<div class="block">A trip to the movie theater might cause you to dig a little deeper into your wallet than you have in previous years. Cheddar News senior reporter Michelle Castillo has few cost-saving tips for moviegoers.</div>

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Watching Your Wallet at the Movies

You've been one of the many people who have already seen Barbie or Oppenheimer. You might have realized that going to the movies these days can be pretty pricey. The average movie ticket price last year reached $10.53 according to the National Association of theater owners. Yes. And depending on where you live, it can be even pricier che news, senior reporter Michelle Castillo has some tips on how you can watch your wallets and the latest films going to the movies can get pricey, but there are ways to get discounts without having to skip the big screen. So we turn to the national theater chain, Alamo Draft House for tips. First look for a membership program. It can pay for itself if you go frequently if you saw two movies. Like if you saw Barbie and Oppenheimer in one weekend, that would be the same price as seeing as many movies as you want. Second, join a loyalty club like Alamo Victory A MC Stubs or Regal Crown Club. These are all free. You get points based on how often you go. It just rewards you for going to the movies, which is really easy. And if it's something you do anyway, why not get some free stuff along the way. Third matinees and morning screening still exist if you know when to find them, typically it's the earliest showings, but sometimes weekdays have an extra discount. On Tuesday. We have discount prices. We call it BFD, which stands for a big freaking deal. So we, here in New York we have $9 movie tickets all day long and then across the country there's different prices. You can go as low as $5 4th. Don't feel pressured to buy the snacks. I think a lot of people feel that because we're a dine in cinema and you go to your seat that you're sort of are obligated to order a bunch of food when you come up here. But that's not true. And if you want something to munch on some of the classics like popcorn and soda, come with free refills. Finally look for other ways to watch. For example, Alamo offers a weekly VHS rental program for 3 99 a week. Yes, you heard that right. And if you don't have a VCR anymore because a lot of people probably don't. We have vcrs that you can rent for free too while not everyone is going back to tape. Some chains offer discounted digital streams like a MC theaters with Voodoo Fandango and you can get that cinematic experience without leaving the comfort of your home for Cheddar News. I'm Michelle Castillo. Ok. So one other huff tip to save money is to buy your tickets directly at the theater because online purchases can often come with additional services fees. So every penny counts, I'm sure you're going to adhere to that. When you go to Oppenheimer, I'm going this Sunday. But, you know, I always think about that, especially a family of four. Remember, I mean, when I was growing up, that was common to go to the theaters. Now, that's easily $100 when you think about the tickets and popcorn and drinks. So I love this, the story that Michelle did. I think that there's some really, really great tips, especially buying your tickets directly from the theater. So I want to ask the most that you probably would have paid for a ticket recently. I think at one point I paid almost $20 for a ticket years ago, like pre pandemic in Times Square. Um Same thing for Lincoln Center this Sunday and those IMAX movies too. And again, imagine if it's a family of 456 people, every penny counts like you mentioned.