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Movies Businesses Entertainment

AMC is Creating a Rival Service To MoviePass (axios.com) 72

Posted by msmash from the how-about-that dept.
AMC said on Wednesday it is creating a VIP tier of its loyalty program, a subscription movie theater pass called AMC Stubs A-List, which will allow users to see three movies a week in AMC theaters for $20 a month. From a report: The offering rivals that of MoviePass, a subscription movie service with longstanding tensions in negotiating pricing and theater distribution agreements with AMC. Tensions between AMC and MoviePass had gotten so bad that last year that AMC said it would try to block MoviePass. MoviePass CEO Mitch Lowe told Axios in an interview in January that MoviePass brought in 1 million tickets for AMC in December alone. Like MoviePass, the AMC subscription will let users see a certain number of films for a monthly flat fee, but will only be viewable in AMC theaters.
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AMC is Creating a Rival Service To MoviePass More

AMC is Creating a Rival Service To MoviePass

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  • Bankruptcy (Score:3)

    by crypticedge ( 1335931 ) on Wednesday June 20, 2018 @09:04AM (#56815694)

    Also, AMC isn't nearly bankrupt, unlike moviepass

    • Also, AMC isn't nearly bankrupt, unlike moviepass

      This is probably a very smart move, unlike MoviePass. $20 a month is probably too much for average Joe who only sees two or three movies a year; but it might encourage somepeople to sign up thinking less than $6.50 a movie - sign me up... and the gym factor sets in. It's cheap enough people don't cancel- but people stop going anyway... free money for theatres- those not going subsidize those that do.

      This would have been great when I was a young, single and dating. I would buy two of these passes and hol

      • Also, if the buyer doesn't see a movie, there's no revenue sharing with the studios. All it takes is a missed movie once in a while to greatly increase their ticket profits with this.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Junta ( 36770 )

        Here they control things from getting *too* out of hand (3/week at most), they mandate brand alignment (AMC theaters), and sure they have people who will pay and not use, but it won't be too terrible for people to feel like they *should* go to the theater to get value for their subscription and then blow a ton of money on concessions ('hey, I didn't have to buy tickets, I can buy even *more* crazy expensive concessions!' is the sort of thing our brains tend to do).

        • They also still get $9 for a bucket of popcorn that costs .25 to make, or similar profit margins on anything that people buy at the concessions. Outside of opening weekend for blockbuster movies, there's tons of empty seats at every showing, so getting people inside, where most will spend extra money, is a huge side benefit to this supposed bargain.

          • That profit margin is entirely thanks to movie studios, not movie theaters, FYI.

            For popular movies (like Star Wars), there's a good to great chance that theaters are making $0 on each ticket sale for the first few weeks, because in order to show those movies, 100% of proceeds must go back to the studio.

            For less popular movies, maybe only 85% of the proceeds go back to the studio. Yay.

            If they charged reasonable amounts on concessions, they'd all go out of business. If they don't play by the rules of the stud

            • The theaters are charging exactly the amount that people are willing to pay. If you think they'd lower the prices on concessions if the studios suddenly let them keep more than half of the ticket sales gross, you're a naive fool. The studios know that they make tons of money on concessions, and that's precisely why they can get away with keeping all the proceeds on a blockbuster, because they know the theater still won't go out of business.

              In other words, you have it completely backwards, "FYI". And the o

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by tlhIngan ( 30335 )

          Here they control things from getting *too* out of hand (3/week at most), they mandate brand alignment (AMC theaters), and sure they have people who will pay and not use, but it won't be too terrible for people to feel like they *should* go to the theater to get value for their subscription and then blow a ton of money on concessions ('hey, I didn't have to buy tickets, I can buy even *more* crazy expensive concessions!' is the sort of thing our brains tend to do).

          And chances are, your three movies a week w

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by Junta ( 36770 )

            True, if you get a free concession then you stop at the concession stand, whereas otherwise you might blow past it.

            Of course, I have also seen theaters do away with the ticket office and instead require you to go to the concession counter to get your tickets, so they do have alternative methods of getting people right in front of the concessions.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by mentil ( 1748130 )

        An AMC near me has a theater with reclining plush seats and an HDR laser projector; a ticket is ~$18. If this could be used for that, it'd pay for itself after 2 movies. If it could be paid for month to month, one could wait for a few good films to be showing at one time, maybe subscribe every other month, or only when a 'must-see' film comes out. I'm sure the details will be finessed so that it ends up making AMC more money rather than less; if it turns into a Netflix-style "why pirate when you can see it

  • How do the studios get paid? (Score:4, Interesting)

    by paiute ( 550198 ) on Wednesday June 20, 2018 @09:07AM (#56815718)
    I was under the impression that the studios received the majority of the box office for the initial run of a movie. How are they going to be happy about getting 20/12 bucks now for each ticket?

    • They might have the size to push back (Score:5, Insightful)

      by H3lldr0p ( 40304 ) on Wednesday June 20, 2018 @09:30AM (#56815850) Homepage

      Considering that AMC is now the largest theater chain in the US, possibly the world (depending on how that partnership with the Chinese firm goes), they might have the ability to push back against Hollywood's unreasonable financial demands. Like the ones where Disney demands the entirety of the receipts for the first three weeks of certain Avenger or Star Wars films. Or where Disney asks for an extra 25% of receipts from any or all special events the theater may host ahead of the premiere of said films.

      Just so we're all on the same page, this isn't the theater chains being greedy. They're just trying to survive the ever increasing avarice of Hollywood.

      • AMC needs more dolby atmos screens and $8 beers

      • "ever increasing avarice of Hollywood." - as if AMC is any different.

        There is a pie. Everyone wants a bigger slice than they currently have. Studios, AMC, actors, writers, cable pullers.... everyone. It's just a constant battle where everyone is pushing against everyone else.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by H3lldr0p ( 40304 )

          The size of the pie does not stay constant and the game is not one of being a zero sum. Competition has a place in these things but not to the detriment of the kitchen that it's being held in.

          • What detriment?? Studios are making money. Theater chains are making money. Actors and crew are making money. People are clearly being entertained and still going to the theaters in record numbers, despite all the home entertainment options that have cropped up in the last decade. What detriment?

            I don't even know what the "kitchen" is supposed to represent in your analogy, and I don't think you do either.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by mentil ( 1748130 )

        The obvious question is why they don't limit first-run films to a single showing per day, and then blow it up on the second run? AMC has enough theaters they could get away with it, far fewer people would see it on the first run. The only thing I can think of is that losing concession stand sales to first-run masses going to another theater loses them more than they gain from increased second-run ticket sales. And there'd be potential antitrust issues if they attempted it.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by suutar ( 1860506 )

      we don't have details on _which_ movies AMC will include in the program, so my first guess would be that the initial run of anything big will not be allowed, like with the free passes and such. Once the studio cut is down to the buck-and-change per, they can pay that from the 20 dollar fee and let the theater reap the profit from your snacks and drinks.

    • I was surprised this includes new releases...but the press release and the consumer FAQ both at least imply that there are no restrictions on what movies can be seen. Perhaps the business model includes the assumption that some percentage of members won't use all three movies each week. I mean honestly, I don't think I could keep up with 3 movies a week. That's a lot of time commitment and there just aren't that many movies out at any given time that I want to see. I guess if I knew in a given month th

      • ... the assumption that some percentage of members won't use all three movies each week. I mean honestly, I don't think I could keep up with 3 movies a week.

        Even if you just saw 1 movie a week, $20/month for 4 movies is still a deal compared to the regular price.

        • I rarely find four movies in a month that are playing at theaters that I want to see. I realize this means I'm probably not their target market, but even four movies a month consistently seems like a stretch. Even a summer blockbuster month like June... I might want to see a couple of the films released this month. Incredibles 2 and Jurassic World 2..maybe Ocean's 8. If I was going to sign up for this AMC thing, I'd have to change my entertainment plans to consistently be going to movies. Not too dis

    • The studios don't mind. The cinemas make their money on popcorn and snacks. People who can go to a couple of movies a week are less likely to buy the vastly overpriced snacks ("cheapening the movie experience"). The cinemas aren't making much money of them even if they receive full price for their ticket.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Junta ( 36770 )

      I presume the studios receive whatever price they mandate, and that pricing details are up to the theaters and any amount above of below the studio's take is up to the theaters. So if more people come out, the theaters presumably have to pay the same rate to the studios even if the theater is discounting to the customer.

    • In my town we have a theater that runs first-run movies for $4/seat. (Place was filled for Incredibles 2 this week.) They make it work, probably like other theaters do: rape you on concessions.

      • Rape you?

        Uh, just don't buy concessions. How hard is that?

        • Perhaps they specialize in kids movies. It's harder for a parent to refuse to buy concessions for screaming begging kids. Anyway as someone who never wants to eat in a theater and probably wouldn't take the popcorn if it was free, I'm happy being subsidized.

          • If you're a parent and you can't say no to a "screaming begging kid", you deserve to pay an 800% markup on Skittles.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by AHuxley ( 892839 )
      Use a studio in Canada and save. Try a New Zealand. Ireland? They welcome movie making and support new TV shows and movies.

  • Why would AMD be creating a service similar to MoviePass? I mean it doesn't make any -

    oh wait.

    • GMC... all you can drive. Pick any truck off any GMC lot- and drive it as much as you want for a month. $400 a month. Subscription pick-ups.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by hawk ( 1151 )

        It already exists. Not for trucks, but for Cadillacs. https://www.bookbycadillac.com/ [bookbycadillac.com]. $1,500 month includes insurance and maintenance. They pick up and deliver when you want to change model or col9r.

        I believe there's a more expensive plan for V-series.

        Other luxury makers, or those that fancy themselves as such, have similar.

        No $400 truck plan, afaik; it would probably be near-cadillpc in price if it existed.

        hawk

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by mentil ( 1748130 )

      The movie studios were convinced that FreeSync was a reincarnation of the Analog Hole, so AMD tried to invest in Popcorn Time but bought out some lousy movie ticket subscription company on accident.

  • Do the math (Score:1)

    by Anonymous Coward

    Do the math on this. I just looked up movie ticket prices in my area (MN) and it's $12.90 for a regular non-discounted movie. If I saw three of those types of movies per month, call it $39. So for about half that ($20/month) AMC will let me see three movies each month.

    My problem is that I just don't want to see that many movies anymore. Movies have become stale, the ones you hear about are shooting for "blockbusters" and "action." Even movies that focus on story can only fit so much into 100 minutes. There'

    • Re:Do the math (Score:4, Interesting)

      by YuppieScum ( 1096 ) on Wednesday June 20, 2018 @09:37AM (#56815888) Journal

      Do the math on this. I just looked up movie ticket prices in my area (MN) and it's $12.90 for a regular non-discounted movie. If I saw three of those types of movies per month, call it $39. So for about half that ($20/month) AMC will let me see three movies each month.

      A little more maths is required, along with a smidge of reading comprehension. The summary says three movies a week, which is (more or less) twelve movies a month with a potential saving of ~US$135.

      On the other hand, I doubt there are that many movies I'd care to see, unless they also show lots of classic back-catalogue material...

      • AMC's pricing becomes better if you take advantage of premium offerings, namely IMAX, Dolby, and 3D options; some tickets will go as high as $20 for a single screening. However, I just find it better to take advantage of their $5 Tuesday Tickets --- there tends to be less people overall, and most movies by then will have passed the opening-weekend-surge.

        For me, there seems to be a different psychological effect between AMC's approach ($20/month --- watch LOTs of movies) vs Cinemark's approach [cinemark.com] ($9* ticket/mo

      • You are not the target demographic.

  • AMC - Please 'look under the hood' (Score:1)

    by Anonymous Coward

    Before you do or think or especially spend *any*thing - look into exactly Who Owns AMC theatres...

  • Both my partner and I are in a membership program called Limitless and for €21.99 per month we can see as many movies as we wish for that month including blockbusters. We go most weekends and see about 2 to 3 movies each time. After 2 movies we're quids in. Over all its quite a good deal.

  • I went to read the (very short) article linked to by the summary and the link to the actual AMC announcement [amctheatres.com] was just the word "Wednesday" hyperlinked...

    I have to admit I was pretty unsure what I would get clicking on a link to just the word "Wednesday". Would I get a dictionary definition? Some kind of add for an Adams Family Blu Ray special? Almost the last thing I expected to reach was the AMC press release...

    Very curious choice.

    Also for those curious, the program opens Tuesday, June 26 on the app and

  • A third of the movies for twice the money isn't a reasonable alternative to Moviepass.

    • Agreed! There is nothing here that would make me give up my Moviepass! AMC is just pissed that they don't control Moviepass and that they didn't think of it first!

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Paxtez ( 948813 )

      A third of the movies for twice the money isn't a reasonable alternative to Moviepass.

      While I enjoy my MoviePass, I would get this if I had AMC theaters in my area:
      - Book on-line (instead of driving to the theater and seeing that there are no good seats) and buy in advance
      - IMAX and 3D Films (IMAX Good, 3d Meh)
      - Same movie multiple times
      - Don't have to worry about AMC going up in smoke or deal with increasing MoviePass issues (changing of rules, photo of ticket stub, etc.)
      - Seeing multiple movies in a day might be useful (although you can't really do t

      • You do have some good points. Having to go to the theater to reserve a seat is an inconvenience. IMAX and 3D make my wife motion sick and I'm just cheap, so we never see anything in those formats.

        You can use Moviepass to see the same movie more than once. Just use the unlisted showtime feature.

    • Comment removed based on user account deletion

  • Three movies per week?? Shit. I don't even find three moves per YEAR worth seeing in the theater.

    AMC should concentrate on:

    1). Having content worth watching.
    2). Having a movie-going experience that doesn't completely suck (props to Alamo Drafthouse here)

    Too bad Chick-Fil-A doesn't go into the movie theater chain business. You can bet the experience would be awesome and the food good....just be a drawback that you couldn't give them your business on Sundays.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by jonwil ( 467024 )

      #1 is outside AMC's control. Although given that films like Infinity War, Black Panther, Ready Player One and many others make in the millions of dollars, your definition of "worth watching" and that of the public at large probably differ.

      • Not really. AMC could fund the production of quality content if it wanted to, just like Netflix and Amazon do.

        I heard Netflix is looking to buy a theater chain to put its stuff in. Maybe it will buy AMC (:

  • Except my nearest AMC is 50 miles each way, an extra 30 miles from my most-visited city, Fredericksburg, Va. The AMC is up the road at exit 156 of I-95, while F'burg is at Exit 130. 26 miles plus a little more to get to the theater. OK, the theater is maybe 48 miles each way. But the extra 52 miles is about 2 gallons extra for the new Jeep at $2.60 a gallon or $5.20 per movie. Extra. And of course that's not considering depreciation of the extra miles, or tire wear, or more frequent oil changes, etc.

  • I'm curious if the offer is restricted to just the standard screens or if the IMAX and Dolby theaters are included. If so, I'm grabbing my wallet now.

  • This would be awesome if there were great movies being released every week. But for the most part, I'm happy waiting for most movies to wind up on Netflix or Amazon.

  • it sounds like an amazing deal. the amc in the mall in highland park (dallas) the tickets are usually about 16$ each before you even look at the food board. (in contrast, the amc in valley view which is literally an abandoned mall (and half demolished)) are only 6$. but this means for 20$ i can go sit with all the people ok with paying 16$ three times a month without showering or shaving just to stick it to The Mans that go there!

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