MoviePass, the once-popular movie subscription service, will return just as the summer blockbuster season wraps up. In order to sign up though, you’ll have to join a waitlist that is only open from August 25-29, 2022. After that, you’ll need an invite. But you could start enjoying the benefits of cheaper movie tickets as soon as Labor Day, September 5. Though there’s still not a lot of details, pricing will be based on zip code, with tiers of $10, $20, and $30.
Per a report in Variety, Stacy Spikes will return to run the service. One of the co-founders, Spikes was fired when the service was acquired by Helios and Matheson Analytics. The company then filed for bankruptcy in 2020. In its last few years, subscribers were frustrated by changes to plan options and blacked out showings. There were also service disruptions and lawsuits claiming bait and switch practices.
But chronic moviegoers and those ready to return to the theater will likely flock back to the service. According to the MoviePass website, the service will work at all theaters that accept credit cards. Returning customers will get bonus credits, but it will roll out in waves based on popular locations.
MoviePass’s popularity prompted big theater chains like AMC to create their own subscription services. AMC’s Stubs A-List club is still running. It offers up to three movies per week, including IMAX releases. It also allows for seeing the same movie multiple times and more than one movie per day, both features that the previous version of MoviePass didn’t include. AMC’s price point is $19.95 per month but again varies based on zip code. The priority line for popcorn may be the best perk though. We’ll see if MoviePass can compete.
Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. She also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth.