After reading several news stories about the movie subscription service called MoviePass, I grabbed a limited-time offer from Costco that included one year of MovePass and a year of the streaming movie service, Fandor.
And what a deal it was at just $89 for both. The MoviePass subscription allows you to watch one movie per day at participating theaters, which in Hawaii include Consolidated and Regal.
Whether it’s as good a deal for theaters, movie distributors, or other parts of the entertainment food chain, remains to be seen.
I had my doubts about how and whether this would really work, but it has worked like a charm. Once you register your account, you receive a MoviePass Visa debit card, and use a smartphone app select a movie you want to see before buying your ticket. This loads the price of your ticket onto the card, which you then use to buy your ticket.
No, we haven’t seen the allowed movie-a-day, but certainly taken in more films than we would have gone to without MP. So far, we’ve tried it at three different theaters. No problems in any of them.
The Costco discount offer apparently expired last month, but there’s a slightly higher priced intro offer available directly from MoviePass.com for $105.35, which does not include the Fandor service. And I presume that after Year 1 the price will bounce up. Whether it’s still a hot bargain at the regular price is a question we’ll confront next year.
It isn’t clear how the economics of this work for either MoviePass or the theaters.
One article I read indicated MoviePass is marketing the consumer data they collect from subscribers, and probably also negotiate additional theater discounts or fees from distributors.
But this is one you shouldn’t over think. If you’re into movies, it’s a great deal, as long as its available.
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Theaters on first-run films typically do not make much on ticket sales, but rather from the concessions.
And with Movie Pass, there’s more $$ left over for the concession.
Hubby followed your advice and charged it on his credit card. Then he realized he would need a smart phone to attend a movie. He has an iPad only, no smart phone. So, he canceled the charge.
I went to the website and downloaded the App. Everything looked great. I signed up. I then found out that you need a smartphone at the theatre to finalize the transaction. I don’t have one. I cancelled. However they are going to charge me the processing fee and one month rental. I now have to use the fraud protection on my credit card to avoid payment. Beware of this company.
Your personal data is being repeatedly sold and resold to numerous organizations with various intentions. And when (not if) MoviePass goes bankrupt, that data will be sold to organizations that have even worse intentions. Not worth the risk. What is your privacy and security worth?
MoviePass CEO admits watches where you go before and after watching movies:
http://bgr.com/2018/03/06/moviepass-location-tracking-data-explained/
Those privacy promises also will mean nothing after the company is hacked.
I did receive a full refund. Next time I will look at all the details before I sign up or order anything. Take your time and do things right.
On the iPhone at least you should be able stop it from tracking you when not in use by turning off the Background App setting.
Thank you. I believe I have the best of Kuttner.