How to get cheap cinema tickets in December 2024

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Although we love the ease of streaming services — being able to come home after a long day in the office and switching on some soothing reality TV or gripping drama is blissful — we agree with director Martin Scorsese’s rant that subscription services are devaluing the art of cinema. After all, movies like Anora and Queer are destined to be enjoyed on the big screen.

So, with all of this in mind, we’ve been determined to find ways of making the cinema cheap again. From monthly passes and two-for-one discounts to savings through the likes of Vodafone and Three, these are the best ways to get cheap cinema tickets.

Plus, as finding cheap tickets is something of the RadioTimes.com team's speciality — just take a look at our how to get cheap Disneyland Paris tickets, how to get cheap theatre tickets, how to get cheap football tickets, and how to get cheap concert tickets guides — you can be reassured that we've scored the deepest corners of the internet to bring you the best deals.

Going to the cinema is a great date night, and for more activities to do with your other half, check out the best couples experiences, best birthday experience gifts, most romantic UK filming locations, and best London date ideas.

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How to get cheap cinema tickets
Best cheap cinema tickets and deals at a glance
Best cheap cinema tickets and deals for December 2024

How to get cheap cinema tickets

family at the cinema cheap discount cinema tickets uk — Get kids cinema tickets for as little as £2 andresr/Getty

Before booking to go to the cinema, it's important to check if you can get discounted tickets because, more often than not, you'll be able to knock a few quid off your bill.

If you have a phone or broadband contract, chances are they will offer a rewards scheme to get discounted tickets for concerts, theme parks, the cinema, and more. Vodafone, Three UK, O2, and Virgin Media are amongst the providers who offer cheap cinema tickets.

It's important to shop around; buying from the cinema's website or on the door won't be the best way to bag cheap tickets. Sites like Fever and Tastecard are brilliant for discounted cinema tickets, and if you're looking to turn a cinema trip into something a bit more special, Buyagift, Virgin Experience Days, Red Letter Days, and The Ticket Factory have plenty of great experiences.

Plus, here at RadioTimes.com, we've introduced an exclusive offer for our subscribers: when you register for free at RadioTimes.com, you'll be directed to register for a Vue Pass (also for free), and then you can buy Vue cinema tickets for up to 30% off. But more on this later.

Unfortunately, unlike with things such as train tickets, buying cinema tickets in advance won't lower the price. Plus, most cinemas release tickets only a week in advance anyway. But do not fear our cinema-loving readers, we've got plenty of ways to help you claim cheap cinema tickets.

What day is 2-for-1 cinema tickets?

This varies depending on where you claimed the offer from, but 2-for-1 cinema days are usually weekdays.

With Meerkat Movies, you can grab 2-for-1 ODEON cinema tickets every Tuesday or Wednesday for a whole year when you buy a qualifying product from Comparethemarket.com.

What day is the cheapest to go to the cinema?

Typically, weekdays are the cheapest to go to the cinema as places, such as Meerkat Movies, offer the 2-for-1 cinema ticket promotion during the week. However, we have some brilliant deals below, from Tesco Clubcard, Fever, Vodafone, and more, that get you discounted cinema tickets on weekends.

For other budget-friendly days out, take a look at how to get cheap Alton Towers tickets, how to get cheap LEGOLAND tickets, and how to get cheap Chessington tickets.

Plus, find plays in our best West End shows list from just £12.

Best cheap cinema tickets and deals at a glance:

Best cheap cinema tickets and deals for December 2024

Paul Mescal plays Lucius in Gladiator II Paramount Pictures

Get up to 30% off cinema tickets with Vue and RadioTimes.com

What's the deal: When you register for free at RadioTimes.com, you'll be directed to register for a free Vue Pass, then you can buy Vue cinema tickets for up to 30% off. When you buy your cinema tickets of choice on the Vue Pass, you'll be given a voucher code to either redeem the tickets on the Vue website or in person.

Why we chose it: As it's free to register at RadioTimes.com and Vue Pass, this 30% off cinema tickets deal is a no brainer.

Get up to 30% off Vue cinema tickets at RadioTimes.com

See two films for the price of one

What's the deal: What if we told you that you could see two of the most popular films out at the moment for the price of one? Well, we have a deal that lets you do exactly that, with the ODEON myLIMITLESS card.

Why we chose it: A ticket to Wicked at ODEON Acton costs £14.95, while going to see Gladiator II at the same cinema will set you back £9.95. However, if you have the myLIMITLESS card, you can see both movies (as well as an unlimited amount over the month) for just £14.99 per month.

Become a myLIMITLESS member from £14.99 per month at ODEON

For a more unique day out, take a look at the best animal experiences, top UK driving experiences, best pottery classes and experiences, and best steam train experiences.

Discounted cinema tickets at Fever

What’s the deal: Participating cinemas in London are offering discounted tickets via Fever. See the latest films from just £3.99 at Vue, and from £6.99 at ODEON. Plus, there’s the option to join waiting lists for soon-to-be-released movies.

Why we chose it: As we've just mentioned, if we wanted to see Gladiator II at the ODEON in Acton, a ticket would cost from £9.95. However, if we bought a ticket for a Vue cinema at Fever, a seat would cost us from £4.60 - that's a saving of £5.35.

Buy cinema tickets from £4.60 at Fever

Do you enjoy watching spooky films at the cinema? Take the thrill from the screen to real life with these terrifying experiences: best York ghost tours, best UK Halloween experiences, best Edinburgh ghost tours, and best UK zombie experiences.

Get four cinema tickets for £8.95 with Groupon

What’s the deal: Groupon has some fantastic deals to help you bag a cinema ticket for less, including four tickets for £8.95 at Vue cinema, the perfect deal for a movie night with friends.

Why we chose it: With Vue cinema tickets usually costing anywhere from £9.99, that means that this deal can save you a huge £31.

Get four cinema tickets for £8.95 at Groupon

Two for £8 Odeon tickets at Vodafone

What's the deal: Mobile network Vodafone has partnered with Odeon to bring its customers two Odeon cinema tickets for just £8 and two Odeon Luxe cinema tickets for £13 with VeryMe Rewards.

Why we chose it: If you're already a Vodafone customer, this deal is a no-brainer. If you're planning on switching phone contracts, Vodafone is also a brilliant option; the UK mobile network offers its own loyalty programme — VeryMe Rewards — which not only offers cheap cinema tickets, but also the chance to snag handy discounts on supermarket essentials, as well as weekly Friday treats such as free coffees, two-for-one meals, and so much more.

Two for £10 Odeon tickets for Prime members

What's the deal: Amazon Prime members can get two Odeon cinema tickets for £10 on Monday through to Thursday, or two Odeon Luxe cinema tickets for £15.

Why we chose it: Amazon has said that research shows a dinner out (49%) and a night at the cinema (36%) are the UK and Ireland's favourite winter date nights, so the retailer has endeavoured to put great dates back on the agenda with this fantastic offer. In total, the deal offers a saving of more than 45% on an Odeon cinema ticket.

For more great Amazon Prime offers, be sure to check out our guide.

Cinema experiences with Buyagift

Bristol Film Festival with a Wine Tasting at Averys Wine Cellar how to get cheap cinema tickets — Bristol Film Festival with a Wine Tasting at Averys Wine Cellar via Buyagift Buyagift

What’s the deal: If you fancy making a day or an evening out of your cinema trip, Buyagift has just the experience packages for you. Some of our favourites include cinema tickets with dinner and tickets to Bristol Film Festival with wine tasting.

Why we chose it: Despite some of the vouchers not saving you a huge amount of money, there are some real gems on the Buyagift website. Plus, the experiences can be claimed at various locations across the UK.

If you're a fan of seeing a film in style, check out our guide to the best London luxury cinema experiences.

Plus, here are the best UK family days out to take your little ones on this month.

Cinema experiences with Virgin Experience Days

Hidden Vintage Cinema Experience with Cocktail for Two how to get cheap cinema tickets — Hidden Vintage Cinema Experience with Cocktail via Virgin Experience Days Virgin Experience Days

What’s the deal: Like with Buyagift, Virgin Experience Days offers cinema experiences which make watching a movie a whole lot more special. Plus, the site offers bundles on Cineworld tickets, which include snacks and drinks, saving you a couple of pennies.

Why we chose it: If you're buying someone a cinema experience, perhaps for a birthday or an anniversary, a gift card from Virgin Experience Days is a thoughtful idea.

Wondering what to do in London this weekend? We've got you covered.

Save on the latest films with Tastecard

What’s the deal: First of all, what is Tastecard? Tastecard is a one-stop shop for discount codes for your favourite restaurants, cinemas and shops. Tastecard has partnered with high street and independent cinemas to bring you up to 25% off cinema tickets.

Why we chose it: The money you save on cinema tickets can be spent on snacks instead. Smart idea? We certainly think so. Plus, your Tastecard membership not only includes offers on cinema tickets, but also deals like saving 50% off food at thousands of UK restaurants like Zizzi and Prezzo.

Start your 90-day free Tastecard trial

These are the best films in concert to watch this year.

Save when you become a cinema member

granddad granddaughter at cinema cheap cinema tickets uk — Kong Ding Chek/Getty

What’s the deal: Many cinemas offer memberships where you can pay a monthly fee and see as many films as your heart desires, for example, myLIMITLESS from ODEON offers unlimited films, savings on food and drink, and exclusive screenings from £14.99 a month. Similarly, experience as many movies as you like with Cineworld Unlimited from £10.99 a month.

Why we chose it: A lot of the time, you’d only have to visit the cinema twice a month to get your money’s worth. Plus, you get 10 per cent off food and drink, and if you haven't already guessed, a discounted snack is a priority for the RadioTimes.com team.

Based in the midlands and north of England? Take a look at the best Birmingham shows and best Manchester theatre shows for top day out inspiration.

Two Vue tickets for £8 for Vodafone customers

What’s the deal: Vodafone customers can redeem this Vue offer — two tickets for £8 — once a week. The offer will appear on the My Vodafone app every Monday. There is a tiny bit of small print, however: you’ll need to have a monthly or small business contract, or if you’re a pay-as-you-go customer, you’ll need to have topped up at least £10 in the last 60 days.

Why we chose it: The offer covers any 2D movie, and can be redeemed on the weekend, which is a huge rarity as that’s the most popular time to go.

Turn Clubcard vouchers into cinema tickets

What’s the deal: Is there anything Tesco Clubcards can’t do? If it’s not saving us money on our meal deal, it’s getting us cheap tickets to Thorpe Park or cheap tickets to LEGOLAND. Now, you can get three times the value on your Clubcard vouchers — for example, 50p becomes £1 — when exchanged for a Cineworld code.

Why we chose it: ‘Every little helps’, as Tesco would say! Any amount of money off a cinema ticket is a win in our eyes.

One film every day with Fever

What’s the deal: Check out the participating Vue cinemas in Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Liverpool, Birmingham or Manchester, decide the film and time, then buy your Fever E-code to use on the listing and save yourself some pennies. There's some fantastic films out at the moment that you can use the code on, such as Conclave and Gladiator II.

Why we chose it: From just £3.99, you can watch a film at participating Vue cinemas in UK and Irish cities such as Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, Liverpool, and more.

See the latest releases from £3 with Three UK

how to get cheap cinema tickets uk 2023 couple watching a movie — Getty / MixMedia

What’s the deal: Another great deal you can bag by simply having a phone contract, and this time, it’s from Three UK. Three+ members can get Cineworld cinema tickets for just £3 to watch some of the best films out at the moment, such as Despicable Me 4 and Joker: Folie à Deux.

Why we chose it: There's no better time to escape from the cold and watch a great movie. Plus, the RadioTimes.com team likes to recommend deals that don't require any extra heavy lifting from you, for example, if you're a Three customer already, this offer bags you something a little bit extra.

Take a look at some of the other fun experiences we offer, like the best film and TV studio tours and the best Star Wars experiences.

Plus, did you know a new F1 Drive experience and Formula 1 Exhibition has landed in London?

What's the deal: As well as bringing you the latest ticketing announcements, such as Sabrina Carpenter tickets, Guns 'N' Roses tickets and Nelly tickets, the top things to do this weekend, such as the best golf experiences and best Brighton gift experiences, the RadioTimes.com Going Out newsletter also delivers on the biggest deals.

Why we chose it: If there's a saving we think is worth shouting about, you can be sure the Going Out team will cover it on our newsletter. The Going Out newsletter will land in your inbox every Thursday at 5:30pm.

Sign-up to the RadioTimes.com Going Out newsletter

Cheap cinema tickets for kids

What’s the deal: An offer you can use during the school holidays and beyond: a selection of UK cinemas offer discounted tickets for children aged 14 and under, and their accompanying adult. Tickets start from just £2.50 at Cineworld and £2.75 ODEON.

Why we chose it: Keeping kids entertained, particularly during the holidays, can be expensive. That’s why any deal that keeps the cost of family days out down will be shared with you with the utmost priority!

For more discounts the whole family can make use of, be sure to take a look at our how to get cheap Disneyland Paris tickets and how to get cheap Chessington World of Adventures tickets.

Two cinema tickets for £9 with Priority

What’s the deal: What’s better than discounted cinema tickets? O2 phone and Virgin Media broadband customers will love this deal: Priority offers two Vue cinema tickets for just £9, allowing you to enjoy all the latest releases at a heavily discounted price. Plus, you can secure 20% off cinema snacks, too.

Why we chose it: With tickets for Vue cinemas normally costing £9.90, this deal will save you £10.80.

Two free Vue cinema tickets for Sky Cinema customers

What's the deal: Sky Cinema customers can claim two free Vue cinema tickets each month, and they're valid to use at any Vue cinema in the UK and Ireland from Sunday through to Thursday.

Why we chose it: If you're already a Sky Cinema customer, we're going to take a guess and say you love movies, so why not watch films from the comfort of your own home and at the cinema, too?

One free cinema ticket each week with MUBI GO

What's the deal: For just £18.99 per month, you can get one hand-picked cinema ticket every week and stream great movies anytime, just like a regular streaming service. Plus, there's a seven day free trial.

Why we chose it: The RadioTimes.com team like this deal because it encourages you to try new movies; MUBI GO selects the film of the week, and it's up to you whether you choose to see it or not. This week (Monday 9th December), the movie is On Becoming A Guinea Fowl.

Sign-up to MUBI GO for £18.99 per month

As much as we'd love to, it's practically impossible to go to the cinema every day, so be sure to check out our Disney Plus offers, NOW TV offers and Virgin Media offers.

Laura Wybrow