Ten ways to save money at the cinema
A trip to the cinema is pretty expensive these days. If you enjoy the experience of watching a movie on the big screen, you don’t have to pay full price. Here’s a list of the top ten ways to save money at the cinema:
(Disclaimer: The information below was correct at the time of writing – February 2022 – but please do check the terms of each offer carefully).
1. Club Lloyds
Club Lloyds current account holders can select a ‘Lifestyle benefit” of six free cinema tickets per year, and use these any day of the week. Select from either Vue or Odeon cinemas when you choose this lifestyle option (you can’t use the free tickets at both). Note that the Club Lloyds current account has a £3 monthly fee. The fee is waived if you credit £1500 or more to the account each calendar month.
2. Tesco Clubcard Deals
Tesco Clubcard vouchers are worth 3x their face value when you trade them in for vouchers to use at Cineworld or Picturehouse cinemas. These can then be used on any day of the week. A 50p Tesco voucher is worth £1.50 in cinema vouchers. You can only redeem the cinema vouchers online and a 70p booking fee applies to each ticket booked.
3. MyVodafone
Vodafone mobile customers can get two Vue tickets for £7. Use these to see a 2D film at Vue on any day of the week. Download and sign in to the MyVodafone app and look for the deal in the VeryMe section. This offer repeats every Monday.
4. O2 Priority/Virgin Media Broadband
Customers of O2 and Virgin Media Broadband get a free Odeon 2D cinema ticket to use every Monday via the O2 Priority app. Free ticket codes are released in the app on Tuesdays. You must use your code on the Odeon site or app to book by midnight on the day before you want to use your free ticket.
5. Meerkat Movies
Buy an insurance product through Compare The Market, and you will get a year of Meerkat Movies for free. You will then be able to claim a “buy one, get one free” code on cinema tickets. Use the code once per week on a Tuesday or Wednesday at most UK cinemas. Tip: A one day UK travel insurance policy (which usually costs just over £1) will qualify for this deal.
6. Three+
Customers of Three get a code for a £3 Cineworld ticket every week to use on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Search for Cineworld in the Three+ app and then click “get code.” Online bookings attract a 75p booking fee – show the code in person at the box office to avoid this.
7. Kids’ Screenings
Several major cinema chains offer discounted tickets for kids’ screenings on Saturdays, Sundays and school holidays. Mini-Mornings tickets from Vue cost £2.49 per person for both child (aged 2-12) and accompanying adult tickets, and you can book online or via the Vue app. Odeon Kids tickets are £2.50 per person for a child (aged up to 14) with an accompanying adult, and you can book online via MyOdeon. Cineworld Movies for Juniors tickets are £2.50 per person for a child (aged up to 14) with an accompanying adult. Note that a 75p fee applies if you book online. Empire cinemas also offer Jnr tickets at weekends for £2 per person, valid for children (up to 14 years) with accompanying adults, but an extra 70p booking fee applies if you book online.
8. Groupon
Groupon often has offers for discounted cinema tickets, but these vary from time to time. Recent offers include five Odeon tickets for £25 which can be used on any day.
9. ShowFilmFirst
ShowFilmFirst often have free tickets to preview screenings of films at various cinemas around the UK. Although infrequent, if you’re lucky you can get see a new release movie for free, in advance of its official release date. Sign up and keep a close eye on your emails, as tickets often go quickly when ShowFilmFirst send an email alert.
10. Snacks and drinks
These are hideously expensive in the cinema, and most venues allow you to take your own snacks and drinks in with you. Make a habit of doing this and you will save a fortune!
What do you think of our ten ways to save money at the cinema? Do you know any others? Leave a comment below!
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[…] A brilliant twist on the classic cinema date. Backyard Cinema is an immersive cinema experience best known for taking over the Capital Studios is Wandsworth. Take your pick from two themed movie theatres alongside epic street food and bars, giving you plenty of opportunity to chat and relax before or after seeing the movie. Generally showing older films rather than something new, it’s a great way to catch a classic you and your date love on the big screen. However, this is no average cinema experience. You’ll have to travel through an immersive world to get to the screen first which is also themed. In the summer, you might be headed to Miami beach for fabulous cocktails and real sand under your toes. By winter, you’ll be choosing between the snow kingdom or the winter garden with Christmas films on show as well. Another awesome bonus is you’ll be relaxing into super comfy bean bags – just try not fall asleep that won’t impress your lover! Now, I would say that Backyard Cinema is a bit of a spend up so maybe this is a once a year treat and we keep the regular cinema for the rest of the year. If you want some tips on saving money at the cinema, check out this great article: 10 Ways to Save Money at the Cinema. […]