Wonder why the malls are so crowded during the summer? It has nothing to do with summer sales or even people-watching. I'm convinced that it's for the air conditioning. And now you can beat the heat AND be entertained (by something other than teenagers making-out, and old men wearing bermuda shorts and knee-high socks): many local and national movie theaters provide kid-friendly movies, for free or at discounted prices, all summer long! Have a toddler and want to take him to his first film? This is a cheap way to experiment and see if he's ready! If you have to leave because he's managing to scream even louder than everyone else, it's not a big deal since it cost so little. You may not even make him pay you back. This will be a fun, easy way for my daughter to spend just a little of her allowance and save the rest (um, once I start giving her an allowance - that's another post). Granted, these aren't first-run movies. But, kids can see a movie ten times and still act as if it's their first time. Besides, I rarely make it to the movies these days anyway, so it'll be first-run for us.
There are nearly a dozen movie theaters across the nation participating in the summer discounted movies. I've listed just a couple of them here. Check your local theater or the web for others, and save that extra money for the price of gas to get there.
AMC Summer Movie Camp: Movies only $1. Wednesdays at 10AM, from June 17th to August 5th. All admission proceeds benefit Variety – The Children's Charity and the Will Rogers Institute. Add a KidsPack of popcorn, snack and drink for only $3, and you just fed and entertained your kid for under $5 bucks. Super Mommy status for sure.
* Their summer line-up includes Space Chimps, Kung Fu Panda, Spiderwick Chronicles, Nim's Island, and other kid and animated films.
From June 16th until August 19th, Cinemark theaters are showing kid movies twice a week, for just $1 each show. To sweeten the deal, and have even more leftover for that expensive box of popcorn, you can buy an advance pass for all ten movies for only $5. That's a movie for only $0.50! Seriously, the cost of the air conditioning you get for that 90 minutes is worth way more than that. I'd actually never heard of Cinemark, but apparently they are in California, just not near me. They are across America. Since I'm feeling all sunny and cheery, and because I have readers across the country (which excites me to no end), I'll let you click here to find the Cinemark near you.
* Their summer line-up includes Spongebob, Veggie Tales, Nanny McPhee, Tale of Despereaux, Madagascar 2, Horton Hears a Who (one of my favorites), and other family-friendly shows.
FREE G and PG-rated films can be seen at Regal Cinemas, and United Artists and Edwards theaters, which are owned by Regal. They are shown every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10AM.
Check the website to find out what movies are playing each week. Their summer line-up may include Kit Kittredge: American Girl, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, Igo, Surf's Up, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and others.
Because free food taste better, and free/cheap movies get more stars. At least from where I'm sittin'.
I love these promotions -- there are also several theaters that do a special needs free showing where turn the volume way down for those with sensory issues and have no expectations of kids sitting down and being quiet. I've heard great things about those but haven't been myself. Yet.
Posted by: Michelle | Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 08:04 PM
Thanks, these are great! If I wasn't going to be in an office during that time, I would be there with my little ones. This deal can't be beat!
Posted by: Trisha | Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 10:24 PM
I love dollar cinemas. Back in our early twenties me and my girlfriends would go to the very latest show at night after there was nothing else to do and we were all tired out!
Posted by: Roseanna Cannaday | Saturday, October 03, 2009 at 03:46 PM