Last year, I discovered that I enjoy going to see some of the recent movies, especially the relatively new 3D movies.
Initially I resisted going to see the newer style of 3D movies since in the past when I went to 3D movies they always gave me a headache both during and after the movie was over. With the new 3D style of glasses though, it’s different! The visual effects are much more real and for once I actually enjoy watching 3D movies. While my eyes are tired (that’s the best way that I can describe it) after the 3D movies end, I don’t have the piercing headaches like I did in the past.
The costs of going to see a 3D movie (with your significant other) can run you over $40. However, it’s worth it if you keep your visits out at the movie theater to only a few times a year.
Today, I’m going to reveal the process that I follow to pick a movie to see for the best bang for my buck.
My Steps to Pick a Night Out At The Movies
- First the movie has to be a movie that either my spouse or the entire family would find interesting (although, I do occasionally go with my friends to have a guy’s night out, especially when it’s a testosterone packed movie)
- I always consult the most excellent website called “Internet Movie Database” at www.imdb.com. What’s special about this site is the fact that regular people like you and I go and rate the movie. So as you can imagine, I only go see a movie after it’s been out a few week. That way the ratings at www.imdb.com is a decent average of all of those who saw the movie and left a review. If the movie isn’t rated at least a 7, we don’t go to see it in the movie theaters.
- I prefer to go to late in the day matinée movies. This enables me to get out of the movie theater when it’s starting to get dark. Then we go to a nice dinner to cap off the evening.
- If possible, I try to see movies during the weekdays during matinée times. This doesn’t happen often, but we do find that movie theaters are less crowded, and especially when going out to dinner afterwards. I hate to wait in lines for dinner, generally it’s a waster of time.
- Generally, we like to go to the movies during the winter seasons. The summer seasons are too full of kid’s sports activities and enjoying the great weather.
- We have been known to sneak food into the theater occasionally. Keep it a secret though, I don’t want people to think I’m cheap… or do I? We do this about 50% of the time.
- If the kids aren’t going, we usually schedule the trip to the movie theater while the kids are on a sleep over at the grandparent’s or a friend’s house.
- And finally, sometime we wait a few months for the movie to come out at our local dollar theater or drive-in. This is truly the best bang for the buck.
And there you have it!
Cheers,
MR
You’re not alone in the food-sneaker group. We frequent dollar theaters and bring our own snacks. It’s the difference between spending $10 versus $50 or $60 bucks.
I didn’t even consider the kids in my cost. I can see where it would easily be that high!
Theater’s are sooooo overpriced. Maybe I’ll get one of those 3D TV’s some day (lol).
We tend to watch for deals on the coupon sites. We have often gotten the 2 for 1 deal which helps a lot.
Like you we really like the 3d movies. In fact, these seem to be the only movies we go to.
Winter months are indeed great months for movies. It’s ironic that (in addition to the holiday season), the early summer months are also when the big movies come out in theaters…
Good point! You would think that would be the time that everybody gets out and enjoys the weather. Although I have heard that Texas and warmer states stay inside when it’s the summer months because it’s too hot.
I am not a big fan of 3D movies….but hey–to each their own! My fiancee’s nephew went to one and poor kid couldn’t fit into the glasses. They kept falling off him. Ha. But I love go to the matinee’s — perhaps because I am cheap, but hey….same movie for a fraction of the cost!
lol@ sneaking food! I can certainly relate 🙂
I just hate the in-your-face “rip you off” prices!
We pretty much have the same approach with IMDB but we also watch the trailer to zoom in on our choice.
i like winters as well because you can wear big thick coats and hide all kinds of goodies to eat inside !!!!
Ah, good point Sunil!
My wife brings her “BIG” purse when we go to the theater and it’s not cold enough for the big coats 😉
So Don, Do you find the lack of headaches from just the past year or so? I went to see Avatar and loved it, but I couldn’t keep my glasses on my head hurt so much…..I kept taking them on and off the whole movie.
I haven’t seen another 3D movie since, but if they’ve improved I’d consider it. Or do you mean they’ve improved since 10-15 years ago?
Last movie that I saw was in 2010.
I have the same experience, but my eyes are just tired. In long movies like Avatar (I saw this on in the movie theater too) I have to take my glasses off for a bit too. It ruins a bit of the experience, but I’m afraid my tired eyes would escalate to a headache.
But in the one eye blue and one eye red 3D days, I almost always got a headache right quick.
And you know….now that I think about it…I actually bought a 3D TV. But I got it mainly because the picture was so much better for 2D…I haven’t even used the 3D yet. I wonder if they have new “headache-free” glasses at home!
Not sure. I heard they are working on a 3D TV that doesn’t require any glasses at all. That would be a hoot!
Most of the movies we see are kids movies, and they have a kanck wanting to go to the trick IMAX 3D specials. They are visually amazing, and very expensive. If we don’t sneak-food, like you and 101C, it can cost $100 for the 5 of us. That’s a big outlay, and makes my Roku even more legendary.
I honestly don’t get out to the theaters much anymore. I have kids and a mortgage, school etc. The snacks are exorbitantly expensive, and it’s a hassle getting everyone into the car. Especially during the winter months. Thankfully, DISH just released the Blockbuster Movie Pass!! I got it through work at DISH, but any customer who subscribes gets access to over 100,000 titles!! It’s inexpensive, available by mail, in-store or streaming live, AND it comes with 20 additional HD channels!! If you love movies, but are on a tight budget, this is a lifesaver!!