5 Ways to save when going to the movies

1) My first suggestion would be to find the second run bargain theatre in your area.

The Regency Fairfax Cinemas is located in West Hollywood.  This theatre shows a mix of mainstream Hollywood and independent and foreign films that are out of first run theatres, but not yet on DVD. 

$3.50 Bargain Matinee Films starting before 6pm
$6.00 General Admission All shows starting at and after 6pm
$8.00 Insomniac Cinema!  Friday midnight movies
$4.00 Seniors Age 61 and better after 6pm
$4.00 Children Age 11 and under after 6pm

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Culver Plaza Theatres is the place to go for a bargain if you live in the Culver City or West Los Angeles area.  This theatre also shows a mix of mainstream Hollywood and independent and foreign films that are out of first run theatres, but not yet on DVD. 

$5.00 Bargain Matinee - all shows before 5PM
$4.50 Seniors (60+) - all day
$4.50 Children (ages 2-12) - all day
$7.00 Adults - all shows after 5PM

Come on out all seniors… Culver Plaza Theatres is now bringing you your own special day! Culver’s Special Senior (60+) day is now every Thursday! Every Thursday all day showtimes are only $3.50. This isn’t the only special deal for our seniors. We are also offering our seniors a special concession combo tray (popcorn, fountain drink, and candy) for only $3.00!
Now this is a great deal don’t miss out!

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Flagship Theatres University Village 3 is located in downtown and shows first run movies, mainly mainstream Hollywood offerings.

$4.50 Matinees
$4.50 Children under 12
$4.50 Seniors 55 and over

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The Vista Theatre is located in Los Feliz and was originally built in 1923!  Every other row has been taken out to give you a great amount of leg room.  They also have really cheap prices on current release films.

$5.00 shows before 6pm
$8.00 General admission
$4.00 Seniors and children (under 12)

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2) Consider volunteering!

When I first moved to Los Angeles, I started volunteering at the Egyptian Theatre owned by the American Cinematheque.  Most of the time volunteers get to see the films for free and get a free soda and popcorn as well.  They are always looking for help, so consider signing up.  It is a great way to support their organization and to meet new people.  If you happen to live on the west side of town, you can now volunteer at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica as well.  I also have friends who volunteer at the AFI Film Festival, for the L.A. Film Festival and even at the Sundance Film Festival.  Volunteering at any of these has perks and for those who might be in the film industry, it is also a great way to make new contacts. 

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3) Purchase a discount pass

Many of the repertory/revival theatres in town have memberships or passes available that can save you money.  Here are some of the main ones you might want to consider getting:

-New Beverly Cinema remains one of the most beloved repertory theatres in town.  They now have a discount card that will buy you 8 admissions for only $36.00.  That comes out to only $4.50 per admission.  If this theatre is one of your favorites, then this would be a great way to save some money.  Their regular rates are very low too, especially considering these prices are all for double feautres!

$7.00 General Admission
$6.00 Student w/card
$4.00 Seniors & Kids

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-Silent Movie Theatre aka “Cinefamily” also has a new discount program.

For $25 a month, you get:
* One free admission to all of our screenings.
* Free admission to private members-only screenings.
* A handy membership card.
* One free bucket of popcorn.

For $40 a month, you get:
* One free admission to all of our screenings.
* Two guest passes, good for any screening.
* A handy membership card.
* Two free drinks of any kind.
* Two buckets of popcorn.

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-UCLA Film and Television Archive has moved to the Billy Wilder inside the Hammer Museum and has now inaugurated their “Cineclub.”
Become a member for $60 a year, and receive the following benefits:
$1.00 off the General ticket price;
If a student or senior, $2.00 off the General ticket price;
Free admission to First Mondays preview screenings (10 per year);
Free admission to one additional Archive screening at the Billy Wilder Theater (restrictions apply);
Advance notice for special events.

Please note that Cineclub memberships are available for purchase only at the box office, during regular box office hours.
Unused Cinepass cards will be honored at the Billy Wilder Theater.  Please present card at the box office.

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4) Check out the screenings at museums

Many museums in Los Angeles host film screenings and they are usually very affordable (or free) and are often in conjunction with exhibitions.


LACMA has double features on Friday and Saturday nights for $9.00 and it is only $5.00 if you only wish to attend the second film on the double bill.  They also have a classic Hollywood matinee every Tuesday at 1:00pm for $2.00 General Admission.  The price for Seniors aged 62 and over is only $1.00.  The film ticket often includes entrance to the museum galleries as well.  Make sure to ask about this.


Skirball has free classic Hollywood matinees usually twice a month during the week.  They also have a Cinema Z series that explores the lives of musicians and cultures from around the world.  This series is free as well.  Skirball also has other screenings that usually run for only $6.00 General Admission. 


The Hammer Museum has screenings regularly and their admission is usually free.  They even have cool outdoor screenings in their courtyard during the summer. 


Autry National Center located in Los Feliz, this museum often hosts Gene Autry westerns which are fun for the whole family.  General Admission to their “Dinner and a Movie” series is $18.00 for adults and $8.00 for children, it includes a dinner, a curator led talk, a view of the “Cowboys and Presidents” exhibition and the film. 


The Getty has free screenings on occasion and the view from up there is magnificent.  Their screenings do usually require a reservation and it is $8.00 for parking.

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5) Sign up for the mailing list for your local arthouse

The Laemmle Theatre chain has a “Sneak Preview Club” where you can see upcoming arthouse films for free!  Click here to see the details.  For senior citizens, admission to all Laemmle Theatres before 6:00pm is only $4.00. 


The Landmark Theatre

Celebrate the First Anniversary of The Landmark with Special Events in June!

WEEKDAY HAPPY HOUR SCREENINGS - Enjoy a drink from The Wine Bar while you watch MONGOL, at 5:45 on Fri 6/6, Mon 6/9, & Thu 6/12; and 4:30 on Tue 6/10 & Wed 6/11. Only 21 and over admitted for this show.

FILM CLUB POPCORN COMBO SPECIAL until Thurs, June 12 - All Day
Print out and bring this Film Club Email with you to The Landmark and receive a small popcorn and small soda for only $5 (normally $7.50)!

HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS
Mon-Fri, from 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Celebrate each weekday at The Wine Bar with special drink prices. Enjoy our house beers and wines for $2 off each glass or bottle.
The Summer 2008 edition of Landmark Music is here! For a limited time all Film Club members are eligible to receive a free copy of our new compilation CD featuring music by Portishead, Amos Lee, The Republic Tigers, A Shoreline Dream (featuring Ulrich Schnauss) and more! To get your free CD, drop by any Landmark theatre, tell them you’re a Film Club member and request a copy. No purchase is required, but supplies are limited, so hurry before they’re all gone!

You can also join the Landmark Theatres Film Club to get advance info about upcoming engagements, FREE screening invitations, notifications of filmmaker appearances, and other events at a Landmark Theatre near you!

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If there you have any tips or suggestions of things we can add to the list, write to karie {at} filmradar.com

4 Comments:

1. Karie,

   Thank you so much for this great list and all the hard work borne from the passion you share arising from your love of the cinema. Although my life and my art is taking me away from my strongest love, the flickers, I can be aware of local happenings via your email newsletters.

   Yet without my love of not only old movies, but initially only movie books, my art would not exist. I spent my high school and college years immersed in a handful of wonderful movie books while studying art. I longed to be part of that wonderful world, movies as well as Broadway, and yet neither was really right for me. But the photos mesmerized and fascinated me.

   I couldn’t see the actual films: few revival showings, no VCR or DVD or cable or satellite in those days of yore. So when I saw punk in its infancy, I knew the importance of photographs. Without knowing how to put film into my camera, I started taking photos, praying someday my photos would mean as much to people as movie photos meant to me.

   Movie photos saved my life and inspired me. And now my punk photos inspire so many others. I had no idea until recently the impact of my photos and quite frankly, it exceeds my wildest dreams.

   Best of all, now my coffee-table photo book, “Punk Pioneers” is in the shelves near movie books!

   The irony is now I have no time to go to movies or look at any of the many great new movie books.

   Ain’t that a kick in the head! But I can and do enjoy perusing your wonderful announcements.

   May you receive all the good things you deserve from all your good work!

   And I pray that soon my time will open up and finances will improve, due to all my work, and yet again I’ll be running into you at the Hammer or the Academy or wherever great rare films are being shown.

   Thanks for lighting our way and spreading the joy of all these great events celebrating the Liveliest Art!

   Take care and namaste,
   jenny lens

   Posted by Jenny Lens on 06/12 at 05:24 PM

2. Thanks for the list of interesting theataers.  Do you also curate films?

   Posted by Omonike Akinyemi on 06/16 at 08:15 PM

3. Karie, this is an amazing reference! Thank you!

   When I was a student I was always sorely disappointed with the disappearing student discount at movie theaters. LA students should read this blog posting!

   Posted by Maian on 06/19 at 09:50 AM

4. To Omonike Akinyemi,

   No, I don’t currate films but I’d certainly be open to the idea of doing so someday.

   Posted by Karie (site owner) on 07/07 at 07:13 PM