As cooler weather approaches and pumpkin spice takes over, we say goodbye to summer and its cheap movie tickets that keep money in your wallet and keep your children busy. In 2023, we saw a ton of theaters offering cheap movie tickets for blockbuster movies! We’re talking $3 movies on National Cinema Day and summer specials at theaters like AMC and Regal Cinemas.
What’s in store for next year? We don’t know any details yet, but we’ll update this post as soon as theaters drop their cheap summer tickets for 2024. To help amp you up for next summer’s deals, here’s a look back at what theaters offered in 2023.
Of course, if you’re more of a Netflix or Disney+ kinda of family, you can always check out streaming services that offer free access.
For smart shopping tips and savings hacks, text HACKS to 57299.
Year-Round Cheap or Free Movie Offers
View free movies all year through Kanopy Kids, thanks to your local library.
This isn’t a movie theater per se, but through select public libraries, colleges, and universities, Kanopy lets you stream ad-free movies year-round. You just need a public library card, and you can view the flicks on a computer, phone, television, or tablet.
With over 1,000 options, you and the kids can incorporate this on your list of fun things throughout the year. The Kanopy Kids division has story time, television series, science/math videos, and of course, movies. For you tired parents, the standard Kanopy website lets you pick from documentaries, foreign films, and award-winning movies.
Related: This idea is also great for road trips! Need some road trip hacks for kids? We gotcha covered.
Cheap Movie Tickets in 2023
National Cinema Day: $4 movie tickets
National Cinema Day returned for a second year on Aug. 27, 2023, and offered discounted tickets nationwide. More than 3,000 theaters, including AMC and Regal (even through Fandango), had $4 movie tickets for National Cinema Day. AMC and Regal also offered small popcorn and soft drink combos for $5 and $4, respectively.
1. AMC Theaters offer $3 and $5 movie tickets — for their
Summer Movie Camp.
For just $3 on Wednesdays or $5 on Saturdays through August 30, 2023 you could see popular movies with AMC Theatres Summer Movie Camp at participating theaters.
- Ticket Price: $3 + tax or $5 + tax
- Showtimes: Check with your local AMC theater.
- Days: Wednesdays or Saturdays
Movies in 2023:
- May 27 – 31: The Land Before Time
- June 3 – 7: DC League of Super-Pets
- June 10 – 14: Minions: The Rise of Gru
- June 17 – 21: Paw Patrol The Movie
- June 24 – 28: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
- June 30 – July 5: Kung Fu Panda
- July 8 – 12: Trolls World Tour
- July 15 – 19: Mummies
- July 22 – 26: The Secret Life of Pets
- July 29 – August 2: Boss Baby: The Family Business
- August 5 – 9: Shrek 2
- August 11 – 16: Sing 2
- August 19 – 23: The Croods: A New Age
- August 26 – 30: Sonic The Hedgehog 2
AMC’s Fan Faves series was $5 every day. No word on if the selection changes throughout the year, but for $5 it’s a pretty cheap movie ticket for kids.
To help kids with autism or a sensory disorder enjoy the theater experience, AMC partnered with the Autism Society to show select movies with lowered sounds and brighter screens through its Sensory Friendly Films program. Showtimes varied by theater.
Sensory Movies:
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
- Fast X
Until August 31, 2023, students could get a small ICEE and small Perfectly Popcorn for $5 at AMC theatres when you presented the Flavor Maker Combo coupon on your phone along with your student ID to the cashier.
2. Cinemark Theatres’ cheap movie tickets for kids — only $1.50 a ticket.
The Summer Movie Clubhouse at Cinemark Theaters ran for eight weeks from June to August, 2023. The cheap movie tickets were only $1.50 each, which was super awesome compared to the regular ticket costs. You also could’ve saved $1 at the register on popcorn and drink combos and kids’ snack packs — no coupon was needed.
- Ticket Price: $1.50 + tax
- Showtimes: 9:30 a.m.
- Days: Wednesdays
Movies in 2023:
- June 21: Minions: The Rise of Gru
- June 28: Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- July 5: Mummies
- July 12: The Bad Guys
- July 19: Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
- July 26: DC League of Super-Pets
- August 2: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
- August 9: Puss & Boots: The Last Wish
3. Get Regal Summer Movie Express tickets for $2.
With the Regal Summer Movie Express you could watch family movies each week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from May 23 through September 6, 2023, for $2 a ticket. Plus, if you joined the free Regal Crown Club loyalty program you got 50% off popcorn every Tuesday!
- Ticket Price: $2+ tax each
- Showtimes: 10 a.m.
- Days: Varied by Regal Theater locations
Movies in 2023:
- May 23 & 24: How to Train Your Dragon, Abominable
- May 30 & 31: The Croods: A New Age, Shrek Forever After
- June 6 & 7: Puss in Boots, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie
- June 13 & 14: Sing, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water
- June 20 & 21: Minions: The Rise of Gru, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
- June 27 & 28: Sonic the Hedgehog, Dora and the Lost City of Gold
- July 4 & 5: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Clifford the Big Red Dog
- July 11 & 12: Sonic the Hedgehog 2, The Paw Patrol
- July 18 & 19: The Bad Guys, Playing with Fire
- July 25 & 26: Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, Sing 2
- August 1 & 2: The Boss Baby: Family Business, Dolittle
- August 8 & 9: Kung Fu Panda 3, Curious George
- August 15 & 16: Minions, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
- August 22 & 23: Shrek, Kung Fu Panda
- August 29 & 30: Trolls World Tour, Despicable Me
- September 5 & 6: Despicable Me 3, Spirit Untamed
4. Harkins Theatres offers movie tickets for $1.
For just $1 per movie, kids and adults could take in eight movies for eight weeks. Harkins Theatres started their annual Summer Movie Fun program in June and movies ran through the end of July. These special showings were only available in the morning, and moviegoers had to purchase tickets at the theater. Kids two years old and younger were free!
- Ticket Price: $1+ tax each
- Showtimes: 9:45 a.m.
- Days: Varied by Harkins Theatres location
Movies in 2023:
- June 5-9: Minions: The Rise of Gru
- June 12-16: Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- June 19-23: The Bad Guys
- June 26-30: The Secret Life of Pets
- July 3-7: DC League of Super-Pets
- July 10-14: Trolls World Tour
- July 17-21: Puss & Boots: The Last Wish
- July 24-28: Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
5. Classic Cinemas has $2 summer movies for kids every Wednesday.
With doors opening at 9 a.m. and showtime at 10 a.m., the Wednesday Morning Movie Series at Classic Cinemas was perfect for early morning risers in 2023. If you had a group of 20 or more, reservations were available during booking. Classic Cinemas is one of many movie theaters that dedicates an auditorium to sensory-friendly films.
- Ticket Price: $2
- Showtimes: 10 a.m.
- Days: Wednesdays
Movies in 2023:
- June 7: The Mitchells vs the Machine
- June 14: Trolls World Tour
- June 21: Lyle Lyle Crocodile
- June 28: Minions: The Rise of Gru
- July 5: Paddington 2
- July 12: DC League of Super Pets
- July 19: Puss & Boots: The Last Wish
- July 26: The Amazing Maurice
- Aug. 2: Mummies
- Aug. 9: Surprise Movie!
6. Buy cheap movie tickets for $3 at Marcus Theatres’ Kids Dream Summer Film Series.
In June of 2023, Marcus Theatres’ Kids Dream Summer Film Series launched their $3 popcorn and drink specials. They also offered other discount rates for seniors, students, and anyone over the age of 60 on Marcus Theatres’ Special Offers page.
- Ticket Price: $3
Movies in 2023:
- June 13-June 17: Shrek 2
- June 20-June 24: The Bad Guys
- June 27-July 1: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
- July 4-8: The Amazing Maurice
- July 11-July 15: Minions: Rise of Gru
- July 18-July 22: Mummies
- July 25-July 29: DC League of Super Pets
- August 1-August 5: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
7. Megaplex Theaters offers a cheap movie ticket pass for $10.
For just $10, you and your brood could’ve watched some family favorites through Megaplex Theatres’ Kids Summer Movie series. The movie pass was $10 — good for kids and adults — and it gave you access to 10 movies for 10 weeks at 10 a.m. With this cheap movie ticket deal, moviegoers saved 33%. With each pass, one guest could go to up to 10 different movies. Additional tickets to individual movies were just $1.50 each.
You could buy the pass online, link it to your MyMegaRewards account, and book your reserved seats.
- Ticket Price: $10 for the all-summer pass or $1.50 each
- Showtimes: 10 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. for sensory-friendly
Refer to the Megaplex 2023 kids summer movies schedule to view dates, movie titles, and locations to get an idea of what to expect for summer 2024.
8. Enjoy free movie days (Tuesdays – Thursdays) at Phoenix Big Cinemas.
How about a free summer movie for kids and a kiddie meal? Well, in 2023, Phoenix Theatres Entertainment had this magic duo starting in May through the first week in August at select theaters. All ages are welcome, and doors open at 9 a.m.
- Ticket Price: Free
- Showtimes: 10 a.m.
- Days: Tuesday – Thursday
Movies in 2023:
- May 30-June 1: Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
- June 6-June 8: The Angry Birds Movie 2
- June 14-June 15: Hotel Transylvania 3
- June 20-June 22: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
- June 27-June 29: Goosebumps 2
- July 4-July 6: The Croods: New Age
- July 11-July 13: Trolls World Tour
- July 18-July 20: Despicable Me
- July 25-July 27: Sing 2
- August 1-August 3: The Bad Guys
9. Get a free Fandango movie ticket when you spend $35 at Applebee’s.
Through July 19, 2023, customers who spent $35 – $70 in one transaction at participating Applebee’s received a free Fandango movie ticket to see Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Diners who spent $70 or more at Applebee’s, got two tickets! To claim your free ticket (emailed promo code) you had to enter your receipt information at ActivateRewards.com. This promo code expired on Aug. 2, 2023, and there was a limit of four movie tickets per person. Visit ActivateRewards.com for full details.
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