How Teachers Can Save Money on Movie Tickets

Love going to the movies? Give your budget a break with these 7 ways to save on movie tickets.

by NEA Member Benefits

Jul 06, 2026

Key Takeaways

NEA members save 25% on tickets from AMC, Regal, Cinemark and more.
Off-peak showtimes and free loyalty programs can lower your ticket price further.
Small habits, like skipping 3D, add up to real movie ticket savings.
Stacking more than one discount often gets you the lowest price.

Movie tickets have gotten more expensive in recent years, and it's easy to wonder whether a trip to the theater is still worth it. The good news is there are still plenty of ways to bring the cost down, whether you're catching a Friday night premiere or a Tuesday matinee.

As a teacher, your NEA membership is one of the easiest discounts for movie tickets you can use, and it's worth pairing with a few other habits that can lower your total even further.

Get the Cinemark teacher discount and other NEA movie ticket savings

As an NEA member, you can save 25% on movie tickets from AMC Theatres, Regal, Cinemark and more when you buy tickets through the NEA Discount Tickets Program. It's one of the simplest ways to get discounted movie tickets since there's no need to wait for a sale or hunt down a coupon code. You just buy through the program any time you want to see a movie.

Go during off-peak showtimes

Weekday, early bird and matinee showings are often discounted, sometimes by 20% or more per adult ticket depending on the theater. Weekday evenings can be a good time to save too, since business is usually slower, and smaller or independently owned theaters near you may charge less on a weeknight.

Take advantage of family movie specials

Independent theaters and large chains alike often offer deeply discounted showings, sometimes $1 or less, of second-run G- or PG-rated movies. Some theaters schedule these for early weekday mornings, while others hold a family night once a week, so it's worth checking your local theater's schedule.

Join a free loyalty program

AMC’s Stubs program gives $5 rewards for every 5,000 points and get $2 off on Tuesdays. Regal’s Crown Club awards 100 credits per $1 spent on tickets and concession transactions. Cinemark Connections awards 10 points on each ticket or concession transaction (up to 25 points in one day) you can use to save on tickets, concession items, rewards merchandise such as T-shirts, exclusive digital downloads, movie experience upgrades and more.

Explore discounts through your other memberships

Car insurance, wholesale clubs and other memberships you already have may include movie ticket savings you don't know about. Costco, for example, offers discounts on tickets from Cinemark, AMC, Regal and more, so it's worth checking the terms of any membership you already pay for.

Buy tickets in bulk

Buying four or more movie ticket passes at once, either through a bulk ticket retailer or by teaming up with friends, coworkers or other groups, can lower your per-ticket cost compared to buying one at a time. Just check whether your theater adds a surcharge for 3D or IMAX showings before you use a bulk pass.

Use credit card points and other perks

Check whether your credit card rewards can be redeemed for movie tickets or gift cards. Some cards also offer occasional statement credits or bonus points on entertainment purchases, so it's worth a quick look before you buy.

A few more small ways to save

Buy tickets in person when you're already out instead of paying an online service fee.
Skip 3D and other premium formats, which can add several dollars to your ticket.
Choose a theater with free or validated parking.
Bring your ID. Military members, students and seniors often qualify for a discount at the box office.