Bargains still abound in Southern Nevada movie theaters
With seemingly every other movie this summer opening in 3-D, IMAX or both – and with tickets for these premium formats costing as much as $17.50 locally – moviegoers can be forgiven for feeling a sense of sticker shock at the box office.
But rather than seeing fewer movies to offset the occasional splurge, there are ways to see more movies for less.
Valley theaters charge $8-$8.50 for matinees and $10-$11 for adult evening tickets, with a $3.25 or $3.50 surcharge for 3-D.
But at the West Wind Drive-In, 4150 West Carey Ave., double features cost $6.50 for adults.
If you’re patient, the Tropicana Cinemas, 3330 East Tropicana Ave., offers recent releases – this weekend’s lineup includes such features as “Prometheus” and “Men in Black 3” – for $1 on Tuesdays and $1.50 every other day, topping out at $3 for 3-D movies.
But for new releases in a traditional theater setting, you can’t get cheaper than the Cinedome 12, 851 S. Boulder Highway, where matinees before 6 p.m. cost $4.50 and adult evening admissions are $6.50, with a $2.25 3-D surcharge.
So why are its tickets so cheap? Officially, there’s no response, as its employees aren’t allowed to talk to the media and Cinemark officials wouldn’t comment. But the location isn’t great and, having opened in 1993, it’s ancient by local standards.
The Cinedome is an odd collection of mismatched screens. They are no frills, the chairs are uncomfortable and sound bleeds through the walls from other theaters.
And with its purple, orange and green walls, it looks like The Alamo reimagined by Punky Brewster.
But the Cinedome was doing brisk business Friday afternoon. And not just in the domed theaters on either end that offer a funky, retro vibe.
After all, $4.50 is $4.50.
If you live in other parts of the valley and don’t want to blow all your savings on gas, here’s a look at discounts besides the standard ones offered to students, seniors and the military. (The following prices don’t include 3-D surcharges.)
Rave at Town Square, 6587 Las Vegas Blvd. South, offers $5 tickets to all Tuesday shows. Wednesday tickets are $5 with valid student ID. Tickets to the first showing of each movie before 2 p.m. are $6 every day. And tickets for hotel and casino employees, with work ID, and their guests are $8.
At the Rainbow Promenade, 2321 N. Rainbow Blvd., moviegoers 60 and over can attend any Tuesday screening for $5, students can get in for $7 all day Thursdays, and showtimes before noon cost $5 every day.
At Brenden Theatres at the Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road, tickets are $5 all day Mondays for all 2-D movies, except those from IMAX and Sony. On Tuesdays, two tickets, two drinks and a popcorn are $22, with the same restrictions. All day Thursdays, anyone 50 and over with a players card can purchase tickets for $4 and a small popcorn and small drink combo for $3.50.
Regal Entertainment Group offers $6 tickets all day Tuesdays at its theaters at Green Valley Ranch, 2300 Paseo Verde Parkway; Fiesta Henderson, 777 W. Lake Mead Drive; and Colonnade, 8880 S. Eastern Ave. With membership in the company’s Crown Club, featured candy is $2 on Mondays, and small popcorn is $2 on Tuesdays at all Regal theaters.
Tickets to the first showing of every movie every day are $7 at The Orleans, 4500 Tropicana Ave.; Sam’s Town, 5111 Boulder Highway; Santa Fe Station, 4949 N. Rancho Drive; South Point, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd. South; and Suncoast, 9090 Alta Drive.
On Tuesdays, seniors with players cards can get $4 tickets for shows before 4 p.m. at The Orleans, $4 tickets for shows before 5 p.m. at the Suncoast or $3 tickets all day at Sam’s Town. Seniors with players cards can buy $4 tickets for shows before 4 p.m. weekdays at the South Point.
And at The Orleans, Sam’s Town and Suncoast, anyone with a players card gets a free small popcorn with a ticket purchase on Wednesdays.
Contact Christopher Lawrence at clawrence@review journal.com or 702-380-4567.
