Kind of thing · 4 ideas
Movies
A movie theater is the one place where doing nothing is the whole point. You sit, the lights go down, and for two hours nobody expects anything from you. It works best when you are too tired to make conversation but too restless to stay on the couch.
- Typical price
- Evening tickets run $14–18 in most cities. Matinees and discount days land at $7–11.
- How long
- Two to three hours including trailers.
How to do it cheaper
- Weekday matinees, usually anything starting before 4 pm, are $4–8 less than evening shows.
- Most big chains run a discount day, often Tuesday, with tickets around $6–8.
- Independent and repertory theaters charge less than the multiplex and often have a cheap membership.
- Skip the concession stand. Eat before, or bring a coffee in.
- A subscription pass pays for itself after two visits a month if you actually go.
Works for
The ideas
$7–11
2–3 h
Movies
Weekday matinee
A half-empty theater, a cheap ticket, and you're back outside by 4 pm.
- Best when
- Weekdays before 4 pm
- Cheaper
- Discount Tuesday at most chains drops tickets to $6–8 all day.
- Skip it if
- You want to talk to someone. You'll be shushed.
- Bring
- A coffee. Concessions are where the money goes.
$10–14
2–3 h
Movies
The small theater across town
Older films, odd films, a Q&A if you're lucky, and a lobby where people actually talk after.
- Best when
- Weeknight evening shows
- Cheaper
- Repertory theaters sell memberships that pay off at the third film.
- Skip it if
- You need reclining seats and a blockbuster.
- Bring
- Nothing. The popcorn is usually real butter here.
$10–14
4 h
Movies
Drive-in double feature
Two movies, your own car, your own snacks, and nobody checks what you brought.
- Cost
- $10–14 per person
- Best when
- Clear nights, April through October
- Cheaper
- Most drive-ins charge per person, not per car, but carload nights exist. Check the schedule.
- Skip it if
- Your car's battery is iffy. The radio runs for four hours.
- Bring
- Blankets, a cooler, bug spray, and a portable radio if your car doesn't like idling.
$14–18
2–3 h
Movies
The last showing of the night
The 10 pm screening is mostly empty, nobody's on their phone, and the night isn't over when it ends.
- Best when
- Friday or Saturday, last slot
- Cheaper
- Pick a theater outside downtown; the same film is $3–5 less.
- Skip it if
- You have to be up early. You won't be.
- Bring
- A plan for after. A late diner is open.