Looking for the best ways to get cheap cinema tickets? Whether it’s a date night with your special someone or a family day out during the half term, we've got all the cinema deals and tricks you need to save on your next trip to the movies.
The price of a cinema ticket depends on where you live, when you visit and any memberships or schemes you’ve joined. We’ll start with cinema deals you may already have access to, then move on to talk about ways to save at the big UK chains.
If you want... | Start with... |
|---|---|
Cheapest standard ticket | |
Regular cinema trips | |
Family trips | |
Children's screenings | |
A special occasion | |
Discounts at multiple chains |
Cinema deals you may already have access to
You may already qualify for free or discounted cinema tickets without realising it. See if you qualify for any of the cinema deals below.
Sky Cinema
Usable at: Vue
Sky Cinema subscribers with access to the MySky app can get two free Vue tickets every month. These can be used to see any 2D film between Sunday and Thursday.
O2 Priority
Usable at: Vue
O2 Priority and Virgin Media Broadband customers can get codes for discounted Vue cinema tickets each month. Get two 2D general admission tickets for £9, or four tickets for £18.
Use your unique O2 Priority code to buy Vue e-codes, which can be exchanged for tickets online or at the ticket office. You’ll also get a 20% off voucher to use on food and non-alcoholic drinks during your visit, with a minimum £15 spend.
Club Lloyds
Usable at: Vue or ODEON
Club Lloyds customers who choose cinema tickets as their Lifestyle Benefit can enjoy six free Vue or ODEON cinema tickets as their chosen annual perk with Club Lloyds.
At Vue, you can also enjoy a half-price bucket of popcorn during your visit. The ODEON perk includes a free kids’ popcorn if you’re seeing a kids’ screening with your family. Your member benefits refresh every year, as long as you remain a Lloyds current account customer.
Vitality
Usable at: Vue or ODEON
People with a qualifying Vitality membership can enjoy a half-price Vue or ODEON cinema ticket every week.
You'll need to hit 12 Vitality Activity Points during one week to qualify for your discounted ticket. Hit a four-week streak with 12 points each week and you'll earn a completely free cinema ticket.
Octoplus
Usable at: Vue
If you have an Octoplus membership through Octopus Energy, there are often Vue cinema deals available. One offer will get you two Vue tickets for £8 (with no booking fees), plus 15% off food and drink. These deals are released weekly, so availability may vary.
AA Breakdown cover
Usable at: Vue
AA Breakdown customers get access to a range of exclusive offers, including up to 30% off Vue tickets. Log in to your AA Breakdown account to buy your Vue cinema vouchers via AA. You can redeem your voucher online or at the Vue ticket office to exchange it for your tickets.
Your voucher can be used on one standard 2D, 3D, VIP, Recliner, Gold Class, Xtreme Screen or IMAX ticket. If you don’t select a standard 2D showing, you’ll need to pay the difference in ticket price.
Three+
Usable at: Cineworld
As a Three mobile customer, you can access a range of discounts and rewards on the Three+ loyalty app, including two Cineworld cinema tickets for £10. Get two adult 2D standard tickets each week, which can be used on any day. Booking online will incur a booking fee.
Tesco Clubcard and Tesco Tuesdays
Usable at: Cineworld and Picturehouse
Convert your Clubcard points into vouchers to spend at Cineworld or Picturehouse. Your vouchers will double in value, so 50p in Clubcard vouchers becomes £1 to spend.
You can also put your Clubcard points towards a Cineworld Unlimited Pass. Even better, book online using Clubcard vouchers for a Tuesday showing at Cineworld to get £5 cinema tickets. This means you can exchange just £2.50 in Clubcard vouchers for a Cineworld ticket.
Lidl Plus
Usable at: various participating cinemas
Get up to 40% off cinema tickets at a range of participating cinemas with Lidl Plus via The Cinema Society. Use your discounted vouchers to exchange for tickets at various chains, including Vue, ODEON, Showcase and Omniplex.
Blue Light Card
Usable at: various participating cinemas
Blue Light Card members can buy discounted vouchers online or on the Blue Light app and exchange them for cheap cinema tickets. Offers vary, but often include Vue, Cineworld, ODEON and Showcase. Blue Light Card membership costs £4.99 for two years of benefits.
Discounts for Teachers
Usable at: various participating cinemas
Teachers can join the free Discounts for Teachers scheme to get discounted cinema vouchers. Exchange your vouchers for cheap tickets at ODEON, Cineworld or Vue, saving up to 40%.
CEA Card
Usable at: various participating cinemas
If you have a disability or are a carer for someone who does, you could save money with a CEA card. You can get one free ticket to accompany a full-priced ticket to as many screenings as you like throughout the year. The CEA card costs £6.50 per year. Get more information about eligibility on the CEA website.
Cinema memberships, loyalty schemes and discount days
Read a summary of the main discounts, deals and membership schemes at the UK's biggest cinema chains below.
Vue
Offers worth checking: Club Vue, Sky Cinema, O2 Priority, Club Lloyds, Vitality, AA Breakdown, Octoplus, Blue Light Card
Vue are generally regarded as an affordable cinema chain. You can often get Super Saver tickets for around £5, but bear in mind that seat upgrades will cost you more. Tickets are usually cheaper when you book online, with the booking fee included in the ticket price.
Become a Club Vue member for free and collect a digital stamp in the Club Vue app every time you make a booking. Once you have 10 stamps, you'll be rewarded with a free film ticket. Other member perks include the chance to earn free cinema food and drink, as well as the option to self-refund any tickets purchased online up to two hours before the film is due to start.
For kids, Vue Mighty Mornings include discounted showings of relatively recent releases as well as nostalgic classics like Chicken Run and Wallace & Gromit. These showings run on weekends from 10am, as well as during school holidays.
ODEON
Offers worth checking: ODEON Limitless, Screen Unseen, Club Lloyds, Vitality, Lidl Plus, Blue Light Card
ODEON now have a simplified ticketing system, offering only adult and children tickets. There are no concession prices for seniors or students, although students can often get discounts on paid ODEON memberships.
Tickets are cheaper when you book online, and the booking fee is included in the ticket price. Premium seats will cost more.
ODEON EXTRAS is a free loyalty scheme where members get access to discounted tickets starting from £4.50 on Saver Mondays, flexible bookings, fuss-free refunds and a free birthday treat each year. You'll also earn 25 loyalty points for every £1 you spend at ODEON, which can be turned into discounts on future visits.
If you see two films at ODEON within three months, your membership can be upgraded to EXTRAS PLUS. You'll get all the same perks, plus 10% off tickets when booking online and access to member-only screenings. Instead of 25 points per £1 spent, you'll earn 50 points, and you can also enjoy large popcorn at medium popcorn prices.
With an ODEON myLIMITLESS pass, you can see all the latest films on the big screen whenever you want, plus 10% off most cinema food and drink, all for £16.99 per month. Other perks include exclusive invites to see films before they're released and 25% off at PizzaExpress. Get one month free if you pay for your pass annually.
Upgrade to the myLIMITLESS Plus membership for £19.99 per month, or £219 annually and get one month free. This membership includes access to Luxe cinemas, as well as infinite seat and screen upgrades.
Enjoy a mystery cheap cinema experience with ODEON’s Screen Unseen showings, where you pay as little as £6 for your ticket to a total surprise film. All films are highly-acclaimed pre-releases, but you won’t know what you’re seeing until the lights go down.
Take your little ones to see recent films at discounted ODEON Kids showings every Saturday and Sunday at 10am, and during school holidays. Make sure you’re signed up to myODEON and order your tickets online if you want to get the best price.
Cineworld
Offers worth checking: Cineworld Unlimited, Three+, Tesco Clubcard, Blue Light Card
Cineworld tickets are often cheaper online, although there is a booking fee.
See unlimited 2D films with a Cineworld Unlimited membership card, with prices starting from £12.99 per month (depending on your area). You’ll be able to pre-book up to five films at a time and attend exclusive preview screenings of upcoming releases. There’s also 10% off snacks and drinks, up to 50% off Event Cinema, 10% off in-house Starbucks, and 25% off food at various restaurant partners.
If you're paying monthly for Cineworld Unlimited, you'll be upgraded to a Black Card after your first three months. Those who pay for 12 months upfront get automatically upgraded to the Black Card at the point of purchase. The upgrade won’t cost you anything, but means you’ll be able to book 3D tickets and get 25% off snacks and drinks.
Cineworld family tickets give adults access to children's ticket prices. They’re available for groups of two adults and two kids, or one adult with three kids (14 and under). Catch recent family films for a fraction of the usual price every Saturday and Sunday at 10am and during school holidays with Cineworld's Movies For Juniors.
Showcase
Offers worth checking: Showcase Insider, Lidl Plus, Blue Light Card
Showcase don’t have a huge presence in the UK, but they have generous discounts worth checking out. Groups of four adults booking tickets together can get a 10% discount with a Group Together ticket at select cinemas. Families can also enjoy discounts, valid for groups of four containing at least one adult and two children aged 14 or under. The fourth ticket can be either an adult or a child.
We’ve also seen cheaper family tickets at selected Showcase cinemas during some school holidays. For £25, a family of four (two adults and two children or one adult and three children) could get entry to a selected kids' film, showing before 5pm.
With a Showcase Insider membership, you can enjoy cheap movie tickets without paying for a subscription. It’s free for anyone over the age of 15 to join, and members get 10% rewards on food, drink and tickets. You’ll also qualify for discounted tickets on Saver Mondays, as well as 15% off upgrades to XPLUS.
Everyman
Everyman are a luxury cinema chain, so they’re usually not the best choice for cinemagoers on a budget. However, if you do want a little bit of luxury, there are a couple of ways to cut the cost of your tickets.
Concession prices and family tickets are available for off-peak showings. Everyman family tickets are valid for two adults and two children (up to the age of 14), but as they’re only offered at certain times, make sure you check before you book.
Everyman memberships are quite an investment, but they can help you save if you already pay for Everyman cinema tickets on a regular basis.
The standard Everyman membership costs £95 per year. Instead of unlimited tickets, you’ll get six free tickets per year. You can bring a guest for free on Mondays and sometimes Tuesdays (excluding bank holidays and special events). If you brought a guest along for all six visits, that works out at £7.90 per ticket. You’ll also get a few other perks, including 10% off food and drink and zero booking fees.
Upgrade to Everyicon membership for £350 a year and get 24 cinema tickets (plus free guest tickets on Mondays and sometimes Tuesdays) and exclusive access to member previews. The ultimate Everywhere membership costs £680 per year and gets you unlimited tickets for you and a guest.
Other cinema deals to consider before you book
The following cinema discounts can be used for a range of chains. You may need to pay a subscription or purchase a qualifying product to access these deals.
Tastecard
With a Tastecard membership, you can enjoy up to 25% off your cinema tickets at over 350 cinemas, plus a range of other perks.
This is a paid subscription with two tiers, although you may be able to get a free trial of Tastecard so you can try before you buy.
Get £15 cashback for joining TopCashback
We secured this exclusive offer, but our content stays unbiased.
Spend £15+ on your Tastecard membership or any of 5,500+ brands to get £15 back
It's really simple: our site takes just 30 seconds when you buy online.
You do the shopping, we'll track your purchase, and then you'll get cashback in your account to withdraw to your bank or as a gift card.
Here's how to get your £15 offer;
- Click: Click the green button
- Join: Create an account
- Shop: Browse brands on our site
- Buy: Click Get Cashback then make a purchase
- Enjoy: We'll add £15 to your account once we track your purchase
How does TopCashback benefit? We make money when you buy from supported brands, which allows us to offer cashback with no hidden fees.
Meerkat Movies
Meerkat Movies members get 2-for-1 cinema tickets every single week, which can be used on Tuesday or Wednesday.
To qualify for this Meerkat cinema deal and enjoy a year of Meerkat Movies and Meals, you’ll need to buy a qualifying Compare the Market product. Your weekly 2-for-1 cinema voucher code can be found in the Meerkat app. Show this code at the cinema box office, or apply it to your booking online.
ShowFilmFirst
Enjoy free and discounted cinema tickets with ShowFilmFirst. The scheme is free to join, and you’ll receive regular emails with offers for films, theatre shows and more in your area. You may be asked to share your feedback about any films or shows you see through ShowFilmFirst.
Discount sites
A quick search of discount voucher websites like Groupon and Wowcher can help you find a cinema deal. We’ve seen deals offering two Vue cinema tickets for £9.50, five tickets for £22, and 10 tickets for £40.
Discounts for different groups
Children, students, senior citizens and people with disabilities can often get cinema discounts. Not all cinema chains offer these concessions, so check before you go.
Families
Families can often get discounted group tickets at the cinema, although the exact offers vary between chains.
If you have a child under two, keep an eye out for discounted Parent & Baby screenings at your preferred cinema. These tickets are usually discounted, and the showings have a ‘lights up, sound down’ policy to help you feel relaxed while you enjoy the latest films without worrying about your little one making noise.
You and your child are free to move around the auditorium during the film without worrying about disturbing other cinema-goers. These Parent & Baby screenings are usually held on weekday mornings and afternoons, when cinemas are at their quietest.
Students
Some cinemas offer student discounts on film tickets, including Cineworld and Showcase. Everyman also have discounts for students, but only for off-peak showings. Make sure you bring a valid student ID with you in case you’re asked to prove your student status.
Seniors
If you’re over 60, you may qualify for a discount on your cinema tickets. Some of the big chains run Silver Screenings, where you can see a relatively recent film at a discounted price. You may need to show ID.
Carers
Individuals with a valid CEA card can bring a carer or companion along with them for free. Many cinemas also offer accessible screenings, such as quieter showings where the house lights are left on.
Other ways to save on cinema trips
Here are a few final money-saving tips to help make your next cinema trip more affordable.
Skip the cinema food
Not all cinemas forbid customers from bringing in their own food and drinks. For the purpose of safety and everyone’s enjoyment of the film, most cinemas still say a big no to taking in hot food, alcohol or anything in glass containers (including glass bottles). If you’re not sure, ask a member of cinema staff about their food and drink policy.
Avoid ticket mark-ups
Many cinemas these days charge premium rates for better seats. You might get a more central seat with more legroom and perhaps a recliner, but you’ll often pay for the privilege. Film buffs might be happy paying extra, but if you’re not fussed when it comes to seating, this is a great opportunity to save money.
The type of screening you attend will also affect the price you pay, with 2D showings being cheaper than 3D and IMAX films.
Check out independent cinemas near you
Sometimes independent cinemas offer cheaper tickets. While the screens might not be as big or high-tech, you’re likely to enjoy a more intimate and memorable cinema experience.
Smaller cinemas sometimes run exclusive events alongside film screenings, including Q&As with cast members and directors. Why not support your local independent cinema and experience a different kind of film event?
Look out for National Cinema Weekend
What used to be National Cinema Day became National Cinema Weekend in September 2026, with two full days of discounted cinema tickets at a range of chains across the UK. Keep an eye out to see if this event returns in 2027.
Earn cashback
We have cashback deals to help you save on cinema tickets and memberships. When you purchase from one of our retailers after clicking through from our site, we'll give you a portion of your spend back.
We offer cashback on digital ODEON and Cineworld gift cards you buy through TopGiftCards. Read our guide to using TopCashback to learn more.
Get £15 cashback
Join 25+ million members saving money
Cinema ticket FAQs
How much is a cinema ticket?
Cinema ticket prices depend on where you live, with tickets in London costing considerably more. Premium seat upgrades, 3D tickets and IMAX tickets will nearly always cost more than standard 2D admission tickets.
Which is the cheapest day to go to the cinema?
Off-peak screenings can help you save money on your cinema tickets. For example, weekday mornings and early afternoons may be cheaper than weekends.
Can you buy a ticket at the cinema?
Yes, you can buy cinema tickets at the cinema box office or main counter at most cinemas. Buying your ticket in person can be a great way to avoid booking fees, although some chains offer cheaper tickets online.
Are cinema tickets cheaper online?
It can be cheaper to buy your cinema tickets online, depending on the chain. You may have to pay booking fees when booking online, but some people deem this worth the price because you can reserve your preferred seats ahead of time.
How far in advance can you book cinema tickets?
This will depend on the cinema you're visiting and the film you're hoping to see. You can often buy tickets for big releases weeks or even months before the films actually come out.
This is because cinemas know which films are likely to be popular, so they’ll allocate their biggest screens for those dates in advance. For smaller releases, tickets and times are usually released on a weekly basis.
Plan your next cinema trip today
The price of your cinema ticket depends on a range of factors, but there are ways to cut costs.
Before you book your next cinema outing, make sure you check whether you already have access to any deals. If you see films quite regularly, it could be worth comparing standard ticket prices with any membership subscriptions available.
Once you’re ready to book, have a quick look at TopCashback to see if we’re offering cashback at your chosen cinema.
What's your most memorable cinema experience?
Let us know in the comments.
My first 3D experience. It was amazing.
Watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. I took my son to watch the midnight showing on the 15th July 2011. The atmosphere was amazing, everyone was in such a good spirited mood. The film was so much better than I anticipated.
Being 7 months pregnant and going to see casino royal James Bond. And when the music started it woke my baby up and he was doing summersaults in the womb because of the loud booming music
The ending of Infinity War. I don't think I've ever been in a cinema where everyone is in that much shock at an ending. Complete silence as the credits rolled. Epic!
Going to see Mary Poppins with my nan and cousins when I was little.
My first cinema visit to watch Star Wars at the age of 8…blew my mind
War and peace – last century 😊
I have not been to the cinema in a very long time, until recently when Deadpool & Wolverine came out, that has been my first experience back and it was blissful, there were only a total of 5 people watching the film in 3D, and apart from one not turning their phone to silent mode, it was otherwise a very peaceful viewing, almost felt like a private viewing.
Brilliant day out to see a brilliant movie!
I remember going to a small cinema in leyburn N Yorkshire and watching the muppets and the first time at a cinema there was a half time break.
Getting the top central seat and feeling like I own the cinema and it was on the day of my birthday! We went to go watch burlesque.
I loved the Saturday morning cheap films with my daughters, great affordable fun. But more recently seeing my youngest daughter's face when she experienced Wonka in 4DX- she loved every minute@
I was amazed when the imax cinema came out. Was really immersed!
Mission impossible – one of my first dates with my husband, someone on the film falls down a stair well with a huge bang and my husband jumped about 3 foot in the air and yelled! So embarassed!
Going to see the Titanic film (3 hrs long) twice in one day as a teenager!
Walking out of the Blair witch project. Not because I was scared but because how bad the film was !
4D showing for Mario and Luigi. It was my first 4D film. What a blast!
Watching films at a British Forces cinema as a teen on an RAF base in Germany. Everyone would try to make a run for it when the credits started to avoid having to stand for the national anthem, which played at the end of the film
Going to see the first star wars.
Watching Harry Potter and the philosopher’s stone … I was so excited to see how my imagination would match to the screen I was 12 years old
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
It was great watching all of the flight scenes and space scenes on a big screen. The special effects were great to see at the cinema.
My best moment at the cinemas was taking my 3 grandchildren to watch the Minions movie and they little faces lighting up at the size of the screen, to watch them all laughing at the movie 💙💖💖.
My most memorable trip is going to the cinema on a first date. I was 10 years old and we watched ET.
My favourite is seeing marvel movies on opening weekends, everyone is laughing,hearing every gasp and the waiting for the end scene credits.
Barbie comes a close second but yeah marvel takes it for me especially Thors Love and thunder. That was hilarious.
WENT TO SEE THE EXOCIST WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT, SCARED ME TO DEATH SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE IN THERE TOO
Going to see Dr Dolittle on my own and finding I was the only person in there for that viewing!
Winning tickets to see Care Bears the movie. Best cinema viewing ever!
Getting my family together to go and see Bohemian Rhapsody. We had grown up and moved out but my brother and I were bought up on Queen so I knew we had to go and see it as a family with our parents too. It was like being on long car journeys again, all of us singing along to the hits.
I remember going to the cinema as a kid with my Mum to see Incredible Journey (about 2 dogs and a cat) and bawling my eyes out at the end even though it was a happy ending (I think…?)! I must have been about 7 or 8. It must have been in the early 70s (although I just looked up the film and it was made in 1963).
Going to the Odeon at the Trafford Centre…we went to see the Ghost concert, Rite Here Rite Now. It was the next best thing to seeing them play live…great atmosphere…lots of the audience were dressed up too 😁
My older brother taking me to see StarWars & I was 7 years old
We moved away from family and Granny was missing us. For her birthday treat we booked her tickets to see Paddington and we got the train 100 miles back and surprised her by turning up in the next seats. She was gobsmacked!!
Getting to take my little girl to the cinema for the first time ❤️ went to see super Mario brothers she loved it 😍
After 2 days partying for my prom my boyfriend insisted on going to the cinema to watch The Matrix. Needless to say I fell asleep straight away and had to watch the movie once again
Date night with my now husband 🥰🥰
Went to watch United 93 and the whole cinema was in tears at the ending, extremely powerful moment.
Watching the Disney films with the kids and laughing at the adult comments and the kids looking at you and not understanding the joke
Hook – Mom fell asleep snoring
Jurassic Park
Watching Lord of the Rings in the cinema for the first time was beyond epic!
Taking my little girl for the first time to the movies. She was so excited and loved that she could sit with a big tub of popcorn to herself.
My first 4dx film The conjuring The devil made me do it.
Seeing Saturday Night Fever for the first time. Still get goosebumps after all these years
My 4dx trip
Seeing my first film on the big screen – Back to the Future
Taking my son to see a film and being the only 2 in the whole cinema.
Felt like our own private screening!
Watching films after coming off night shift, warm comfy and safe. Lovely treat before heading home for a good sleep, full of dreams inspired by the film
Taking my son to the cinema for the first time, he was so excited and loves going
Watching all of the Lord of the rings trilogy in cinema – so good
Seeing James Bond films as a kid was always awesome. They were such an event back in the day!
Going to see Grease in 1978 three Fridays in a row when I was 10 years old. Had a massive crush on Danny 😀 😀