MoviePass is launching surge pricing -- but it's not as bad as you think

HOW DARE – oh, okay.
 By 
Proma Khosla
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

MoviePass isn't going down without a fight. The subscription-based movie ticket service is about to face major competition from AMC and will introduce several new measures in July to fight financial ruin.

Among those changes are a bring-a-friend option, IMAX and 3D movies, and surge pricing – like Uber.

MoviePass C.E.O. Mitch Lowe told Business Insider that "high demand" movies will incur an additional $2 fee when purchased through MoviePass (depending on time as well). That's $2 on top of the $9.95 most users are paying per month for unlimited movies in theaters, and less than a box of Sno-Caps.

Lowe said the company wants to "make sure that we can continue to offer a valuable service and support the whole enterprise."

The surge pricing will start in July, and users can expect to see bring-a-friend and IMAX/3D options around August.

AMC's new A-list subscription includes IMAX and 3D movies, which MoviePass does not currently offer but has had in the past where users would simply pay the price difference between a 3D and a regular ticket. That tracks with the upcoming 3D option, which Lowe said would be between $2 and $6 per ticket. Additionally, IMAX/3D movies and the plus-one option will be mutually exclusive, at least to start.

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Proma Khosla

Proma Khosla is a Senior Entertainment Reporter writing about all things TV, from ranking Bridgerton crushes to composer interviews and leading Mashable's stateside coverage of Bollywood and South Asian representation. You might also catch her hosting video explainers or on Mashable's TikTok and Reels, or tweeting silly thoughts from @promawhatup.

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