Cinema deals, tips & tricks
Cheap cinema tickets for Cineworld, Odeon, Vue & more
Going to the cinema isn’t as affordable as it once was. Watching the newest blockbuster films can cost up to £20 just for a single ticket – scarier than a low-budget horror flick. This guide offers discounts and strategies to help you save at the movies as often as James Bond saves the day, including five Vue tickets for £22, a year of 2-for-1 tickets for just £1, and plenty of other deals.
Quickly check which cinema deals you can use on a particular day
Our goal is to help you easily find the best offer, whether you’re limited to visiting the cinema on specific days or just need details on when a particular deal is available.
In the table below, you’ll find various deals offered throughout the week. Simply choose a deal to view all the details, including how to redeem it and any restrictions that apply.
Top deals available each day
Deals & tricks for multiple cinema chains
Here are the best tips and deals you can use at various cinema chains or independent theaters. We’ll dive into specific deals for individual chains later on.
1 – Trick to get a YEAR’s 2for1 cinema tickets for about £1 – including new releases
For years, a clever Russian meerkat and his buddy Sergei have brought widespread attention to Meerkat Movies. By purchasing select insurance, switching utilities, or applying for a financial product through the comparison platform Compare The Market, you’ll be rewarded with 2-for-1 cinema tickets every Tuesday or Wednesday for an entire year.
Cinema ticket offers like 2-for-1 should never be the sole reason for picking products like insurance. Instead, use other comparison platforms and our insurance guides to ensure you’re getting the best value. That said, if Compare The Market doesn’t offer the most affordable or suitable option for your needs, we have a clever workaround to help you still enjoy the 2-for-1 movie deal…
What’s the most affordable item you can purchase to be eligible for Meerkat Movies?
You can purchase a one-day UK travel insurance policy for just one person. If the insurance is extremely affordable, you can opt for a single-day policy even when you’re not actively traveling or in need of it, simply to qualify for the 2-for-1 offer.
During a search on Compare The Market conducted on Friday, August 16, the lowest-priced single-trip travel insurance we found was £1.01.
At this cost, the insurance is significantly cheaper than buying a second cinema ticket, meaning you’ll likely save money even if you only use the offer once.
Meerkat Movies can be used at many cinemas throughout the UK, including major chains like Cineworld, Odeon, and Vue, as well as various independent cinemas, though not every location participates. If you’re unsure, it’s best to confirm with your local cinema before visiting. Unlike some other cinema deals, this offer is valid for the newest blockbuster films.
Meerkat Movies need-to-knows
- To be eligible for a Meerkat Movies & Meals membership, you must buy one of the following products through Compare The Market: car, motorcycle, home, van, pet, landlord, life, home contents, or travel insurance. You can also qualify by taking out a credit card, loan, or by switching your energy, digital TV, or broadband provider.
- Please note, activation can take at least 48 hours, so the 2for1 offer may not be available for use on the same day you activate your membership.
- The 2for1 membership lasts for a year, starting from the date of your initial purchase. If you make further purchases during that 12-month period, your membership will be extended, based on the most recent purchase date.
For more details on what’s included and how to use the offer, check out the Meerkat Movies & Meals deals.
2 – Six free Odeon or Vue tickets with a Club Lloyds account
Lloyds Bank offers its Club Lloyds account holders the opportunity to receive six complimentary tickets to either Odeon or Vue cinemas each year, with a typical value ranging from £30 to £90 based on the location. The account itself incurs no fees, provided you make a minimum deposit of £2,000 each month; otherwise, a fee of £3 per month applies.
Each year that you maintain the account, you can redeem these free cinema tickets. Alternatively, you may opt for a year’s subscription to Disney+, a membership to Coffee Club and Gourmet Society, or an annual magazine subscription.
When you log into your Club Lloyds account, you can select six tickets for Odeon or Vue on the ‘Choose Your Benefit’ page. These tickets can be redeemed for either 2D or 3D films and are valid for a period of 12 months.
While we’re focusing on Lloyds for their complimentary cinema tickets, it’s worth noting that other banks are providing substantial cash bonuses for account switching. Check out our Best Bank Accounts guide to find the right account for your needs.
Club Lloyds account info
Minimum pay-in: £2,000 a month (£3 a month fee if you pay in less)
Interest: 1.5% AER variable on the first £4,000, 3% AER variable on the next £1,000 and 0% on everything above £5,000 (at least two monthly direct debits are needed to get the interest)
Arranged overdrafts: 39.9% EAR variable (first £50 is at 0%)
3 – Up to 40% off tickets via Lidl Plus – but always check it against other deals
New and existing users of the free Lidl Plus app (Android/iOS) can register with The Cinema Society to get vouchers giving up to 40% off cinema tickets.
The vouchers are valid for use at various cinemas, including Odeon, Vue, Showcase, Empire, Reel Cinemas, Scott Cinemas, Savoy Cinemas, and Grosvenor Glasgow and Perth Playhouse. However, it’s important to note that they are not applicable in Northern Ireland.
How it works
- To take advantage of this offer, log into the Lidl Plus app and navigate to the ‘Partner offers’ section. From there, select the option for ‘Up to 40% off cinema tickets.’
- Make sure to click ‘Redeem this offer’ by Saturday, October 5. After that, you’ll need to sign up on The Cinema Society website.
- Next, pick your desired cinema and purchase a discounted voucher (which will be sent to your email). You can then use this voucher to obtain a cinema ticket either at the box office or online, depending on the specific cinema’s policy.
You can purchase a maximum of 10 vouchers each day, allowing you to share them with family and friends. Typically, these vouchers remain valid for a minimum of six months and can be redeemed for any movie at any time. However, be sure to review the terms and conditions, as there may be exceptions. See The Cinema Society for more information.
Although it provides discounts of up to 40% on tickets, these offers are calculated based on ‘peak-time’ pricing
Essentially, this refers to the highest full-price ticket available at each cinema. Therefore, it’s advisable to compare these deals with other options to ensure you’re actually saving money, particularly if you’re planning to watch a film during non-peak hours.
4 – ‘Free’ cinema ticket for someone accompanying a disabled person
If you have a disability and require additional support at the movies, you can obtain a CEA Card from the UK Cinema Association for £6 per year. This card entitles you to a complimentary ticket for a companion every time you visit most cinemas. To claim the free ticket, you must purchase a full-priced ticket for yourself for the same screening.
You can apply for a CEA Card online or by post. Eligibility requires that you are receiving one of the following: Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, or Armed Forces Independence Payment. Alternatively, you may qualify if you have a registration for Severely Sight Impaired or Sight Impaired.
According to the UK Cinema Association, approximately 90% of cinemas recognize this card, including major chains like Cineworld, Odeon, and Vue—check for participating cinemas in your area. Make sure to have your card with you when making a reservation.
The above deals can be used at multiple cinemas, but we’ve split up the next part of this guide by chain-specific offers.
Jump to Cineworld | Odeon | Showcase | Vue
Cineworld & Picturehouse deals
100 cinemas across the UK – find your nearest
See also: Year’s 2for1 cinema tickets for about £1 trick
Picturehouse cinemas (25 locations across England and Scotland) are part of the same group as Cineworld, so some offers can be used at both chains – we’ve made it clear below where that’s the case.
1 – Swap Tesco Clubcard vouchers for double the value on Cineworld & Picturehouse tickets
If you have Tesco Clubcard vouchers, you can apply them to tickets for Cineworld or Picturehouse cinemas*. By doing so, you’ll receive double the value compared to using them at Tesco. For every 50p in Clubcard vouchers, you will obtain £1 when converted into a Cineworld or Picturehouse code.
With a minimum of £10 in Clubcard vouchers, you can also use them for a Cineworld Unlimited* card, effectively doubling your value—meaning £10 turns into £20. See our other top picks to use your Clubcard points on.
Tesco Clubcard cinema need-to-knows
- You can redeem Clubcard vouchers starting from a minimum of 50p, which gives you a £1 reward for Cineworld or Picturehouse tickets. For Cineworld Unlimited, the minimum exchange is £10, yielding a £20 reward.
- When you redeem your vouchers for Cineworld or Picturehouse, you’ll receive an email containing a voucher code. Please note that these vouchers cannot be used for phone bookings; instead, you can either book online (with a booking fee ranging from 70p to 95p for each ticket) or print the voucher to take it to the cinema for redemption.
- There is no restriction on the number of vouchers each customer can exchange.
- Additionally, Clubcard voucher codes remain valid for a duration of six months.
2 – £3 Cineworld or Picturehouse ticket Friday to Sunday for Three mobile customers
If you’re a Three mobile customer who enjoys watching films at Cineworld or Picturehouse, you can obtain a code for a £3 adult cinema ticket through the Three+ rewards app. This offer is valid for any 2D movie and can be redeemed once a week at any time during Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
How to claim a £3 Cineworld or Picturehouse ticket
- To access your reward code, search for ‘Cineworld’ or ‘Picturehouse’ in the Three+ app and tap on ‘Get Reward.’ When you’re set to redeem your code, click on ‘Use reward code now.’
- You can redeem the code online at Cineworld (which has a £0.95 booking fee) or Picturehouse (with a £0.70 booking fee), or simply present the code at the box office to avoid any booking fees.
The codes remain valid until 11:59 PM on Sunday. If you need a code for the next weekend, you can obtain a new one starting at 12:01 AM on Monday.
Excluded screenings
VIP/premium seating, 3D, IMAX, 4DX, Superscreen, ScreenX – although you can upgrade to these when booking for an additional fee.
3 – Two Cineworld or Picturehouse tickets for £10 (plus booking fees)
Wowcher is currently offering a special promotion where you can purchase two tickets for either Cineworld or Picturehouse for just £10, which includes a 99p administrative fee. This offer is valid until Monday, September 9, and the tickets will remain usable until Monday, December 9.
During our attempt to redeem this deal, we faced issues on desktop but successfully used it on mobile devices.
These tickets can be utilized on any day for any 2D film, but keep in mind that both tickets must be used simultaneously.
After purchasing the deal through Wowcher, you will receive a code via email. This code can be redeemed online at Cineworld or Picturehouse, though an additional booking fee will apply—95p for Cineworld and 70p for Picturehouse.
Participating cinemas
Cineworld tickets are valid at all locations except for Bedford, Glasgow Parkhead, Dublin, Hinchley, Loughborough, Yate, Swindon Regent Circus, and London Leicester Square.
4 – Some can pay just £11 a month for unlimited movies at Cineworld but it’s a location lottery
Cineworld’s Unlimited membership allows you to see as many movies as you want at its cinemas.
For some individuals, the monthly fee may be as low as £10.99, though many will face higher charges. The availability of the cheapest Unlimited membership rates hinges on your location and your willingness to restrict your membership to specific cinemas.
Cinemas are categorized into four distinct groups (you can find a list of which cinemas belong to each group below), and your Unlimited membership allows access only to cinemas within your designated group and those in lower groups without any extra fees. For instance, a membership priced at £16.99 for ‘Group 2’ grants access to all cinemas in ‘Group 2’ as well as those in ‘Group 1.’
5 – £2.50 child AND adult tickets for selected Cineworld screenings
Experience ‘Cineworld Movies for Juniors‘ screenings, where tickets are available for just £2.50 for children (aged 14 and under) and their accompanying adults during weekends and school holidays. If you choose to book online, please note there is a £0.95 fee for each ticket.
Instead of the latest blockbuster releases, these screenings typically feature films that have been released recently or in the past. The selection may differ from one cinema to another, so be sure to check Cineworld for the latest listings.
6 – £4.50 tickets for over 60s for a selected screening every Wednesday at three cinemas
If you are 60 years old or older, you can enjoy a £4.50 ticket for a selected screening every Wednesday at three Cineworld venues as part of the ‘CineSeniors‘ program (see the link for the movie lineup this week). According to Cineworld, attendees will also receive complimentary hot drinks and biscuits. Please note that if you book online, a £0.95 fee will apply per ticket.
The three Cineworld locations involved are Boldon Tyne and Wear, Poole, and Swindon Shaw Ridge.
Odeon deals
113 cinemas across the UK – find your nearest
See also: Year’s 2for1 cinema tickets for about £1 trick
1 – Two Odeon tickets for £8 to any 2D movie on any day for some Vodafone and Voxi phone customers
Vodafone mobile users have the opportunity to purchase two Odeon tickets for just £8, or two Odeon Luxe tickets for £13, allowing them to watch any 2D film each week via the My Vodafone app. To qualify, customers must be on a Vodafone pay-monthly or small business plan. Pay-as-you-go users can also participate, provided they have topped up by at least £10 in the past 60 days.
Additionally, Voxi mobile customers can take advantage of a similar promotion through the ‘Voxi Drop’ rewards program, although this offer is limited to one use per month rather than weekly.
How to get the deal if you’re with Vodafone
- Download or sign in to the free My Vodafone App, select the ‘Rewards’ button to access a list of available offers and choose the Odeon deal.
- You’ll be given a code which is valid for six hours – you can use this code to book at the box office (no booking fee), or online at Odeon (£1 booking fee).
You’ll be able to claim the offer once a week, but Vodafone says it’s limited to 15,000 redemptions each week.
How to get the deal if you’re with Voxi
This offer is valid at all Odeon cinemas, excluding Luxe Leicester Square and Luxe & Dine Islington. If you’re interested in attending a premium screening (like IMAX or Recliner Plus), an additional upgrade fee will apply.
One of the standout features of this deal is its applicability to any 2D film, available every day of the week, including weekends when discounts are not commonly found. However, depending on the ticket prices at your nearest Odeon, you might find a more advantageous offer on a Tuesday or Wednesday with Meerkat Movies.
2 – Two Odeon tickets for £10 for Amazon Prime members each month
If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you can obtain a code that allows you to purchase two Odeon tickets for £10* or two Odeon Luxe recliner tickets for £15. This offer is available once each month and the tickets can be used for any 2D showing from Monday to Thursday.
How to claim the offer
- To take advantage of this Amazon Odeon* promotion, click on the provided link (ensure you are logged into your Amazon Prime account). You’ll receive a Prime offer code that remains valid for 30 minutes.
- Next, go to the Odeon website or use the app to select your movie for a showing scheduled from Monday to Thursday. Enter your code in the section labeled ‘Have a special code?’ Please note that there is no booking fee associated with this offer.
This deal is applicable at all Odeon cinemas, with the exception of Luxe Leicester Square and Luxe & Dine Islington. If you choose to attend a premium screening, such as IMAX or Recliner Plus, an additional upgrade fee will be required.
3 – Save up to 60% when signing up to MyOdeon for free
Register for a free MyOdeon account to enjoy discounted tickets all day on Monday and during select screenings from Tuesday to Sunday at various cinemas—check for locations that are not included in this offer.
For instance, upon our review, becoming a MyOdeon member allowed us to purchase tickets for Barbie at Milton Keynes for just £6, compared to the regular price of £14, resulting in a savings of 57%.
With a MyOdeon membership, you have the flexibility to reserve seats at the cinema or through the website. However, Odeon guarantees that members will always enjoy lower ticket prices when purchasing online compared to buying directly at the box office.
For the best ticket prices, log in to your MyOdeon account and check for the yellow ‘MyOdeon Saver’ banner next to the showtime. By selecting the MyOdeon Saver ticket during your booking, this discount will apply to all tickets within the same transaction, allowing friends and family to take advantage of the savings as well.
4 – £5 tickets for any movie, any time at 35 Odeon cinemas
Join MyOdeon for free to access tickets for any standard 2D screening, available at any time and on any day of the week, starting from just £5 at 35 participating Odeon cinemas. You can view the complete list of these locations. To take advantage of the discounted tickets, be sure to book online (note that the price includes a £1 booking fee). Purchasing tickets directly at the cinema will cost you £6.50.
5 – See unlimited movies from £15 per month with MyLimitless membership (or from £149 for a year)
Odeon offers a membership program called ‘MyLimitless’ that lets you enjoy unlimited access to standard 2D films at its theaters each month. There are two membership options available:
- The £14.99 monthly ‘MyLimitless’ membership grants access to any of Odeon’s standard cinemas (excluding Luxe).
- The £17.99 monthly ‘MyLimitless Plus’ membership provides access to all Odeon Luxe cinemas and includes upgrades for premium seating and screens.
Please note that a minimum commitment of three months is required for those choosing the monthly payment plan.
Save 17% if you know you’ll want it for a year
If you plan to utilize it throughout the entire year, opting for an annual membership is more cost-effective. The fee for MyLimitless (excluding Luxe) is £149, averaging £12.42 per month. Meanwhile, for MyLimitless Plus (which includes Luxe), the cost is £179, averaging £14.92 per month.
6 – £2.75 child AND adult tickets for selected screenings
‘Odeon Kids‘ screenings provide £2.75 tickets for children aged 14 and under, as well as for accompanying adults, available on weekends and during school holidays. Each week, Odeon features a limited selection of films—typically one to three—marked as ‘Kids.’ For the latest listings, check the Odeon website.
7 – See ‘mystery’ movie preview screenings for about £6 via Odeon Screen Unseen
If you’re eager to get an early look at a movie before its official release, consider a far superior option to watching a sketchy illegal recording made with a camcorder.
For those who enjoy surprises, Odeon offers preview screenings of forthcoming films for just £6 when booked online with a complimentary MyOdeon membership (or £7 at the cinema). If you don’t have a MyOdeon membership, tickets are available for £7 online and £8 in the cinema.
The twist is that you won’t find out which film you’re watching until the screening begins
Odeon has announced that it will consistently offer films rated from ‘U’ to ’15’, explicitly avoiding the horror genre, which will be exclusive to its separate Scream Unseen series.
Past titles featured in Screen Unseen include Wicked Little Letters, Cat Person, Free Guy, Another Round, Parasite, Extra Ordinary, and Booksmart. Given this lineup, it’s likely that you shouldn’t anticipate a blockbuster on the scale of the Avengers. However, if you enjoy going to the movies, this could be an enjoyable opportunity to snag a budget-friendly ticket.
See Odeon Screen Unseen for which date the next screening will take place.
8 – £3.50 tickets for over 60s for selected ‘Silvers’ screenings
If you’re 60 or older, you can enjoy a £3.50 ticket for specific screenings by being a free MyOdeon member and booking online. If you’re a MyOdeon member and book in person, the ticket price is £4.50. For those without MyOdeon membership, tickets are priced at £4 for online bookings and £5 for purchases made at the cinema.
Additionally, Odeon offers complimentary tea, coffee, and biscuits prior to the start of the film. Check out Odeon Silvers for details on upcoming screenings and showtimes.
Vue deals
90 cinemas across the UK – find your nearest
See also: Year’s 2for1 cinema tickets for about £1 trick
1 – New. Five Vue tickets for £22 (or two for £9.50, 10 for £40) – for any 2D movie till 3 October
You can find affordable Vue tickets on the deals platform Groupon* for any 2D movie screening until Thursday, October 3. Titles available include Deadpool & Wolverine, It Ends With Us, Borderlands, Alien: Romulus, and Beetlejuice (which premiered on September 6). The available options are:
- 10 tickets for £40 (£4 each)
- Five tickets for £22 (£4.40 each)
- Two tickets for £9.50 (£4.75 each) – However, if you have access to O2/Virgin Media Priority and only need a pair of tickets, you can take advantage of an even better deal at two for £9 listed below.
Groupon’s discounted tickets are valid any day of the week until October 3, and they can be used by anyone—you aren’t required to use them all yourself. They can be redeemed simultaneously or across different visits.
After purchase, you will receive an email containing a unique code for each ticket, which you can also access through your Groupon account. To make a reservation, visit the Vue website (note that bookings cannot be made at the cinema) and enter your unique code(s) during checkout. According to Groupon, there are no additional booking fees.
Before you buy, check prices at your local Vue
A standard adult ticket for a 2D movie at Vue varies across the UK, typically ranging from £5 to £12 based on the location. It’s advisable to check the prices at your nearby Vue to see how much you can save with this offer.
Unfortunately, these tickets cannot be used in conjunction with the Meerkat Movies promotion, which offers 2-for-1 cinema tickets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays—refer to the information above for details. If your local Vue charges less than £8 to £9.50, you might find a more economical option through Meerkat Movies on those days.
2 – Two FREE Vue tickets every month for Sky Cinema subscribers
As a Sky Cinema subscriber, whether you’re new or have been with us for a while, you might occasionally wish to enjoy movies on a larger screen. You can take advantage of two free Vue tickets each month through the MySky app. These tickets can be used for any 2D film screening from Sunday to Thursday at any Vue cinema location.
How to get the deal
- Sign in to the free MySky app (you can download it for Android or iOS devices) and go to the VIP section to find your two free Vue cinema tickets code.
- You can use the code to book a screening at a Vue cinema box office, or online (Sky says there’s no booking fee) – codes will be valid until the end of the current calendar month.
This offer is applicable to standard seats, as well as Super Saver and Saver seats, with the option to pay extra for an upgrade.
You can receive up to two complimentary tickets each month until September 30, 2024. However, this promotion is not available to those on a Sky Cinema trial or those who subscribe through Now or Virgin Media.
3 – Two Vue tickets for £9 (or four for £18) for any 2D movie on any day via Priority
O2 mobile and Virgin Media broadband users can purchase two tickets for £9, or four tickets for £18 (£4.50 each), to watch any 2D film weekly at Vue cinemas through Priority.
How to get the deal
- You’ll need Priority (Android / iOS). Search ‘Vue’ and once you’ve found which offer you want to use (two or four tickets), select the ‘Use Now’ button to get a code.
- You’ll be directed to the Vue website where you’ll be able to claim the code. You need to do this by 11.59pm on Sunday, or your code will become invalid.
- You’ll be emailed two e-codes which you can exchange at the box office or online (but not over the phone). Your codes are valid for seven days.
The offer is renewed every Monday at 10 a.m., meaning if you’ve previously received a code, that’s when you can obtain a new one. According to O2, these codes remain valid until 10 p.m. on the following Sunday, although they might run out earlier.
One of the standout features of this deal is that it allows you to watch any 2D film on any day of the week, even on weekends when discounts are hard to come by. However, keep in mind that the value may vary based on the ticket prices at your nearest Vue cinema.
Excluded screenings & seats
This offer is not applicable to certain screening categories, including Premieres, Big Screen Events, and special or alternative presentations such as Mini Mornings, Senior-friendly, Autism-friendly, and Scene screenings.
Tickets are exclusively valid for 2D screenings. However, you can reserve a 3D, IMAX, VIP, Recliner, Xtreme seating, or Gold class screening either online or at the box office by paying the additional price difference.
4 – £2.49 child AND adult tickets for selected screenings
You can enjoy ‘Vue Mighty Mornings‘ screenings, where kids aged four to 12 and their accompanying adults can purchase tickets for just £2.49 on weekends after 10 a.m. and every morning during school holidays. This offer is available when tickets are booked online or through the Vue app; purchasing at the cinema will cost £3.49 each.
The movie selection may differ by location, so be sure to check Vue for the latest listings.
Showcase deals
20 cinemas across Great Britain – find your nearest
See also: Year’s 2for1 cinema tickets for about £1 trick
1 – Sign up for FREE membership to save about £5 on Showcase cinema tickets on selected days
If there’s a Showcase cinema in your area (check all locations), you can purchase tickets for 2D films, including the latest releases, for just £7.50 (or £9.50 at Bluewater) starting from 7 PM on Sundays and throughout the day on Mondays and Tuesdays. Regular ticket prices can reach up to £13. However, in Leicester, this offer is valid every day.
To take advantage of this deal, simply sign up for free as a member of Showcase’s ‘Insider membership‘.
You can secure these discounted tickets by presenting your card at the box office or by choosing the ‘Insider’ ticket option online (note that a £1 booking fee applies).
2 – £5 tickets for over 60s on Mondays before 4pm
If you are 60 years old or older, you can purchase a ticket for just £5 (£8 at Bluewater) for most film showings that begin at 4 pm or earlier on Mondays, thanks to Showcase’s ‘Silver Screenings‘ promotion. Typically, tickets at other times are around £9, meaning you save approximately £4 with this offer. You have the option to book either online or at the cinema, although booking online incurs an additional £1 charge.
This offer cannot be combined with any other discounts, and there are extra fees for screenings in XPlus or 3D, as well as for XLR or Gallery seating. Additionally, any screening labeled as ‘Event Cinema’ will be priced at £8.
General cinema cost cutters
1 – Bring your own snacks – you DON’T need to sneak them in to the big chains
It’s well known that the prices of snacks and beverages at movie theaters can be quite inflated. The enticing aroma of freshly popped popcorn in the cinema lobby may lure many patrons, but purchasing snacks there will cost significantly more than if you brought your own. While it has traditionally been assumed that theaters prohibit outside food, savvy moviegoers have been sneaking snacks into their bags, pockets, and perhaps even their socks for years.
However, chains like Cineworld, Odeon, Vue, Empire, and Showcase have clarified their policies, stating that you are allowed to bring your own non-alcoholic drinks (as long as they’re not in glass containers) and food items. The guidelines specify that the food should not be hot or have a strong smell—so while you might want to avoid bringing a cheeseboard or egg sandwich, items like chocolates, sweets, or a piece of fruit are perfectly acceptable. Just keep in mind to avoid anything too noisy!
Although the major cinema chains we consulted have a consistent policy, this may not be the case for all cinema brands or independent theaters.
2 – Don’t waste money on a bad film – read spoiler-free user reviews
There’s nothing quite as frustrating as enduring a poor film for two hours, particularly after you’ve spent money on it. Protect yourself (and your wallet) from a contemporary version of Jaws: The Revenge by reading reviews from fellow movie enthusiasts beforehand.
The two most popular free movie review sites are IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes. You can easily view a film’s general user rating, check out audience reviews, or find out what critics had to say. Rest assured, any reviews containing spoilers are clearly labeled, so you won’t be caught off guard.
3 – Frequent cinema-goer? A ‘watch as many movies as you like’ subscription could be worth it
Cineworld and Odeon have both offered paid-for memberships for many years now which allow you to see as many 2D movies as you want at their cinemas for a set monthly fee.
These subscription offers are typically designed for dedicated movie enthusiasts who watch three or more films each month. Naturally, they are most beneficial for those who live or work close to a specific cinema chain. However, with some memberships starting at just £11 a month, these deals could now be appealing to a broader audience.
4 – Check deals at local independent cinemas
While we can’t explore every cinema across the UK, this guide primarily highlights the major chains. However, you might have an independent cinema in your area that provides more affordable ticket options. These venues typically feature fewer screens, and you may need to wait a couple of weeks for the latest releases. Nevertheless, many people appreciate the cozier atmosphere they offer.
5 – Having a bad cinema experience? When can you get compensation?
The cinematic experience can occasionally fall short of expectations, leading many patrons to forgo voicing their concerns or seeking a refund when issues arise. Generally, most theaters are willing to reimburse your ticket in cases of technical difficulties that are their responsibility, such as projector malfunctions or sound issues that disrupt the viewing experience.
Typically, you probably won’t receive compensation solely based on your opinion that a movie is poor. However, we have heard from some users who were offered free tickets for a future visit. Therefore, it might be worth inquiring about this possibility, although it largely depends on the discretion of the cinema manager.
6 – Do you need to go to the cinema? Streamers have big movies including some released at the same time as cinemas or soon after
The rise of video streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, and Now in recent years has diminished the necessity of going to the cinema for your film entertainment. With subscription packages for these major services available for under £12 a month, you can enjoy a significantly larger selection of movies from the comfort of your home—check out our tips for saving money on TV.
While viewing a film on your living room couch is certainly different from the cinema experience, if the social outing or massive screen isn’t a priority for you, streaming services present a practical alternative to spending money on cinema tickets, particularly if you’re already subscribed to one or more of these platforms.
Although most major studio blockbusters traditionally debut in theaters, a recent trend has emerged where certain films are released on streaming platforms simultaneously or shortly after their theatrical premieres. A notable instance of this was the release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which hit theaters and then became available on Disney+ in under three months.
Certain films never reach theaters; for instance, Netflix creates its own original content. Check out our Netflix hacks to save money and maximize your subscription benefits. Similarly, Disney+ has chosen to bypass cinemas in the past, providing exclusive access to titles like the live-action Lady and the Tramp and Hamilton. Don’t miss our summary of Disney+ offers.