Dollar movies for students who can wait
Marisa Roper
Since their hey-day in the 1980s, dollar theaters have provided die-hard movie goers with favorite Hollywood films at low prices. Local video stores and major cinemas may be getting a little too expensive these days, so what better way to see a favorite film than at a discounted price?
Although all across the Valley, discount theaters and drive-ins have been disappearing. Though, fortunately some have managed to stay afloat.
What used to be the Super Saver Cinema at the Superstition Springs Mall will now be The Picture Show (still a dollar theater) and plans to open in mid-March.
Aside from the Picture Show, there are two more theaters within a few miles of the Southern and Dobson MCC campus. There’s the Pollack Tempe Cinemas, which is located at 1825 E.
Elliot Road and the Chandler Cinemas, located in the opposite direction at 2140 N. Arizona Ave.
Pollack Tempe Cinemas shows top Hollywood films just a few weeks after their release date with normal ticket prices just $3 and a $2 Tuesday special.
However, the Chandler Cinemas’ normal ticketing price is $2, saving the average college student a buck during the week. Chandler Cinema’s also have discounts on Tuesdays.
If something more on the outskirts of the metro area fits in the daily schedule, the Silver Cinemas is located on the I-17 and Bell Road.
Just like the other two theaters, this one offers discounted movies on Tuesday nights for $1.50.
The dollar theater isn’t the only alternative film featuring site in the Valley.
While there aren’t too many left in Arizona, drive-in movies are also located in the area with the closest two being the Glendale 9-Drive-In, located on 55th Avenue and Bethany Home, and the Scottsdale Drive-In, located at 8101 E. McKellips Road.
Aside from two old-school ways of seeing movies, Redbox is becoming more popular for new dollar-rental-deals.
At any of their 12,000 plus locations, new DVD releases are available to rent from their vending machines.
It’s as easy as buying a soda from a vending machine, except returning the DVD by 9 p.m. the next night is essential and unlike memberships at expensive video stores, Redbox charges a dollar plus tax every night the movie is kept instead of traditional late fees.
Even if the desired movie isn’t available at a particular location, movies are available to reserve on the Redbox website so upon arrival at the kiosk location of choice, the movie will be ready for pick up.
Similar to these Redbox promos, the discount and drive-in theaters have specials as well.
Just sign up to receive these extra savings by visiting their websites.
