AMC Releasing Moviepass Competitor, AMC Stubs A-List
It is no secret that Moviepass and AMC do not get along. There was a short period where Moviepass wasn’t accepted at the busiest AMC theaters. Well AMC isn’t pulling their punches any more, they are going right for the throat.
Variety reports that AMC will release AMC Stubs A-List, a new movie plan service. On AMC’s website they tease to come back June 26th to sign up for the service.
Details
AMC Stubs A-List sounds like a merging of Sinemia and Moviepass. It also offers some things that the other programs don’t. If you frequent an AMC theater there is a lot to like about this new program. The details are as follows:
- The plan costs $19.95 per month
- You are allowed to see 3 movies per week
- Premium movies are included
- See all 3 movies in one day if you choose
- You can check in for the movie before getting to the theater
- Earn Stubs points on the monthly fee but not on the ticket costs
- The week runs from Friday to Thursday
- You can see the same movie more than once
My Thoughts
I have to say this sounds like a well thought out, well designed program. This fills in a lot of the weaknesses of Moviepass & Sinemia.
The plan does require you to frequent an AMC theater. Even though AMC is the largest theater chain out there it will not work for many that are not near one of their theaters. In that case Sinemia and Moviepass allow you to go to other theater chains and are a better fit for you.
If AMC is your theater of choice then you have a decision to make. This plan would allow you to go to 12 movies per month, including every type of premium movie. That is something you can’t do with Moviepass at all and only once every 30 days with Sinemia. You can also see more than one movie per day.
The cost and set up seems a little more viable since AMC is the benefactor of the ticket sale and concession sales. They are probably willing to give discounted tickets to fill seats since most movies are not sold out. They do that in the hopes of getting some money back at the concession stand.
You can not purchase tickets for other people which would have been awesome but understandably against the rules.
I am tempted by this but I will probably stick with Moviepass for the time being since it is less expensive and I don’t go to premium movies. I only go to 4-5 movies per month which would not offer me much value with the AMC program. But should Moviepass go belly up like many predict I would give AMC’s program a good long look for sure.
Conclusion
This is a very intriguing offer from AMC. I am not surprised they are doing it since the are the big kid on the block and they want to flex their muscles. They can afford to take some of the lumps that the avid users will take because of their overall size.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out with Moviepass and Sinemia. Do they lose membership at all? Does AMC try to restrict either program from being used at their theaters? Only time will tell.
This may be the most all encompassing movie plan on the market now, besides the obvious AMC limitation. What do you think, is this the best plan out there? Will you be making the change next week?
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I have a home theater, so don’t need nor want to go a movie theater. I have the popcorn machine with real butter topping and flavorings for those who like that and a candy stand. Wide screen 3D projector with awesome 7.1 THX sound. Seating like what AMC has been stalling in some of their theaters. So, no need to worry about being disturbed by people who want to have conversations instead of watching the show, surfing their smartphone, or active shooters. The FesterPass is the best movie deal…
I am A list, I love it. I go to one IMAX movie that’s 15 bucks right there. It includes 3D too. I enjoy going to the movies, and at ten bucks a ppp (sans Tuesdays and matinees ), I get my money back after 2 movies. It’s a great deal… their app is dope too…
Good to hear it – I haven’t received any feedback yet so thanks for sharing.
There is a logistics problem in most households I think with getting 2 people on their phone apps at the same time to reserve seats side-by-side. Especially for opening nights/weekends, premium format movies, & special events that sell fast/out.
$40/mth would buy 8, $5 tickets on Tuesdays/month at AMC (or 2/wk) without committing to any plan. Not premium movies but if wanting other “deals” only at AMC theaters they can already be had without spending $480/yr for 2 people. At an average movie tkt price of $9, that’s 2 people realistically seeing 2 movies/month, which I’m already doing for less than 1/2 of that at $203/yr with Sinemia.
That said, the Stubbs program is a good value without this add-on. MP is crazy popular because it’s cheap & plentiful – this program isn’t.
AMC has apparently not addressed the couple’s issue. If you could buy & reserve seats together for at least 2 people, I would consider.
As it stands, though, they should offer an alternative, cheaper plan for reduced movies/month. Like $9.99/mth for 1 movie/week? I pay $16.99/mth with Sinemia for 2 sets of tkts twice/mth. The AMC plan would be well over double that for 2 people. I don’t need as many movies as they are offering & sure don’t need the higher price they are charging for it when I still can’t even buy 2 tkts together for the same movie. What good is being able to buy a seat with the latest screen formats but sitting next to a stranger?
Research must show a whole lot of people go to the movies alone, because I don’t otherwise understand this limitation on 2 programs now since Sinemia shows the technology is clearly available.
I am sure they are assuming you purchase two plans and just pick your seats at the same time together since you can do it days in advance.
If you are only able to see two movies a month then Sinemia is the best option for sure. I think they want the higher amounts of movies per week so they can justify the higher price and then hope people start only seeing 3-4 a month once the novelty wears off.
But for people who want to go to multiple movies or to more than one premium movie per 30 days this is a great option imo. It all comes down to personal situations.
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