You're Doing it Wrong: Going to the Movies

Movies in Chicago can easily cost $12+ per person and I think that’s a travesty.

You probably already know some of the basic cheap ticket hacks:

1. Use your student ID (even if you aren’t a student anymore!)
2. Attend a cheaper matinee showing

But let’s say you lost your student ID and only tend to have time to see movies at night. What can you do to keep the cost down in this category of entertainment?

A few awesome alternatives exist.

Advanced Screenings

Most movie studios run limited-attendance/dates advance screenings days or weeks before their major motion pictures’ official release dates in theaters. You need to sign up for alerts from these two places to have first dibs on those little golden tickets:

If you want to go straight to the source, you can also sign up for new screening alerts from the studios themselves:

Alright, alright. Let’s say that’s still not enough for you. You want to see a movie whenever you want and not pay the Chicago premium. I have another solution for you.

Moviepass. Heard of it?

Basically you pay $30-35 each month and can see one movie every 24 hours. Most theaters accept Moviepass, but you can check the website for participating theaters to make sure there’s one close enough to you to make it worth it. If you see more than two movies a month, Moviepass is definitely worth the cost. You can try it free for two weeks to see if it’s worth it before committing!

Last but not least, here’s one final option for you to enjoy movies on the cheap.

The Brew and View at the Vic

Brew & View at the Vic (source: http://www.mashupmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/brewview.jpg)

The Brew and View features movies that are past their prime at the regular theaters. If you’re not one to easily bow to instant gratification, this could be a huge money saver for you. The Brew and View is located in Lakeview and is part of a venue sometimes used for concerts. There are limited movie times, so you have to plan accordingly. But, for $5, you don’t have much room to complain. Plus, they have Groupons all the time.

Did I miss any major cheap-movie going opportunities? Or have you used any of these options and have something to say? Sound off in the comments!