Dr Mobeus
A trip to the cinema used to be a cheap night out. These days, a family of four can easily spend £60-80 on tickets alone – before you’ve even touched the popcorn. A single adult ticket at a major UK cinema chain now regularly tops £15, and that’s before 3D, IMAX, or VIP upgrades. But you never have to pay full price. There are more ways to save on cinema tickets than most people realise, and once you know them, you’ll never go back to buying walk-up tickets.
1. Cinema Membership Schemes
Cineworld Unlimited
Cineworld’s Unlimited card starts from £10.99 a month and lets you watch as many films as you want. If you go to the cinema twice a month or more, it pays for itself immediately. You also get 10% off food and drinks, and free advance screenings for new releases. There’s a minimum contract of 12 months, but if you’re a regular cinema-goer, it’s the best deal in UK cinema.
Odeon Limitless
Odeon’s Limitless membership costs from £14.99 a month and gives you unlimited films at any Odeon cinema. Like Cineworld, you get advance screening invites and discounts on food. If your local Odeon charges £13+ for a standard ticket, two visits a month and you’re already saving money.
Vue Mini Cinema
Vue doesn’t have a monthly pass, but they do run regular Mini Cinema screenings – cheap tickets for kids’ films during school holidays, usually around £2.49 each. They’re not just for kids though; anyone can buy a ticket if the screening isn’t sold out.
2. Cheap Family Screenings
Every major UK cinema chain runs discounted family screenings during school holidays and on weekend mornings:
- Odeon Kids – around £2.50 per ticket for selected kids’ films on Saturday and Sunday mornings, plus every day during school holidays
- Cineworld Movies for Juniors – from £2.50 for kids’ screenings, with adult tickets at the same price
- Vue Mini Cinema – £2.49 per ticket for family-friendly films during holidays
- Showcase CinemaDeLux – kids’ screenings from £1.75, one of the cheapest in the UK
The films aren’t always brand new, but for a rainy afternoon during the holidays they’re brilliant value. Adults pay the same discounted price, so a family of four can see a film for under £10.
3. Meerkat Movies – 2-for-1 Twice a Week
If you buy car or home insurance through Compare the Market, you get a year’s Meerkat Movies membership. This gives you 2-for-1 cinema tickets twice a week (Tuesday and Wednesday at most cinemas) for a whole year. It works at Cineworld, Odeon, Vue, Showcase, and many independent cinemas.
Even if your insurance renewal isn’t due, it can be worth getting a cheap quote just for the Meerkat Movies benefit. A single cinema trip for two people saves you £13-15, so the insurance pays for itself after two visits.
4. Student and Young Person Discounts
If you’re under 25 or in full-time education, there are several ways to get cheaper tickets:
- Student discount – Most cinemas offer 10-25% off with a valid student card. Always ask, even if it’s not advertised
- 16-25 Railcard + Cineworld – Cineworld offers discounted tickets for Railcard holders on Wednesdays
- TOTUM card – Student discount card that includes cinema deals
- Student Beans / UNiDAYS – Both apps regularly feature cinema discount codes
Odeon also runs a Young Person ticket for ages 13-17, which is cheaper than the adult price.
5. Midweek and Off-Peak Savings
Cinema tickets are cheapest on weekday afternoons. Most chains offer Super Saver or Off-Peak tickets for screenings before 5pm on Monday to Thursday. You can save £3-5 per ticket just by going at a quieter time.
Orange Wednesday may be gone, but some cinemas still run midweek promotions. Check your local cinema’s website for midweek meal deals and ticket bundles.
6. Independent Cinemas Are Cheaper
If you live near an independent cinema, check their prices – they’re almost always cheaper than the big chains. Many independent cinemas charge £6-8 for adults compared to £13-16 at Odeon or Cineworld. They also tend to offer:
- Membership schemes for £20-40 a year that give you £2-3 off every ticket
- Monday and Tuesday discount nights
- Senior screenings with cheaper tickets and free tea and coffee
- Parent and baby screenings at reduced prices
Independent cinemas also tend to show more interesting films – foreign language, documentary, and classic seasons alongside mainstream releases. Use Cinema UK to find your nearest independent.
7. Groupon and Voucher Sites
Groupon regularly runs cinema deals, especially for independent cinemas and Vue. Typical offers include:
- Two tickets plus popcorn for £15-20
- Family tickets (2 adults, 2 children) from £18
- IMAX or 4DX experiences at 40-50% off
Check Groupon deals on freebies.co.uk for current cinema offers. Also check Wowcher and Livingsocial for similar deals.
8. Loyalty Schemes and Points
Cineworld Unlimited Benefits
Unlimited members earn points on food and drink purchases that can be redeemed for free food. Not a game-changer, but it adds up over the year.
Odeon Première Club
Odeon’s loyalty scheme gives you 10 points per £1 spent. Points can be redeemed for free tickets, food, and drinks. You need 1,000 points for a free standard ticket, so it’s a slow burn – but if you’re going to Odeon anyway, there’s no reason not to sign up.
Vue Newsletter Sign-Up
Sign up for Vue’s email newsletter and you’ll get a discount code for your first booking, usually around 10-15% off. They also send exclusive offers throughout the year.
9. Supermarket Promotions
Keep an eye out for cinema ticket promotions at supermarkets:
- Tesco Clubcard – You can sometimes exchange Clubcard vouchers for cinema tickets at boosted rates
- Sainsbury’s Nectar – Occasionally offers bonus points on cinema gift cards
- Costa Coffee – Has previously run “Cinema and Coffee” bundles with Vue
Cinema gift cards bought at supermarkets during promotional periods can save you 10-20% on ticket prices. Buy them during double-points promotions or when they’re on offer and bank them for later.
10. Free Screenings and Advance Shows
Several websites list free advance screenings and preview showings:
- SeeFilmFirst – The main UK site for free preview screenings. Register and you’ll get codes for free tickets to films before they’re released
- ShowFilmFirst – Similar to SeeFilmFirst, with free and discounted preview tickets
- Cineworld Unlimited screenings – Unlimited members get access to free advance screenings of major releases
Free screenings are usually in central London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. They fill up fast, so register and respond quickly when new screenings are announced.
Quick Comparison: Cheapest Cinema Options
- Cheapest overall: Showcase Kids screenings from £1.75
- Best for regular cinema-goers: Cineworld Unlimited from £10.99/month
- Best for couples: Meerkat Movies 2-for-1 (with Compare the Market insurance)
- Best for families: Odeon Kids / Cineworld Movies for Juniors from £2.50
- Best for students: Student discount + midweek off-peak tickets
- Best one-off saving: Groupon cinema deals (40-50% off)
You really don’t need to spend £15 a ticket. Between membership schemes, family screenings, 2-for-1 deals, and independent cinemas, there’s always a cheaper way to see the latest films. Bookmark freebies.co.uk for regular updates on cinema deals and discount codes throughout the year.
