Est. Cost: Cheaper than average ticket prices 

This one will depend on where you live, but there are a few late-run theaters dotted around. This simply means that theaters get the movies some time after they’re released when they aren’t quite as popular anymore, or the buzz has died down. 

Look for Late Run Movie Theaters @savingplaces / Pinterest.com

These theaters often offer tickets at heavily discounted prices, sometimes even as little as $1-$2. Not all areas have them, but it’s worth scouting around. You never know, there may be an independent one near you that you’ve never noticed before that could make all the difference to your wallet. 

What it is: A conversation with management if you weren’t happy 
Est. Cost: Free

Trailers are designed to make movies look like they’re the next best thing, but that isn’t always the case. The sad fact is that some of us can fork out a small fortune on tickets, only to realize the movie sucks within the first half an hour. Instead of putting up with it until the end, try talking to management. 

Talk To The Theater If The Movie Was Bad @Liveinfluences / Pinterest.com

They won’t be able to call studios like Sony and lodge a complaint, but they may offer you the opportunity to go into a different movie screening, or give you a voucher to use at a different time. It doesn’t work all the time, but it’s worth asking. 

What it is: A movie rewards program from which dedicated theater-goers can benefit
Est. Cost: $15/year* (AMC)

If you’re a huge movie fan, then you should consider getting a movie rewards credit card. Much like store credit cards, these pieces of plastic come with a lot of benefits to them. If you’re a frequent moviegoer, you’ll be able to reap these rewards right away.

Use A Rewards Credit Card ©Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock.com

The AMC Stubs Premiere Membership card is a good example of a movie rewards credit card. You can get a $5 reward, which you can use towards food and beverage items (that are eligible for the discount, of course) and tickets. Most movie companies have tiered rewards systems, so you can pick and choose which one works for you, based on how frequently you go to the theater. 

What it is: Gift cards that you can use at a theater for tickets, food, and beverages
Est. Cost: $25-$200*

Movie theater buffs can always use a gift card to AMC, Cinemark, and other screening venues. Even small theaters have gift cards that people can purchase. These cards can be redeemed for food, beverages, tickets, and more, and they usually have a $25-$200 value.

Ask For Gift Cards ©Dmytro Zinkevych / Shutterstock.com

At AMC, you can even buy digital gift cards with cryptocurrency, if you have a BitPay Wallet. These cards are reloadable at AMC theaters, and you can use them for concessions and tickets. If you’re thinking of what to buy your film buff friend or family member as a gift, look no further than a movie theater gift card. 

What it is: Keeps you warm in the theater, which is usually quite cold
Est. Cost: $0*

In addition to concessions being expensive, another issue that often comes up at the theater is how cold it is in there. Sometimes, it seems like you’re watching the film from Antarctica. The movie theater is cold, first and foremost, because it is large and spacious. 

Bring Blankets ©antoniodiaz / Shutterstock.com

Heat rises, and it goes directly to the high ceilings, where it is completely useless. Also, theaters tend to place the thermostat lower, in order to accommodate everyone’s temperature range. If you get cold, bring blankets to the theater. That way, you can watch the movie in comfort, without shivering every couple of seconds.    

What it is: You’ll avoid a convenience fee if you buy tickets in-person at the theater
Est. Cost: $1.42 per ticket* (Money Saved)

Buying tickets online is more convenient than getting to the theater early and standing in line at the kiosk or concession stand to purchase them. However, the cost of convenience is a literal “convenience fee,” which makes ordering tickets online more expensive than buying them in person.

Don't Buy Tickets Online ©fizkes / Shutterstock.com

AMC is a good example of this. When you buy tickets on the AMC website and app, there is a convenience fee for each ticket. AMC says that that fee is an integral part of ordering “in advance” and “skip[ping] lines,” but, if you want to save money, buy your tickets at the theater to avoid this surcharge.     

What it is: Way to sneak free drinks
Est. Cost: $5-$7* (Money Saved)

If you don’t mind the theater employees secretly rolling their eyes at you, you can ask for extra cups and fill them with water, instead of paying for an actual drink. Movie theater drinks cost between $5 and $7, depending on the size you get.

Ask For Cups And Fill Up With Water ©Tyler Olson / Shutterstock.com

There’s a chance you won’t be charged if you ask for a cup only. It depends on whoever is working the concession stand and whether they’ve been told not to give people free cups. If enough people have been using the free cup trick, you can bet that the theater is going to charge you something if you ask for extra cups.

What it is: Makes it quicker and easier for you to get seated in the theater
Est. Cost: $0*

We’ve all seen the people at the theater who look like they’ve just arrived at the airport. When you think about it, you only need your wallet and maybe a sweater or blanket, depending on whether you get cold at the movies or not.

Leave All Unnecessary Belongings In The Car ©sebra / Shutterstock.com

You don’t need to bring in purses and bags, unless it’s unavoidable. Also, bringing in backpacks and purses could slow you down, as you’ll likely be held up by security as they search your bag to make sure you’re not bringing anything in the theater you shouldn’t be. It’ll be easier and more convenient to leave all unnecessary belongings in the car. 

What it is: Gives you good pretzel mustard instead of the terrible theater mustard
Est. Cost: $3-$7 per bottle*

A plain pretzel is a boring pretzel. Sure, there is salt (or maybe even sugar) on it, but that’s not enough. One of the best condiments to dip a pretzel in is mustard, which is a shame because movie theater mustard is terrible. It comes in a tiny packet that isn’t enough for one bite, let alone the whole pretzel.

BYO Pretzel Mustard ©VDB Photos / Shutterstock.com

Though pretzels are a major snack choice at the theater, theaters haven’t done much innovation, as far as their condiments go. Bring your own mustard to the movie theater. They can’t stop you from bringing in a condiment bottle. 

What it is: Lets you stretch out your legs and avoid back pain
Est. Cost: $15-$30*

Movie theaters have to have comfortable seats. If they didn’t, people would feel as though they were watching a movie from their office chair, and they would never go to the theater. As comfortable as movie theater seats are, not all of them recline.

Bring A Folding Step Chair To Use As A Foot Stool ©Scott-lee / Shutterstock.com

Bring a folding step stool if you want to stretch your legs out at the theater. Obviously, this hack only works if you have an aisle seat or a seat with legroom. It’s impolite to place your feet on the seat in front of you if there are people nearby, so a folding stool is the next-best way to avoid back pain from being too cramped. 

What it is: Don’t order medium popcorn if you want more 
Est. Cost: $7-$8* 

If you think a small popcorn is too little and a big popcorn is too much, then you’re likely to opt for medium instead. Little do most people know that there really isn’t that much difference between the small and medium size at all – except in price. 

Popcorn @boingboing.com

One movie theater employee went viral on sites like Facebook in 2021 when he showed the difference between a small and a medium popcorn. He poured the small popcorn into the medium size tub and there was little to no difference at all. So, next time you go to the theater, stick with a small one. You’ll save money and won’t lose out on any popcorn anyway. 

What it is: A discount scheme for loyal customers 
Est. Cost: $10+* 

Different movie theater companies have different loyalty reward programs that can end up saving you a lot of money. AMC’s program, Stubs, lets you earn reward points at the cinema which then turn into vouchers that you can spend on your next trip. 

Sign Up For Loyalty Cards @vermilionlabs / Pinterest.com

Plus, if you happen to hold stocks at AMC you’re also entitled to free perks, like large popcorn. Tons of different companies offer their own versions of loyalty schemes, so it’s worth looking into your local theaters to see which one holds the best rewards.