MoviePass' Low Subscription Price Just Got Lower (hollywoodreporter.com)

In a move to lure new subscribers, MoviePass has dropped the price of its monthly subscription service from about $10 per month to just under $7. From a report: The company said for $6.95 per month, new subscribers will get one movie ticket per day, a minor catch being that users must pay for a year up-front. There is also a one-time $6.55 processing fee. It's the umpteenth time that MoviePass has changed its price since launching six years ago at $40 per month (before raising it to $50), most significantly eight months ago when it was cut to just $9.95. The change had the desired effect, as subscribers swelled from 20,000 then to nearly 3 million today. Still, MoviePass is not without its critics, as some theater chains -- most notably AMC -- have criticized the service for allegedly cheapening the moviegoing experience. Also, industry executives worry that MoviePass cannot survive (it pays mostly full price for the movie tickets its subscribers use) and wonder if users that are left in the lurch when it folds will ever want to pay $9 (the average price in the U.S.) per ticket again.

Comments

cheapening the moviegoing experience

[fahrbot-bot]

... as some theater chains -- most notably AMC -- have criticized the service for allegedly cheapening the moviegoing experience.

Funniest thing I've read all week. Thanks AMC, et al.

Re:cheapening the moviegoing experience

[John Napkintosh]

I think AMC overestimates the desirability of the movie-going experience. In reality, they should be happy that it's actually causing people to come to their bullshit establishment in the first place. They're going to charge moviepass whatever they want to charge, and cheaper ticket prices are actually likely to increase the amount of money cheap-asses like me are willing to spend on concessions.

Sorry movie stars - the fact that you demand $20million+ dollars to run around and pew-pew bad buys is one of the reasons why movies cost so much. Sorry movie studios - your unwillingness to take a risk on unproven concepts because you feel some need to spend $100million+ on a moive because insist on making $200million+ at the box office is the other reason why movies cost so much. Unfuck your brains and maybe the struggling middle class can take a family to Redundant Action Shooter Part 14 without spending nearly $200 for the "luxury".

The real issue

[Anonymous Coward]

The real issue is will they be around in a year? I might do this, but you better believe I'm going to try and recoup my yearly fee ASAP.

Re:Cheaper than Netflix.

[b0s0z0ku]

Sneaking food/booze into a theater is basically trivial.

Re:Cheaper than Netflix.

[AvitarX]

You get a special credit card they fund with the exact price of the movie when you want to go.

Unless you clone it, and it's not chipped, you won't be able to share it as easily as you imply.

Re:It's not mainly about movie ticket prices

[torkus]

Oh no, something that you aren't the intended audience for! Their business must immediately fail.

For as many cranky people on here that want to cry about 'omg no good movies' and 'wtf stupid overpriced popcorn' or 'way more comfy at home' there are plenty (literally millions) who have already eagerly signed up for this service.

They like at least one movie a month enough to go see it. They either don't buy overpriced snacks or don't care (booze in a bar is 'overpriced' too). They actually enjoy leaving their houses for the larger screen, better sound, etc.

Plus, moviepass works in theatres playing indie films depending on your area. And...while some movies I wouldn't pay full NYC price to see I also don't mind popping in on a free afternoon to watch when there's no cost to do so...and if it's horrible I can just leave. ...but I'll get off your lawn now sir. Very sorry to have stepped on your grass.