MoviePass is back, but it's not the same. The popular subscription service — which at its height allowed users to see one movie per day for around $10 a month — has relaunched with new prices and restrictions. Its waitlist opened on Monday, and as of Wednesday morning, more than 463,000 people had signed up.
Subscribers will pay a set amount each month (more details to come) and then receive credits each month that can be used toward movies. Each movie's credit value will be dynamic, and will vary based on time of day and day of the week — in other words, a matinee showing might cost fewer credits than a Friday night show. Unused credits roll over for up to two months. In addition, subscribers can give away credits to anyone.
AMC, Regal, Alamo Drafthouse and Cinemark are among the theater chains that will be participating. The list will be expanded to include more theaters in the future, MoviePass says.
The new MoviePass app will allow you to search for theaters, movies and showtimes. Once you find a showtime, tap "Check In" in the app, then swipe your MoviePass card with a ticket agent or kiosk to get your ticket.
MoviePass is hoping that this new version can help revive theater attendance, which cratered during the coronavirus pandemic and hasn't returned to pre-pandemic levels. It's a bold plan, and the company will need to balance the needs of its investors with those of filmgoers and theaters.
