Is The AMC Stubs A-List Subscription Really Worth The Price?

Love watching movies on the big screen? Wouldn't it be great if there was a way to see all of the movies you want without having to come up with a chunk of cash every time you want to go to a theater? If AMC operates in the area where you live, there's a way for you to do just that. No, AMC doesn't give away unlimited movie access for free. However, its Stubs A-List subscription service just may be the next best thing. A-List membership can prove a value for people who frequently watch movies on the big screen and those who would go to theaters more often if it didn't cost so much to get in.

AMC Stubs A-List provides its members with the ability to go to a lot of movies (up to three per week) for a monthly fee that costs around the same amount you'd have to pay to go to two or three movies per month. Not only that, A-List members can book movie tickets online without having to pay an online ticketing fee. And, if you enjoy snacking on popcorn and soda while watching the movie, you can upgrade your order to the next size up without paying an additional fee. 

Sounds like a great deal, right? But the answer ultimately depends on you and your movie-going habits. Keep in mind that A-List is a monthly membership. Once you join, your subscription will be billed via autopay every month, whether you go to any movies or not.

Before you can decide whether or not an AMC Stubs A-List membership is worth the price for you, it's important to consider whether it'll actually help with your entertainment expenses. The monthly fee ranges from $19.95 to $24.95 plus tax (where applicable), varying based on what state you live in and whether you plan to use your membership in multiple states (which could be likely if you travel frequently and want to avoid money mistakes, or live close to the border of multiple states). A-List options include:

• $19.95/month: Plan includes up to three movies per week in most states, excluding California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington State, and the District of Columbia
• $22.95 monthly fee: Plan includes up to three movies per week in all U.S. states but California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C.
• $24.95 monthly fee: Plan includes up to three movies a week in all states and Washington D.C.

According to The Cinema Foundation, the average price of a movie ticket in the United States is $10.53 as of 2023. This calculation combines all locations, showtimes (i.e., matinees, bargain days, weekday evenings, and weekend evenings), and screen types (e.g., regular, 3D, IMAX, etc.), so some showings will cost a bit less than this, while others will cost quite a lot more. With the price of movie admission as high as it is, though, it's easy to see how an AMC Stubs A-List subscription can make it much more affordable to go to the movies frequently than purchasing individual tickets at the box office several times per month.

Just because AMC Stubs A-List is a good deal for some people doesn't mean it's a good deal for everyone. Whether an A-List subscription is worth the price to you depends on how often you go to the movies and if you're fine with always going to an AMC facility rather than another theater. Be sure to consider if there are enough AMC theaters within driving distance of your home or other places where you spend a lot of time, as you'll be much more likely to get your money's worth from an A-List subscription if it's convenient for you to use it. Assuming brand loyalty to AMC makes sense for you, consider:

• If you go to the movies once per month or less, you'll pay more for AMC Stubs A-List than you'd spend on movie admission.
• If you regularly go to the movies two or three times per month, you'll either break even or come out ahead.
• If you go to four or more movies per month or would do so if you had pre-paid access, you'll come out ahead on the price of admission.

Don't forget to consider the cost of theater concessions when making your decision as well. If you become a subscriber and start going to the movies more frequently and can't resist the temptation of pricey treats sold at the theater, you might find that the money you're spending on concessions is undercutting what you're saving on the price of admission from your Stubs A-List subscription.