Are cinema memberships worth the money?

Get unlimited tickets for a monthly fee.

After a blockbuster summer for cinema, a deal offering unlimited tickets might seem like a fantastic money-saving plan, but how often do you have to use ODEON Limitless, Cineworld Unlimited, Everyman Everywhere and other movie memberships to make them worthwhile?

We’ve taken a look to see what you get for your money by signing up to the membership schemes of the UK’s major cinema chains.

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How cinema memberships work

There are two core types of memberships for the main cinema chains. The all-you-can-watch options will let you go every day, even more than once each day, if you want. The others will get you a handful of free tickets and then discounts on future ones.

Often you’re limited to just standard 2D screenings in normal seats, but some will let you access 3D showings, recliner seats and even event cinema such as theatre – though you’ll pay more for the privilege.

You can see the breakdown of ODEON MyLimitless, Cineworld Unlimited, Everyman, Curzon and Picturehouse memberships further down the page. But first, my thoughts on how to decide what represents good value.

Should you get a cinema membership?

I think value from cinema memberships comes down to three factors. If you can justify at least two of them, then potentially go for it.

How often will you go?

First is the most important, and it’s one very simple number – how often are you really going to go? Back in his 20s, Andy once managed 60 times in a year, but he confessed even he found that a bit too much.

I think if you can commit to going roughly two or three weeks out of four (between 26 and 40 visits a year) then you’ll likely be getting a bargain with a cinema membership. These are the key numbers used in the comparisons below, but that’s still a lot of films to see. Go less than this and the savings tend to be less likely.

Can you commit to just one cinema?

Next you need to consider if you’re likely to still visit other cinema chains. That could be because there aren’t many screens or certain films aren’t showing where you’ve got your membership – often the case for independent or foreign films. Perhaps it’s just a logistical matter because mates want to go elsewhere or you can only make a screening at 8pm.

There’s absolutely no point shelling out for an unlimited membership if you’re going to see movies elsewhere too.

But if you’ve only got one cinema then this is less of a problem.

Can you get a better deal elsewhere?

Finally, there are always managed to find deals to cut the price of my tickets. From six free ODEON or Vue tickets with Lloyds Bank through to a hack that’ll get you 2-4-1 Meerkat Movies. These can work out cheaper than the memberships, and give you so much more flexibility.

Of course, some of these memberships can also be used alongside other deals. There are tricks mentioned below for both Everyman and Cineworld memberships which effectively give you free tickets for two people if you go certain days. Bargain!

How the different cinema memberships compare

ODEON myLimitless

How it works

There are two versions of ODEON’s membership, called myLimitless. The standard offering works all over the UK, not just outside London. However you won’t be able to use it at Luxe locations. These are included in the myLimitless Plus membership.

With standard, you can go to as many 2D films as you want, though screenings can’t overlap. Extras such as 3D and IMAX require additional payments. You also can’t use your membership ticket to get another free ticket with Meerkat Movies.

You’ll be invited to free preview screenings. You can book up to four screenings in advance. There’s a 10% discount on food and drinks.

In addition, the Plus membership not only lets you watch films at Luxe cinemas, but also get unlimited access to premier or recliner seats, as well as 3D and iSense screenings. However you’ll pay extra for screen 1 in Leicester Square and Islington Luxe & Dine.

ODEON myLimitless costs

• Standard cost (excluding Luxe): £16.99 a month / £186 a year
• Plus cost (inc Luxe): £19.99 a month / £219 a year
• Annual discount: 8% if paid in full (12 months for the price of 11)

It’s worth keeping an eye out for occasional offers that bring down the price of an annual Plus membership, especially around Black Friday.

ODEON myLimitless membership details

• Minimum membership: 3 months
• How to join: At the cinema or via the ODEON website

Is ODEON myLimitless worth it?

If you go once a week with an annual pass, a ticket works out as just £3.58 (£4.21 for Plus membership). That’s not bad! But you have to go 52 times.

Let’s say you go 40 times, which is three films every four weeks. Then it’s still a decent £4.65 (£5.48 in London). It’s hard to find cheaper tickets.

If you drop down to a visit every two weeks, it starts to get pricier – and potentially not too different than what your local charges.

But even if you go once a month you could break even at some of the pricier locations. For example, a ticket at Tottenham Court Road is £17.49.

Visits per year	Cost per film (Standard)	Cost per film (Plus)
52	£3.58	£4.21
40	£4.65	£5.48
26	£7.15	£8.42
12	£15.50	£18.25

Cineworld Unlimited

How it works

Cineworld says that the monthly cost will be cheaper than two tickets a month – though the price will change depending on the location for your “home” cinema. There are four groups, and you can see which one your cinema fits into here.

The bulk of locations are in groups 1 and 2. Though not exclusively, group 3 contains most of the London cinemas, while group 4 adds in Leicester Sq. You can use your membership at all cinemas in your and lower groups – so group 4 is effectively every single Cineworld.

You can go to as many 2D films as you want, though screenings can’t overlap. Extras such as 3D and IMAX require additional payments, though if you continue for a second year 3D is included. There’s a 50% discount on “event” screenings.

In theory you can get another free ticket with Meerkat Movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so that would mean you’d only need one membership between you – if you only go midweek.

You’ll be able to see free previews and there’s a 10% discount on food and drinks, going up to 25% in year two.

How much does Cineworld Unlimited cost?

• Cost (Group 1): £12.99 a month / £155.88 a year
• Cost (Group 2): £17.99 a month / £215.88 a year
• Cost (Group 3): £19.99 a month / £239.88 a year
• Cost (Group 4): £22.99 a month / £275.88 a year
• Annual discount: None (though look out for offers)
• Other savings: Recommend a friend to get a free month each, or use Clubcard points at 2:1 value

Cineworld Unlimited membership details

• Minimum membership: 3 months
• How to join: At the cinema, via Tesco Clubcard or via the Cineworld website

Is Cineworld Unlimited worth it?

This one has the potential to be incredibly cheap, but only if you combine your free ticket with Meerkat Movies.

If you mainly go on a Tuesday or Wednesday to take advantage of this two for one offer in Group 1, you’ll pay just £4.20 for two tickets, based on 40 visits. That falls to a fantastic £2.10 per ticket.

Of course, if you’re on your own, in pricier groups, go different days or go less often, then it can get a lot more expensive. So once more you need to compare it to prices at your cinema to see whether you’ll save or not.

Visits per year	Cost per film (Group 1)	Cost per film (Group 2)	Cost per film (Group 3)	Cost per film (Group 4)
52	£3.23	£4.15	£4.61	£5.33
40	£4.20	£5.40	£6	£6.90
26	£6.46	£8.30	£9.23	£10.61
12	£13.99	£17.99	£19.99	£22.99

Everyman membership

How it works

The basic “Everyman” membership provides six free tickets. The next level up is the “Everyicon” membership, which offers 24 free tickets. However, both let you bring a friend for free on Mondays, potentially doubling your number of included tickets.

The “Everywhere” membership is a lot of money at £680 a year. However, it’s for two people at any time and you can go to as many films as you like.

All give you 10% off food and drink, and fee-free booking.

How much does Everyman membership cost?

• Cost (Everyman): £95 a year
• Cost (Everyicon): £31 a month / £350 a year
• Cost (Everywhere): £59 a month / £680 a year
• Annual discount: None

Everyman membership details

• Minimum membership: 12 months
• How to sign up: At the cinema or via the Everyman website

Is an Everyman membership worth it?

If an Everyman is your local cinema, or the one you like going to, then you could well save a little with the six tickets for £95, making them £15.83 a ticket, or £7.92 if you go on a Monday with a friend and split the cost.

The next level – ‘Everyicon’ – is a little cheaper, but again use the free tickets just on Mondays and that’s now 48 tickets, working out at a very nice £7.29 each.

The top ‘Everywhere’ could work if you’ve a partner or friend who will share the membership with you. Even then you need to go a lot. See 40 movies each in a year and it’ll work out as £8.50 each for your ticket.

Personally I’d go to a cheaper cinema instead, or get a trial for Times+ which offers 2-4-1 tickets every Wednesday.

Visits a year	Everyman	Everyicon	Everywhere (one person / two people)
52	N/A	N/A	£13.08 / £6.54
40	N/A	N/A	£17 / £8.50
24	N/A	£14.58 (for 24 visits)	£28.33 / £14.77
12	N/A	£29.17	£56.67 / £28.33
6	£15.83	–	–

Curzon membership

What you get

The entry-level “Classic” includes five free tickets, and then discounts for you and a guest.

Next up, the “Cult” membership is seven tickets every week – so essentially free entry to as many films as you want. You can also use these credits to stream online movies from Curzon Home Cinema.

If there are two of you, you can add the “Events and Guest” option which gets you 14 tickets each week and you can use it on “event” screenings – but you’ll pay £50 more each month.

There’s also 10% off food and drink with all three membership levels. Sadly Curzon doesn’t accept Meerkat Movies.

How much is Curzon membership?

• Cost (Classic): £70 a year (all cinemas) / £55 a year (non-London)
• Cost (Cult): £25 a month / £285 a year
• Cost (Cult plus Events and Guest): £75 a month / £850 a year

Curzon membership details

• Minimum membership: 12 months
• Annual discount: None
• How to join: At the cinema or via the Curzon website

Is a Curzon membership worth it?

Go 40 times and the ‘Cult’ membership works out as £7.13 a ticket. That’s more than I’d like to pay, but not bad if you’re in London or only have a Curzon near you. However since Curzon has a more indie/arthouse lean, you might still need to pay elsewhere to see some of the big blockbusters.

Adding ‘Events and Guest’ to the Cult membership is the most expensive out there. Only if two of you go three out of four weeks, or a little less if you throw in regular event screenings, are you going to be making this worthwhile.

The Classic membership will be worth it if you are definitely going to go five times a year to a Curzon, or if the normal ticket prices elsewhere are around £11 outside London and £14 inside London.

Visits per year	Classic (London/Outside London)	Cost per film (Cult)	Cost per film (Cult+ one person)	Cost per film (Cult+ one person)
52	N/A	£5.48	£16.35	£8.17
40	N/A	£7.13	£7.13	£3.56
26	N/A	£10.96	£10.96	£5.48
12	N/A	£23.75	£23.75	£11.88
5	£14 / £11

Picturehouse membership

What you get

From Tuesday 22 September, the Picutrehouse membership scheme is changing – and moving to a rolling monthly cost. This could really work out in your favour – letting you see the summer blockbusters for less and then cancelling if you don’t fancy anything coming up in the next few weeks.

However, it’s not a limitless deal. Instead you get 12 tickets a year (one a month) as well as a discount on food and drink, and free entry to “Discover” films. You also get a £3 discount on any tickets bought outside your free allowance.

You need to sign up for three months before you move to the rolling monthly version that lets you cancel – and you don’t need to use your ticket in the month you get it. You can save them for up to a year.

The price you pay is based on the day of the week you can use your free tickets and the cinemas you can use them in.

How much does Picturehouse membership cost?

• Cost (Picturehouse West End): £15.99 a month or £159.90 a year
  Tickets available at any time and location. Includes access to the Picturehouse Central Members’ Bar.
• Cost (Classic): £9.99 a month or £99.90 a year
  Tickets available at any time, but excludes Picturehouse Central cinemas.
• Cost (Light): £6.99 a month, £69.90 a year
  Tickets only available Monday to Thursday, excluding bank holidays and Picturehouse Central

Picturehouse membership details

• Minimum membership: 3 months, then rolling
• Annual discount: if you buy for a year up front you effectively get two months free
• How to join: At the cinema or via the Picturehouse website

Is a Picturehouse membership worth it?

This is best for the occasional cinema fan, offering 12 tickets from £6.99 each – with a few extra discounts thrown in. But that’s still potentially more expensive than using other tricks at other cinemas. The big bonus is the ability to cancel it after three months, letting you stop and start depending on what’s showing.

In the past you could use your membership free tickets alongside Meerkat Movies – but I can’t find any official confirmation this is allowed, but I can’t see why not. This essentially gives you double the number of free tickets to be used on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Visits per year	Cost per film (Outside London single)	Cost per film (Outside London joint)	Cost per film (London single)	Cost per film (London joint)	Cost per film (West End single)	Cost per film (West End joint)
12	£6.99	n/A	£6.99	N/A	£15.99	N/A

Cineworld Unlimited vs ODEON myLimitless

The two most effective memberships in terms of value for money are the ODEON and Cineworld schemes. If you have both cinemas near you and aren’t sure which one to go for here’s what I’d do.

Ultimately, ODEON’s is cheaper but if you can combine the Cineworld with Meerkat Movies, then the latter is a better option.

If that’s not a deal-breaker for you, I’d look at which has the most screens and which ones tend to show the films you want to see. If it’s just standard blockbusters both should have them on, but if you want smaller films that might not be the case.

Alternative ways to save at the cinema

We’ve written extensively about the different ways you can pay less at the cinema, and you can see these tricks and promotions in our regularly updated cheap cinema tickets guide.