TOP 10 Cheap Ways To See A Movie – Auckland Edition

Mar 19, 2019 | 7 min read
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$5 MOVIE TICKETS AND FERRY MOVIE DEALS? THIS IS THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SEEING MOVIES ON A BUDGET (CAPTAIN MARVEL IS OUT BTW)

Nowadays going to the movies has become increasingly rare amongst us students. It’s so overpriced with standard student tickets costing up to 18 dollars, so why would anyone want give up their hard-earned living costs from papa Studylink?

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Here are 10 deals that actually make going to the movies worth it, and you’ll no longer have to click out of 5 NSFW ads just to watch 2 minutes of film.

1. $5 Wednesday at Academy Cinemas

Academy Cinemas is a little gem nestled in the heart of the city, if you venture down the few flights of stairs you will find a retro feeling, boutique cinema, with the classic prices to fit. 

Deal:

  1. Pop down for a film any day of the week before 5pm and you can nab student tickets for just $9!
  2. Anytime after 5pm is still only just $12, but these still aren’t even the lowest prices.
  3. $5 Wednesday! Any film, anytime, for anyone, just $5 – You may want to BOOK IN ADVANCE since they only have 2 screens with 10 showings a day.

Where: Academy Cinemas (44 Lorne St, CBD)

Terms:

  • Student prices are only available with a valid student ID.

2. Devonport Return Ferry & Movie Combo

This may be one of the cheapest, yet cutest date nights you can have in Auckland.

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The guys at ‘The Vic in Devonport’ have teamed up with Fullers to create an amazing movie and ferry combo. Regardless of price, this one is definitely the most fun on the list and I highly recommend it.

Deal:

  1. For just $19 you can get a return ticket to Devonport and back from the city and see any film at the Victoria Cinema, anytime and any day of the week – This makes the movie ticket about $11 if you’re using your tertiary enabled HOP card, or $4 if you’re paying the full price of an adult! 

Where: The Vic (48 Victoria Rd, Devonport)

Terms:

  • Purchase your Ferry + Movie package online or at any Fullers Ticket Office.
  • Visit thevic.co.nz or call 09 446 0100 to find out more about movies and screening times.

3. Saver & Super Saver Deals at Hoyts

Ah, the classic Hoyts. Known notoriously for their overpriced movie tickets and food. 

I bet you’re wondering why they’re even on this list? 

Give me a chance. Hoyts have recently revamped their pricing system, removing standard adult, senior, child, and student tickets. They have instead set a flat rate of $18 for any movie goer, but they have also introduced ‘Saver’ and ‘Super Saver’ movie sessions. This is available all over Auckland so it is super handy when these more specific cinema deals aren’t nearby.

Deal:

  1. Attending a ‘Saver’ session the ticket price drops to a manageable $15
  2. ‘Super Saver’ session will only set you back $11!

Where: Hoyts (Various)

Terms:

  • Visit the Hoyts website to view when the ‘Saver’ and ‘Super Saver’ sessions are on.

4. Saver & Super Saver Deals at Berkeley Cinemas

Berkeley Cinemas located in both Takapuna and Mission Bay offer the same ‘Saver’ and ‘Super Saver’ scheme as Hoyts, but at an even better price! In summary, there’s no bad time to go to Berkeley Cinemas.

Deal:

  1. Regular session tickets only cost a modest $13.50.
  2. ‘Saver’ sessions decreasing this price to $12.50
  3. ‘Super Saver’ sessions coming in as the real MVP, with tickets costing just $10!

Where: Berkeley Cinemas (Takapuna & Mission Bay)

Terms: None

5. $10 Everyday Tickets at Event Cinemas, Westgate

When going to big movie cinema chains you can expect the ticket prices to pretty much stay the same location to location. Although, for some reason the Event Cinemas in Westgate decided to not follow this rule and basically made ‘Cheap Tuesday’ everyday.

Deal:

  1. Pop in anytime of the week you will be pleasantly surprised to find that a movie ticket only costs $10 for everyone!

Where: Event Cinemas (Westgate Shopping Centre, 1-5 Fernhill Dr, Massey)

Terms: None

6. $5 Student Monday at Bridgeway Cinema

Now, if you can’t make Academy Cinema’s $5 Wednesdays, don’t worry, Bridgeway Cinema has you covered. Located just over the shore in Northcote next to a beautiful lookout you will find the classic arthouse cinema. The location and the cinema are both just amazing and with $5 Mondays existing, I’m sold.

Deal:

  1. Pop in on a Monday, tickets for students are REDUCED to a tasty $5!
  2. Regular student tickets cost $12-12.50

Where: Bridgeway Cinema (122 Queen St, Northcote)

Terms:

  • Student prices are only available with a valid student ID.

7. $11 Vodafone Tickets & Cheap Tuesday at Event Cinemas

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If you, a friend, or the random weird guy sitting next to you in your lecture are Vodafone customers then you can use Vodafone Rewards to score cheap movie tickets! If you don’t know anyone who’s with Vodafone then have no fear, Event Cinemas is also home to the famous ‘Cheap Tuesday’.

Deal:

  1. If you nab a ticket for a session on Sunday-Thursday, or Friday and Saturday before 5pm they’ll only cost you $11 a pop!
  2. Friday and Saturday after 5pm will still only cost you a decent $14
  3. Head on down to any of the cinemas on a Tuesday and tickets will only cost $12.50, instead of the usual $16.50!

Where: Event Cinemas (Various)

Terms:

  • Vodafone Rewards movie tickets only available with an active Vodafone account.
  • Cheap Tuesday tickets still require a valid student ID ($13 otherwise).

8. $12 Everyday Tickets at Reading Cinemas, New Lynn

I understand that some of these methods to get cheap tickets may be more pain than what they’re worth, but Reading Cinemas out west in New Lynn keeps it real and offers one price for everyone, any session, any day!

Deal:

  1. Ticket will always cost $12!

Where: Reading Cinemas (Inside Lynn Mall Shopping Centre, 3058 Great North Rd, New Lynn)

Terms: None.

9. Cheap Student Tickets at Capitol & Lido Cinemas

Capitol Cinema and Lido Cinema, located down the road from each other in Balmoral and Epsom both offer quality student deals throughout the entire week! 

Deal:

  1. Head on down between Wednesday-Monday with your student ID and a ticket will only cost $13.
  2. Tuesday tickets are decreased to $11!

Where: Capitol & Lido Cinemas (Balmoral & Epsom)

Terms:

  • Student prices are only available with a valid student ID.

10. $10 Movies with a ‘Cinebuzz for Students’ Card

If you’re willing to make a small investment, you can nab $10 movie tickets all year round at any Event Cinemas location! For just an annual payment of $10,any student can upgrade to a ‘Cinebuzz for Students’ card. Plus you’ll earn points every time you visit which you can use on free tickets! 

Now I’m not a mathematician, but if a standard student ticket costs about $16.50, you have to VISIT JUST TWICE A YEAR to make money off your ‘Cinebuzz for Students’ membership, and that’s good business.

Deal:

  1. ‘Cinebuzz for Students’ card for unlimited $10 movie tickets.

Where: Event Cinemas (Various Locations)

Terms:

  • Present your student ID to a staff member and pay the $10 annual joining fee.
  • 2D movies only.