Frugal Films

Sitting in a crowded cinema surrounded by people can be an enjoyable experience but it isn't what I consider frugal. There are ways to see movies on the big screen for less but the real savings are elsewhere if you don’t need to see a blockbuster on opening weekend.

Here's the Frugal Victoria run-down (prices shown are for adults) using summer 2010 prices)
Big Screen:

1. Cineplex-Odeon and Empire Theatres: $10-$12 (stacks up fast for families)
2. Smaller screens: Caprice, Langford $6.75; Roxy $6 (usually for two films); Cinecenta $7.75
3. “Cheap Tuesdays”: Roxy $4; Caprice $4.50; Empire $5.99 [Reel Deal Tuesday]; Cineplex is only a bargain if you normally also buy popcorn and a drink [Telus Tuesdays] 
4. Other bargains: Cinecenta: (students only) $2.75 for shows starting at 9pm or later; Cinecenta also offers a membership price and the chance to buy munch-cards for discount admission; Caprice: Military Mondays $4.50
5. Festivals: Antimatter Film Festival screenings are $6 or less; Victoria Film Festival screenings are $9 each (plus a one-time $2 membership per person); both offer multi-film munch cards at a discount.
6. Etc.: Mayfair Summer Drive-In, Free B Movie Festival and Guerrilla Drive-in operate at various times through the years showing movies outdoors either free or for a small donation; Open Cinema shows documentaries in a cafe-setting with a suggested admission/donation of $10.

At Home:

1. Video On Demand: if you have Shaw Digital Cable, recent movies can be yours for around $6 or $7 -- be sure to check the “Free Zone,” too. Of course, digital cable also offers plenty of movies around the clock, though many are edited and/or spliced with commercial breaks.
2. Rent: $5-$6 (less for not-so-recent titles); Blockbuster also has a monthly deal for $10 -- one movie at a time, but as many as you can watch in 30 days.  
3. Buy: realistically, even full price for a new DVD, around $24, is more affordable than taking the family to the multiplex. However, shop around and you can get some real bargains. Previously viewed bins at retailers like Rogers or Pic-a-Flic, or the 2for$20 (or even cheaper) at HMV are favourite haunts. UsedVictoria, Freecycle, and the other usual suspects are also recommended.  
4. Loan: the GVPL has an amazing array of titles; the most popular are available as fast views for three days; others are yours for a week and you can request them from other branches. FREE.
5. Borrow/Swap: great idea if you have a collection and/or know a friend with a stack of DVDs. FREE

While it’s not for everyone, families who spend a lot at the multiplex may want to do the math on a home theatre system. We found a kit on “open box” clearance at a big box electronics store for under $200 and the difference was astounding. For the same price, our family of three could go to 4 big-screen shows with snacks. Bonus: hot-air popcorn at home is healthier and just pennies a bowl.