Going to the cinema can be quite expensive, but there are ways to enjoy films on the big screen without spending a fortune.
These deals and discounts will allow you to get cheaper cinema tickets in chains like ODEON and Vue to watch the biggest movies of 2024. And don't forget to use the money you save to grab that massive carton of popcorn and an oversized drink.
The hottest movie in cinemas right now is Challengers, Zendaya's horny tennis drama also starring The Crown's Josh O'Connor and West Side Story's Mike Faist. While some viewers might still be catching up with the box-office hit Dune: Part Two, there are many new movies coming up that are deserving of viewers' attention.
The ridiculously entertaining anime movie SPY x FAMILY: CODE White, the silly horror vampire movie Abigail, the new Monsterverse adventure Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire or Dev Patel's directorial debut Monkey Man are also great and varied options that make it worth a trip to the cinema this weekend.
Regardless of what you choose, you're in for a good time. There's nothing quite like seeing a film on the big screen.
However, as we mentioned earlier, going to the cinema isn't the cheap evening out it used to be, so with that in mind we at Digital Spy have gathered together some of the best UK deals available right now to help you save some money on your next trip to the cinema.
2-for-1 cinema tickets
The best-known scheme for getting two cinema tickets for the price of one is Meerkat Movies at comparethemarket.com.
It's a reward scheme where you buy a qualifying product through the site such as travel insurance (and this starts at just over £1 for a day's coverage), and then claim your reward – 2 for 1 cinema tickets every Tuesday or Wednesday for a year at participating cinemas including Odeon, Vue and Cineworld.
ODEON cinema ticket prices
The ODEON chain has over 100 cinemas in the UK.
If the Meerkat Movies discount isn't right for you, Fever is worth checking out for discounted tickets from £6.99, and ODEON also has its own scheme, Limitless, where you can save 10% off selected food and drink and see as many films per month as you like for a monthly membership fee.
If you would prefer not to have to pay a fee, look at MyOdeon, its free scheme that gives you cheaper weekday tickets at certain times of the day.
Are you with Vodafone? The brand has partnered with ODEON to offer its customers two cinema tickets for £8 (£9 with booking fee) or two Luxe tickets for £14 (including booking fee) through its VeryMe Rewards programme.
GET CHEAPER ODEON TICKETS WITH VODAFONE
ODEON also launched a similar offer for Amazon Prime customers — this one gets you two tickets for £10 or two for £15 at Luxe cinemas, only valid Monday-Thursday.
ODEON also has special kids' screenings that can save you money, too, as accompanying grown-ups pay kids' ticket prices.
Vue cinema ticket prices
Fever offers a discount at Vue cinemas (from just £3.99 a ticket), including its central London sites, with a voucher code via its website. You can also get group discount deals via Wowcher, and Meerkat Movies is also available.
Vodafone customers can get two tickets for £7 on selected weekdays through the Vodafone app.
If you're an O2 or Virgin Media customer, you can take advantage of the ongoing Priority promotion – it entitles you to two Vue cinema tickets for £9 every week, to be used on any day at any Vue location (including its flagship West End branch in London's Leicester Square). You also get a 20% off voucher for on-site snacks.
GET CHEAPER VUE TICKETS WITH O2
Sky Cinema customer? You can get a pair of totally free tickets every month by simply downloading the My Sky app — select the Sky VIP menu and find 'Your Vue Tickets'. This offer is valid for any standard Sunday to Thursday screenings at any Vue cinema in the UK or Ireland.
Vue also does Mini Mornings, special kids' screenings where prices start at just £2.49 a ticket for kids and adults, while Vue Members get perks like refundable tickets, rewards and freebies. Also, if you have Vitality Health and Life Insurance, rewards include a Vue cinema ticket per month.
Cineworld cinema ticket prices
Cineworld has its own membership scheme, which also includes the Picturehouse chain of cinemas. If you join Cineworld Unlimited, from £10.99 a month you can see as many films as you want and also get 10% off drinks and snacks – and free popcorn on your birthday.
Meerkat Movies is also available at some Cineworld cinemas, and you can also exchange Tesco Clubcard vouchers for cinema tickets (at the moment, every 50p in supermarket vouchers equals £1.50 to use at the cinema, though this will change to 50p of Tesco vouchers equalling £1 to use at the cinema from June 14).
If you are a Three customer, the network provider often offers Cineworld deals as part of its reward scheme.
Showcase cinema ticket prices
Showcase has Insider membership – sign up for free and you will be sent a membership card that allows you to book £7.50 tickets (for showings after 7pm on Sundays and all day on Mondays and Tuesdays).
More cheap cinema ticket deals
Not found a deal that works at your local cinema? It's worth checking out sites including Groupon, which often has deals offering up to 50% off cinema tickets, and Tastecard, which has discount codes for restaurants, shops and cinemas if you sign up (prices to join start at £1 for 60 days).
Customers of Vodafone, Three, O2, and Virgin Media can also get discounted cinema tickets as perks.
If you have a Club Lloyds bank account, you get six free Odeon or Vue tickets per year.
Lidl supermarket customers can get up to 40% off tickets – if you sign up to the Lidl app and use it to register with The Cinema Society you can get discounts at chains including Odeon, Vue, Showcase, Empire, Savoy Cinemas and Scott Cinemas.
Happy cinema-going!
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Freelance film & TV writer, Digital Spy
Critic and writer Jo Berry has been writing about TV and movies since she began her career at Time Out aged 18. A regular on BBC Radio, Jo has written for titles including Empire, Maxim, Radio Times, OK!, The Guardian and Grazia, is the author of books including Chick Flicks and The Parents’ Guide to Kids’ Movies.
She is also the editor of website Movies4Kids. In her career, Jo has interviewed well-known names including Beyonce, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Kiefer Sutherland, Tom Cruise and all the Avengers, spent many an hour crushed in the press areas of award show red carpets. Jo is also a self-proclaimed expert on Outlander and Brassic, and completely agrees that Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
