Movie Pass

[DanC78]

Man, too bad this didn't exist pre-kids. We used to go to movies just about every weekend.

$6.95 per month (have to pay year in full) gets you a movie per day at just about every theater nationwide.

Helluva deal.

https://www.moviepass.com/

anyone use the service...is there a catch?

 

[funksouljon]

Interesting. Depending on the hidden details, looks very appealing.

 

[DanC78]

Interesting. Depending on the hidden details, looks very appealing.

Read a tech crunch review and it all seems to check out per their write up.

https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/17/m...r-7-per-month-if-you-opt-for-the-annual-plan/

 

[ReliableOstrich]

I've had it for a couple months.

It's legit.

 

[Spearhead04]

Need to go to several movies a year for this to be worthwhile. Most people will end up paying and not going to movies frequently. Smart business idea.

 

[DFSNOLE]

Need to go to several movies a year for this to be worthwhile. Most people will end up paying and not going to movies frequently. Smart business idea.

Have to go to one matinee a month to break even. Less than that for an evening show. We could do that but the primary theater we go to is not on the list.

 

[nynole1]

Need to go to several movies a year for this to be worthwhile. Most people will end up paying and not going to movies frequently. Smart business idea.

It follows pretty much every membership-based model, relies on people NOT showing up.

 

[FSUTribe76]

I assume it doesn’t cover imax and 3d both of which I like for certain movies. I always look up and see not just whether it’s a movie worth seeing but if it’s worth it for imax and/or 3d.

 

[DFSNOLE]

I assume it doesn’t cover imax and 3d both of which I like for certain movies. I always look up and see not just whether it’s a movie worth seeing but if it’s worth it for imax and/or 3d.

Their site says any movie, any time. You can enter your zip code to find which theaters participate.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

In the fine print IMAX and 3D are excluded

Even then it's a good deal. Movies (where I live) are $16 minimum. If I watch two movies a quarter I'm at break even and now that they have annualized pricing at $7/mo, two movies every four months would do the trick.

Living across from an Alamo drafthouse, it won't be hard to accomplish this.

 

[ericram]

It's a good deal but really like an option for Imax and or Dolby digital once every few months.

 

[Nole Lou]

I so want to do this, but unfortunately can't get out to the movies as much as I would like.

 

[FSUTribe76]

In the fine print IMAX and 3D are excluded

Even then it's a good deal. Movies (where I live) are $16 minimum. If I watch two movies a quarter I'm at break even and now that they have annualized pricing at $7/mo, two movies every four months would do the trick.

Living across from an Alamo drafthouse, it won't be hard to accomplish this.

So in theater of the 2017 movies I’ve seen: 1) Spider-Man Homecoming, 2) Wonder Woman, 3) Guardians of the Galaxy 2, 4) Thor Ragnarok, 5) It, 6) Valerian, 7) Blade Runner, 8) Dunkirk, 9) Logan, 10) Alien Covenant and that’s it. So probably enough to break even BUT I saw almost all of those in 3D, Imax, 4DX or a combo. I only saw three in standard definition because the reviews said the 3D and Imax weren’t worth it.

I don’t watch most comedies, Talky dramas, and horror movies at the theater, I catch those on Netflix, Redbox, or a premium channel. Now I pretty much just go to see Big action movies with only a few exceptions and when I pay I want the premium experience.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

So in theater of the 2017 movies I’ve seen: 1) Spider-Man Homecoming, 2) Wonder Woman, 3) Guardians of the Galaxy 2, 4) Thor Ragnarok, 5) It, 6) Valerian, 7) Blade Runner, 8) Dunkirk, 9) Logan, 10) Alien Covenant and that’s it. So probably enough to break even BUT I saw almost all of those in 3D, Imax, 4DX or a combo. I only saw three in standard definition because the reviews said the 3D and Imax weren’t worth it.

I don’t watch most comedies, Talky dramas, and horror movies at the theater, I catch those on Netflix, Redbox, or a premium channel. Now I pretty much just go to see Big action movies with only a few exceptions and when I pay I want the premium experience.

It's only a great deal for me bc my apt is a 3 min walk to the theater

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Moviepass struggles begin to mount. Will be interesting to see how much rope HMNY's board extends to these guys. They're right that they'll need Uber type funding to bleed out others and permanently change consumer behavior to where they then become and indispensable tapeworm to movie houses.

http://www.vulture.com/2018/05/can-moviepass-survive-the-summer.html

Now that I'm used to paying $9/mo for movies, I'll prob never really want to pay full price ever again. Not too different from how after using Napster, I never really bought a $16 album again. Moviepass just needs to pull this number on enough consumers -- not that I'm in favor of that type of parasitic behavior but it apparently is the way of the world these days.

 

[ericram]

Moviepass struggles begin to mount. Will be interesting to see how much rope HMNY's board extends to these guys. They're right that they'll need Uber type funding to bleed out others and permanently change consumer behavior to where they then become and indispensable tapeworm to movie houses.

http://www.vulture.com/2018/05/can-moviepass-survive-the-summer.html

Now that I'm used to paying $9/mo for movies, I'll prob never really want to pay full price ever again. Not too different from how after using Napster, I never really bought a $16 album again. Moviepass just needs to pull this number on enough consumers -- not that I'm in favor of that type of parasitic behavior but it apparently is the way of the world these days.

One of the issues is you are not getting the Dolby Digital or IMAX for that $8.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

One of the issues is you are not getting the Dolby Digital or IMAX for that $8.

Yea I'm not a big movie watcher so didn't realize that was a big deal but it appears to matter to a ton of folks.

 

[seminoledq]

This is the same model as an annual pass at an amusement park. It pays itself off in a small amount of visits but as someone else said, most will sign up and not use it nearly enough to pay off. I haven't been to a movie in 4 years so it's not for me.

 

[scottcu]

they change terms a lot so get in while the getting is good. My brother see at least 5-6 movies a week

 

[OrlandNole]

Need to go to several movies a year for this to be worthwhile. Most people will end up paying and not going to movies frequently. Smart business idea.

That's the Planet Fitness business model. My understanding is that Movie Pass' strategy is to build a subscriber base, so they can start selling stuff (ads, etc.).

 

[ericram]

That's the Planet Fitness business model. My understanding is that Movie Pass' strategy is to build a subscriber base, so they can start selling stuff (ads, etc.).

And your data.

 

[SeminOwl28]

My local cinemas always have stuff that says no passes for the first 2 weeks and sometimes 3....

I see a movie a week usually but I don't know if I'd wait 2-3 weeks to use this pass for each new release

 

[cfbfan23]

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/moviepass-owner-declines-11th-straight-212657527.html

 

[BOwens21]

They make money by selling your info and movie going habits.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

They make money by selling your info and movie going habits.

Remains to be seen if they can effectively bring that revenue stream to life, though you're right, that's the long term bet.

As of now it appears they primarily make money by getting cut in on concessions at some theaters and by promoting certain movies via email marketing and in-app.

 

[NDallasRuss]

IT seems that Moviepass is not long for this world. It's stock price is down $132/share, down to $0.05/share.

It seems that raising prices and getting rid of the big perk that was the reason people wanted it in the first place (unlimited access to all movies), was not an answer to their problem.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Can't imagine them making it much longer but their short life will leave a lasting impact on movie houses and moviegoers.

If nothing else they forced AMC to adopt a pass model as well, which will benefit consumers in the long run. The industry was snoozing its way into oblivion, MP at least provided them the jarring wake up call they needed if they want to survive.

 

[ericram]

Wish I was able to get a bunch of capitalist to pony up all that money for my pet projects that the Movie Pass people got. Good idea. Bad implementation. AMC and the larger companies never bought in to allowing an outside company do this. Like @ReliableOstrich said it did force the theater companies to change for the better.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Wish I was able to get a bunch of capitalist to pony up all that money for my pet projects that the Movie Pass people got. Good idea. Bad implementation. AMC and the larger companies never bought in to allowing an outside company do this. Like @ReliableOstrich said it did force the theater companies to change for the better.

I equate MP's foray into the moviehouse market to Napsters into music.

Ultimately both companies failed (or will fail) but their vision created a paradigm shift for consumers that the industry incumbents couldn't undo.

 

[West Duval Nole]

So in theater of the 2017 movies I’ve seen: 1) Spider-Man Homecoming, 2) Wonder Woman, 3) Guardians of the Galaxy 2, 4) Thor Ragnarok, 5) It, 6) Valerian, 7) Blade Runner, 8) Dunkirk, 9) Logan, 10) Alien Covenant and that’s it. So probably enough to break even BUT I saw almost all of those in 3D, Imax, 4DX or a combo. I only saw three in standard definition because the reviews said the 3D and Imax weren’t worth it.

I don’t watch most comedies, Talky dramas, and horror movies at the theater, I catch those on Netflix, Redbox, or a premium channel. Now I pretty much just go to see Big action movies with only a few exceptions and when I pay I want the premium experience.

Then AMC's new program (I think it's called A-List or something like that) may be for you. I believe their's also includes IMAX an IMAX 3d but it is more expensive (I think 19.99 per month) and you get 3 movies per week.

 

[kc78]

I don't need unlimited movies, I just don't want to spend 48 dollars taking my family to a movie, and another 30 dollars just trying to get popcorn and drinks.

 

[ericram]

I don't need unlimited movies, I just don't want to spend 48 dollars taking my family to a movie, and another 30 dollars just trying to get popcorn and drinks.

That ship has sailed. If you want that you will need to wait for rental/blu-ray availability and watch from home.

 

[Nole Lou]

I don't know why they wouldn't just double the price a long time ago. Users might scream, but then they're going to do the math and see that it still can't be beat at twice the price. I think their premise was hoping that like a gym membership people would pay for it and not use it, and that's more likely at $10 than $20 or $25, but I think it should have been apparent some time ago that wasn't going to work.

The numbers probably still don't add up, but going to $25/mo some time ago would have bought them more time.

Frankly, I'm not sure I totally understand why the theater chains and movie pass couldn't play ball. I'm sure it has a lot to do with the way they went about it and what not, but this idea could have worked. You would have thought the chains could have worked out some dynamic pricing on the MP reimbursements on showings that weren't full, and everyone might have one. If MP can send 20 more people to a theater that's half empty, you'd think the chains would welcome that even at 50% revenue.

 

[Fijimn]

Classic bait-and-switch

 

[ReliableOstrich]

I don't need unlimited movies, I just don't want to spend 48 dollars taking my family to a movie, and another 30 dollars just trying to get popcorn and drinks.

They’re def going to get their pound of flesh for the popcorn and soda.

 

[fsu1jreed]

They make money by selling your info and movie going habits.

They don't make money off the tickets (it goes to the studios the first few weeks of a new movie and covers their overhead afterward).......they make their money off of the snacks.

 

[LesClaypool]

They don't make money off the tickets (it goes to the studios the first few weeks of a new movie and covers their overhead afterward).......they make their money off of the snacks.

When you buy a movie ticket, where does that money go?

http://theweek.com/articles/647394/when-buy-movie-ticket-where-does-that-money

 

[kc78]

They don't make money off the tickets (it goes to the studios the first few weeks of a new movie and covers their overhead afterward).......they make their money off of the snacks.

I understand, but that's just not a sustainable business model, or at least one I can consume frequently. I can't afford to go see movies as a family often and drop 80 dollars just for a movie and snacks.

And with tvs getting better, it's something I'm just far less inclined to do. I still love going to the movies and enjoying the experience with the family. But it's just too expensive.

 

[RangerNole]

I think it was fox business that had a segment on them. They are losing money badly, local theaters aren't helping them by doing their own specials, just a lot of problems making the concept work. They did say it was a good concept; just that these guys didn't lock down agreements and the price point wasn't very good.
I will say locally I can go to a our local TV channels office and get a movie pass for $15 that gets me a movie at anytime, popcorn, 2 drinks and a candy. Yea it is more but that is a pretty solid deal.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Movie theaters and shopping malls are both melting ice cubes.

Their time is coming to an end.