I truly enjoy going to the movies – alone, with family, with friends, it’s all good. I treated myself to 3 movies alone over the holidays. Amid discussions of the rising cost of going to movie theaters, discovered MoviePass the Movie Subscription Service. For $9.95 per month, see as many 2D movies you like in an estimated 91% of the movie theaters in the US. A month to month service, cancel your subscription at any time. Sound too good to be true? While there are some limitations,here are my thoughts and what you need to know when deciding if MoviePass is for you.
Why I NEED This Service:
All my life a huge fan of going to the movies. An enjoyable escape from the everyday and normal surroundings, nothing like sitting in the dark seeing a story larger than life on the big screen. For a guilty pleasure, indulge in overpriced popcorn and drinks. I enjoy all film genres and a movie theater has always been a fun escape. Sure I can catch a movie when released for streaming or DVD but it is not at all the same experience as how I enjoy viewing in a theater. As ticket prices are at an all time high, our family goes less than we used to.
The good news about MoviePass is it allows seeing ALL the movies for an incredibly low price. Paying so little per movie, indulge in a fountain beverage and fresh popped popcorn for about the same price as if seeing the movie with no snacks without a subscription. MoviePass allows seeing every movie I want. No having to decide which movies are worth paying for and which are for later viewing at home. No movie remorse when a movie doesn’t live up to expectations. A movie here in the ATL area is about $11 give or take, add on indulging in snacks for another $10ish, it adds up.
I LOVE the idea of being able to see ALL the movies when it is convenient for me. After doing some research and polling my Facebook people who had the service, I decided to give myself the gift of a subscription to test it out. For $9.95 per month, definitely worth me paying to try knowing I could cancel if I wanted to. I only wish I had known about it sooner.
Source: MoviePass.com
What Does MoviePass Monthly Service Include:
From terms of service on moviepass.com: A valid MoviePass subscription entitles you to: (1) see one 2D film every 24 hours through MoviePass; (2) see a 2D film title one time through MoviePass; and (3) a single seat, depending on availability, for a 2D film showing open to the general public. This excludes premium showings such as: 3D films, IMAX, 4D, XD and specialty theaters. MoviePass access is available every day of the week, subject to the theater being open, inventory, and usage. Alternative MoviePass subscription plans can include (1) premium plans (3D, IMAX, and specialty formats) and (2) capped plans (limited amount of movies per month).
- The terms state that subscription CAN change without notice and could change or offer a capped plan and a Premium Plan, those are not in place today.
- Today’s $9.95 Plan includes seeing as many films you like in a month, 1 every 24 hours with the clock rolling over from the start time of the last film seen. Example, I saw a movie today at 11am. I cannot use my card earlier than tomorrow at 11am.
- Subscription can purchase a specific film title one time only. Want to see a movie again at the theater? MoviePass does not cover the cost of second or subsequent viewings after using pass for that specific title’s viewing.
- Added July 2018, Peak Pricing surcharges. Peak Pricing charges go into effect when there’s high demand for a movie or showtime. Subscribers may be asked to pay a small fee for a movie ticket depending on the level of demand. This charge is fully disclosed when checking the MoviePass app viewing showtimes, so you know what you are getting into and agree to the charge before you purchase your ticket. You can read about this enhancement and others coming in 2018 here.
Who is Eligible?
US Residents 18 and over are eligible for the subscription service. Subscribers need access to smartphone to download free MoviePass app available in both IOS and Android.
MoviePass App Screenshots: Checking Into Theater, Confirmation Pass is Ready for Purchase
How Does it Work
- Sign up online at moviepass.com and download the moviepass app on your Smartphone. A valid credit card required at time of registration used for recurring monthly billing.
- In about 2 weeks MoviePass debit card arrives via US Post. The MoviePass debit card covers your ticket purchase at the box office.
- With the use of the MoviePass App on your smart phone, you will alert MoviePass you are at a specific theater. You need to be within 100 yards of the theater for the app to recognize you are at theater. Via the app, enter the movie and time you wish to buy your ticket.
- MoviePass will acknowledge that your are ready to purchase your ticket – they have deposited the box office cost of your ticket in your account – how cool is that!
- Head to the box office and use MoviePass card to pay for your ticket. MoviePass pays the full amount for your ticket.
- Remember, when you get confirmation that you can purchase your ticket at the box office, NO guarantee that you are for sure in. If the movie is sold out there is an option on the app to report back. The app simply recognizes you are at the theater and loads your card with the amount you need to pay for your ticket and marks that movie title as viewed unless you tell it you changed your mind or movie sold out.
What is the Catch?
If MoviePass pays for my ticket at full box office admission price, and I can see all the movies I want for $9.95 per month, how can they make any money or stay in business? Last year MoviePass secured funding with a business model growing subscription base with the plans on monetizing on data collected down the road. Yes, the viewing behaviors of a large group of movie goers will certainly be worth something to advertisers.
AMC Theaters reportedly has threatened to pull out of program and a lawsuit. Large chains think the MoviePass current business model and price point cannot sustain itself and will do harm to entertainment industry, so some are waiting it out to sign up. MoviePass has reportedly struck a deal with independent theaters offering money back to MoviePass on subscriber tickets and concession sales. AMC has stated they do not want ticket or concession revenues to go to a third party. Two chains, Landmark and ArcLight are not included.
Keep an eye on Terms and Conditions as they can change. Also check your local theaters offering MoviePass, as some of the largest AMC theaters were recently dropped including:
AMC Century City 15, Los Angeles, CA
AMC Mercado 20, Santa Clara, CA
AMC Disney Springs 24, Lake Buena Vista, FL
AMC Loews Boston Common 19, Boston, MA
AMC River East 21, Chicago, IL
AMC Mission Valley 20, San Diego, CA
AMC Tysons Corner 16, McLean, VA
AMC Veterans 24, Tampa, FL
AMC Loews Alderwood Mall 16, Lynwood, WA
My 2c, Not Recommended/Ideal For:
- Those who must see movies initial screening or opening weekend. Relish the crowds and energy of a full theater? Like to the be the one of the first to view? With advanced seat sales of blockbusters selling out before movie release even hit the theater, you could arrive to a sold out show. Bummer.
- Families or groups – remember the service is for 18 and older only per terms and conditions. Keep in mind each person with a service can only buy their own ticket. Going with your family or a group? Each must purchase each subscriber’s ticket in a separate transaction with their MoviePass. Just a little longer in the box office and there is a chance you might not all be able to sit together since you are purchasing your tickets separately.
- Seeing one movie or less a month on average, doesn’t make sense financially.
- Must see your movies in 3D and/or Imax when available. You will pay out of pocket for these since not included with subscription.
- Prefer to purchase tickets in advance online before leaving home? Like to avoid lines at the box office? MoviePass tickets MUST be purchased at box office. The app will recognize you are there when within 100 feet of the theater.
- Anyone with issues of having data sold of movie habits.
- Worried you won’t be able to cope if the service is suspended seeing less moves and paying much much more.
Great for:
- You want to see all the movies in a theater.
- Tight budget. MoviePass has been $30 per month and $50 per month in large metro areas, the price drop to $9.95 really is a bargain. I saw a movie today early bird price of $9.50. Just one more movie and I will be ahead.
- Wish you could go to the movies more.
- Don’t like dealing with discounts only for certain showing and blackout dates. No blackout dates at MoviePass.
- Like an App which will track all the movies you have seen. MoviePass app includes for your viewing pleasure.
- You are cool with the fact at the current price point and the company operating at a loss. You know things could change…the company could go under, prices could go back up and/or your viewing history will be data shared for the profit of the company.
- Wondering how in the world you will afford all the amazing movies coming out in 2018.
Signing up and receiving card went smoothly for me. I received an email 2 weeks after I registered saying I should have gotten my card and to confirm if card was NOT received. This was last week during our snow/ice and freezing temps, I did not get any mail for 3 days during the week. After confirming I did NOT get card, MoviePass replied back that they would check back in a few days. Sure enough I got my card the next day. Two days after receipt of card, I got another email. My card was activated the next day. I am going to keep a running total of all the movies I see and will keep you posted on how the service works out for me. So far, loving it. I might even start a weekday early morning Mom’s Movie Club! For me, this is a bargain and I fear it will not last long with current business model. But I can dream…and in the meantime enjoy all the movies! Are you a MoviePass Subscriber? Would you be interested in trying it out?
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