Ask the Readers: Do You See Movies in the Theater?
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It's always nice to escape reality by watching a movie. Whether you are a fan of action, comedy, romance, or horror, movies can provide an escape from everyday life. Some people like to see movies in the theaters while others are deterred by the high ticket prices and opt to wait to see movies on DVD.
Do you see movies in the theater? Or do you prefer to wait until they come out on DVD? Why?
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Going to the movies is definitely my favorite budget buster. I do make sure I always catch the matinees though to try to keep the cost down as much as possible.
Maybe twice a year. It's expensive, too loud, and crowded. And the movies are not really that good. Not a good value.
I used to LOVE seeing movies in the theater, but the quality of "blockbuster" hits has gotten so bad, and technology at home has gotten so good, that I prefer to stay in my apartment, where the food is good, drinks are available, the floors aren't so sticky and I can stick with quirky documentaries that I can't find in theaters.
My boyfriend and I will go to the movies in order to see independent films/short film collections that are hard to find when they do eventualy make it on DVD (Redbox, library, etc).
For larger production house films, we typically wait for the DVD; unless we truly believe that the in-theatre experience will improve our viewing opportunity. That typically only happens 3-5 times a year. The first one of 2012 will be Hunger Games.
Finally, when we do go, we tend to stick to mantinees. The lower ticket price helps to ease the pain of the popcorn purchase price.
Very rarely do I see movies in the theater. I usually get the DVD, or wait for it to come on tv. This summer, one of my favorite books was made into a movie. I went to the theater with my daughter and we made it a whole night out. It was probably the first time in three years I was in the theater.
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Yes, I see them in the theatre occasionally but it has to really be worth the money!
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I go to the theater rarely. I usually go with friends during the summer to see action films that we think require the full screen and surround sound. Even then, we hit matinees. The last films I watched in the theater were "Red Tails" and "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol."
I usually take advantage of Netflix, which has a greater variety, and Redbox. What's great about my city is that is has an old theater that shows films for $1.50. Some movies are still in mainstream theaters when they hit the bargain theater, so I save a ton and get the same experience.
I often go to see movies in a theater, especially if they are excellent films that have received overall good reviews. I like independent films and good quality stories well told.
we occasionally see movies in the theatre if it's a blockbuster movie that both hubby and i crave to see on the big screen AND if we have a cheap ticket.
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My system is to only go to the theater for movies that I absolutely love, everything else can wait until nefflix or the bargain theatrr.
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I watch most of my movies on DVD, Netflix streaming, or on demand, but if it is a movie I'm really excited about or I know it is one I should see on the big screen (Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) then I'll make the effort. Of course I'll skip the popcorn and drinks. It feels way too gross to spend that much money on a coke.
We go see movies in the theater about once or twice a year. It has become too expensive to go more often than that.
My sister and I see one movie per week in the theatres. Early last year, we purchased a bulk order of movie tickets from the theatre website (so they were cheaper than we'd get at the ticket window). And we made an agreement to go to the movies one weekend day. We switch up who gets to pick the movie and there are no vetoes. :) It's fun to find that you are enjoying a movie that you would not have necessarily picked and it is good bonding/quality time between me and my sister.
I usually see the movie in the theater. Otherwise I will forget that I want to see it, and and never see the movie.
The movie usually has to be extra special for us to go see it in the theater. Most movies we wait until they come out on dvd and then get them out of Redbox.
Seeing a movie in a theatre - $7:50 plus another $6.00 for popcorn and a pop.
Buying a movie on DVD - $12.00.
Getting movies from your local library - free.
Support our local library.
Yes, I usually see movies in the theater because it's usually either a guy paying for it or I get free passes from a website. If I were having to pay, I wouldn't go; tickets are almost the cost of just buying the DVD.
I still do indeed visit the theater. Though primarily for the popcorn (which is terrible for me and outrageously priced) and for movies that require a larger viewing environment. My home theater is nice, but I still cannot duplicate the Theater Bang.
Besides, I need to take my wife out on dates too. It is good for us to get out of the house on occasion.
Not very often.
The short answer is no, because it is too expensive. The real answer is a bit more complex.
I have the privilege of living very inexpensively in the burbs of a nice mid-range city, Raleigh NC. This provides us with a number of options for getting our movie theater fix. How likely we are to hit the theater has a lot to do with the season and weather. Hot weather is easily cut by the "free" AC of the theater, so we may spring for the full on mainstream theater experience. Two of our local movie chains (Regal and Carmike) show low/no cost kids movies during the summer. Not usually anything we haven't seen, but is a nice frugal way to get out of the house. These also tend to be first (10am) showings, so it's really easy to skip the concessions. These free shows are a great way to get playgroups together, and hit a local park for a picnic lunch after, all for a little to no money.
Raleigh also has a $2 theater, showing late-release movies, just prior to DVD release. We tend to use this option most in the fall, to catch some of the Summer Blockbusters we may have missed. On Tuesdays, they even have discounted concessions. We have been known to do a double feature, by picking two movies with back to back run times. Getting the large popcorn and drink, gives for free refills too. Popcorn and soda may not make the best lunch, but can be fun to spend 4+ hours pigging out once in a while. Our "dollar" theater is part of the Carmike franchise, of which we are reward members. Nothing beats racking up reward points at $2 movies, and discount concessions to earn free tickets to use at the "real" theater to catch a summer blockbuster.
Another local option which we love is our local museum system. The science museum in Raleigh plays a free movie the first Friday of every month. These may not the latest and greatest, but we appreciate movies like "The Mummy that Ate my Brain". They really make it fun, educating on cinema, and even have a trivia game after the movie, featuring fun simple prizes.
I know many of these options are very specific to my local, but I hope it encourages you to think outside the box, and explore the area where you live. Finding unexpected options, and creative use of reward programs can go a long way to making the theater experience an affordable option. We may only go to the "real" theater once or twice a year, but we enjoy the movie theater experience 20+ times in a typical year for less then a fancy dinner for two.
It's been a couple of years since I saw a movie in the theater. I'd love to see one occasionally, but I just can't afford it.
I'd rather see a movie in the theater, particularly if it's a blockbuster-type. I take advantage of advance screenings in my area.
I don't go to the theater often. It's just too expensive for my budget. The only exceptions are the occasional summer action flick where the on-screen and surround sound explosions make the price of the tickets (and snacks) a little more worth it. More often, my husband and I just watch movies on Netflix or cable.
i do, but only at matinees, or if i can buy a discounted tix at costco
I can't tell you the last time we went to the movie theater. We prefer to save money and wait for them to appear on DVD - or better yet "free" on our satellite package.
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I usually wait until movies come out on DVD to watch them because I just can't justify the expense of going to the theaters, and I have an almost-1-year-old I'd have to find a babysitter for too.
When we do go to movies, we try to go to the local, small, independent theater. The movies are first run but aren't as expensive as the chain theaters.
YES! My husband and I love movies. It's our "thing." We belong to AMC stub hub and Lincoln Film Society (in NYC). But that said, we do see more movies in theaters over the summer because those tentpole movies usually require a bigger screen than your TV to make the visual effects really come to life. But we do also see art house movies in theaters too if we're really interested in it, and can't wait for DVD.