This type of data is wildly valuable. Right now, the theaters and studios don't collect much empirical data about who attends what types of movies. They're mostly just focus groups and small samples that get extrapolated to the general population. Those pre-trailer advertisers, creative groups, studio heads, etc. will pay out their ass to know exactly what demographic and socioeconomic groups attend certain films
Meh, it's not as valuable as you'd think for a field like this. They already know who they're targeting in many cases. I mean any data is valuable, but this isn't google or FB selling your search history. I just don't see how they can scale fast enough while also remaining solvent to get to that point. Data isn't valuable if it's too small, but at this point they probably lose money with every new customer. Scale too fast and the money ends, too slow and you're belly up before you're profitable. Kudos to the guy if he pulls it off, I just don't see it. The target he's shooting for is just so narrow.
there's really no startup venture aiming for this kind of scale that doesn't just eat equity for 5 years or more Uber and Amazon were still doing it until just a year ago, for example. It doesn't need to be "profitable" in the traditional sense to accumulate the data and make it valuable Obviously it's no guarantee there will be a huge market for it, as you suggest. I think there is, though
Yea I know this sort of revenue model is par for the course for a lot of startups, but with the successful ones, the benefits are pretty obvious right from the beginning. Amazon, Uber, Facebook were all easy to believe early on, they just needed the capital and scale to get there. i think this guy will struggle to get buy-in with his vision. I really am pulling for him though, I'd be a customer for sure. He may be better served to pair this with another service. Maybe as an add-on with something like Sling? Cut cable, keep all the channels you want for half the cost and also see a movie every day.
I'd go see many more movies with this. Hell if I owned a small theatre, I'd buy several passes to swipe daily.
It definitely works. What movie theater is your go to? I've used it at AMC, Regal and Georgia Theater Company.
Ok...little concerned. Went to a Malco theatre that was in the app. Tried to buy my ticket and they simply refused to run my card saying they don't take MoviePass. Which is bullshit, because it's a debit card and Malco has always accepted it. I think I just ran into a cunt and I didn't feel like arguing. Went to an independent theatre nearby and it worked perfectly. Got my 9:20 ticket to The Dark Tower. 100% positive if that bitch at the Malco theatre would have run the card it would have worked perfectly.
If the theater showed up in your app then they accept it and she was definitely being a cunt. If they have a kiosk you can buy tickets from then that's your best bet.
If that theater accepts MasterCard then they have to take your MoviePass. I've read about cunts like that at other theaters.
Haven't received ours yet. This stupid thing is going to save me so much money (until they stop it, of course).
Yeah, just knowing that something like this exists makes me think that movie theatres may be not be a thing anymore in say twenty years time. At least CGI dependent, terribly written sequels in the Transformers mold will probably die with them.
No. The card is how you pay for your ticket. Here is how it works: You get the MoviePass MasterCard debit card. You go to the theater where you want to see the movie. Once you're at the theater, you open the app, find your theater, movie, and showtime. Select what you want to see and the app will give you a confirmation. Go to the box office and ask for a ticket to the movie/time you selected just like you would normally When they ask for payment, pay with your MoviePass debit card. Get your ticket and watch the movie. Buying e-tickets is a different story that I don't know how it works.
I sent Malco an email complaint about what happened last night and got this response: Spoiler Dear Drew, Please accept our apologies for the incorrect information you received from one of our employees regarding use of your MoviePass debit card. All of our theatre box-offices had already been instructed to accept this credit card payment. [Under MoviePass’ requirements including the specific movie title, date and time selected, with a one movie per day limit.] We are uncertain why the staff person who waited on you didn’t know this or, at least, why he/she didn’t call management for information and assistance. We would like to reassure you that we have againnotified our theatres that we accept MoviePass cards. Additionally, if you will return your mailing address, we would like to send you a couple of our GOOD ANYTIME passes so that your next couple of visits can be as our guest. We greatly appreciate your patronage and we look forward to hearing from you again soon so we can get your passes on their way. Best Regards, Alan Denton Vice President Corporate Communications
Did you have to do anything to activate your card? I haven't received my card yet but the card # shows up in my app now.
I think just selecting your first movie is what activates it. I had to enter the last 4 digits of my card when I got to the theater.
Do you have to open the app at the theater or could you do it from home then go to the theater? Can I sign up for like a month or two then cancel? I wouldn't get much mileage out of this for September-early May other than around Christmas Break time. I could see myself using the shit out of this from mid-May through August though. But I don't want to pay for it from September-April if I'll use it less than once a month.
You have to be within 100yds of the theater and open the app from what I can tell. One weird thing is it says you can buy e-tickets, but it doesn't show up as an option at any of the theaters where I know it is an option/capable.
^^^same. You can look up your theater times anywhere but you can't "save" a seat unless you're within 100 yards.
Same as if you were to buy a ticket for any show? If it's sold out it will tell you. If it's not you're already at the theater to buy your tickets.
Technically, no, but if you don't mind paying a couple dollar difference then you can. I've used it many times to go to a matinee 3D and end up paying 10 cents.
it won't stop. AMC and others are mad because they wanted to release theirs, so it's here to stay regardless. Whether it's the movie pass or some other version of the "pass"
I used to GPS spoof my app to the theater and lock in the movie then walk over and buy the ticket. Super easy. Very ready to have my pass working again.
I had movie pass for a year paying $40 a month. I just cancelled my subscription because there wasn't going to be much to see this fall, but I'm signed back up now for $10. The thing is, you don't have to select the movie you intend to see. For example if you want to see a 3D movie you can just select a 2D movie you don't intend to see (since you can only see a particular movie once with the app). Say you want to see Thor Ragnarok in a few months but you want to see it in 3D. Just select some minor 2D film you don't care about and they'll put the price on your card. You just tell the clerk that you have a card that only has $10 on it and that you'll pay the difference with cash. So you can see a 3D movie for maybe 3 or 4 bucks. I don't see 3D movies anyway, but I do like to see certain films on the biggest theater and that usually means having to see it in 3D.
The complications of moviepass remind me of the old Happy Fun Ball SNL skit..." Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball".
Haha you fucking idiots. Why go to the movies when you can watch it on your friends Netflix next year?
I'd never watch a 3d movie anyway. And I'll pay extra/bonus for an imax movie. Finally ordered my card tonight
The independent theater I went to had the smallest side theatre I'd ever seen. I was in a 78 seat theatre with only 9 rows. Felt like I was a celebrity's screening room.
I've been to the movies twice in the past ten years...The Dark Knight and Cars 3. Cars 3 was for my son, Dark Knight was because Walgreens had a deal years ago where is you bought two Axe products you got a voucher for a free movie ticket....bought two $1 trial size Axe soaps and hit that theater smelling mediocre. Unless GOT does it's finally in a theater I can't comprehend the time, money, and effort that goes into the theater.
You've missed a lot of fun, good movies in the theaters over the years. But if you don't go to the movies at all, I'd agree, this isn't for you.
Not knocking the people that do it cuz I see the thrill of it, but it'd rather white trash bootleg or Netflix my media and use that money to do outdoor events. It's personal preference for sure.
The effort? Is it really that hard to get in a car, buy a ticket, then go sit down? Perhaps buy extremely overpriced drinks and snacks? Though I refuse to pay the prices the theaters charge for that stuff unless I'm starving or very dehydrated. I rarely go to the movies because the cost of just one ticket is equal to or higher than the cost of one month of Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime. Just doesn't seem like an efficient allocation of my money, especially when I'll be able to rent it for a few bucks a few months or so later in HD from home or see it at no extra cost on a streaming service I am already subscribed to. But this is a game changer. I would be paying for the cost of one movie a month while every other movie I see after that is essentially free. Still won't use it much because I work a shit ton for 8-9 months a year, but I could see myself using it a lot during the non-busy months.
My best friend is PISSED. He told me all about MoviePass, did all the research, and signed up a day before I did. He still hasn't received his card yet...meanwhile I have not only received my card but also my 2 free Malco passes for the fuckup the first night I used it.
Just signed up with no issues. Not even sure what movies are in the theater right now so I'm in no rush to get my card.