Failed Unlimited Movie Ticket Service MoviePass Relaunching in September

[MacRumors]

Subscription movie ticket service MoviePass first launched in 2017, offering subscribers unrestricted movie access for $9.99 per month. MoviePass was providing customers with debit cards and paying full price for each movie ticket despite the low monthly fee, and the effort ultimately failed catastrophically within a matter of months.

MoviePass had been counting on deals with movie theaters and revenue from customer data, but by mid-2018, MoviePass was out of money and had to resort to limiting movie access, raising prices, and temporarily shutting down. After months of questionable policy changes, MoviePass shut down in September 2019, but now the service is set to return.

MoviePass is planning to launch a new beta service "on or around" September 5, 2022. A waitlist for the beta service is set to open on August 25 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, and customers can join the waitlist at that point.

According to an FAQ section on the MoviePass website, the upcoming service will feature three pricing tiers at $10, $20, and $30. Each level will get a certain amount of credits to be able to be used toward movies each month, with MoviePass promising more details in the future.

The launch will happen in waves, and MoviePass says the launch determination will be weighted on level of engagement from the waitlist in each market.

Prior MoviePass subscribers will receive complimentary bonus credits to their accounts when they join the new service.

It is not clear how MoviePass will survive this time around nor what the service will be able to offer that's not already available from other theaters. Companies like Alamo Drafthouse, Cinemark, Showcase, Showplace ICON, Regal, and AMC all offer subscription-based movie passes.

Article Link: Failed Unlimited Movie Ticket Service MoviePass Relaunching in September

 

[MrENGLISH]

Thanks, but no thanks. I'll pass.

 

[ponzicoinbro]

Thanks, but no thanks. I'll pass.

The name was always a problem.

It’s like my school friend.

His last name was Bido. His first name was Lee.

I think his parents thought it would help.

 

[BootsWalking]

I've see this movie before - you're not going to like the ending.

 

[PlasmStudios]

Hard to trust a company with questionable practices all over again.

 

[Black Magic]

I've see this movie before - you're not going to like the ending.

Agreed! A friend hopped on it back in the day and was singing it praises. He kept telling me I was missing out and should join immediately, but I held my ground. Months later, he was trying to cancel the service and they wouldn't let him cancel. I just shook my head. No way I will ever do business with a company like that.

 

[EnderTW]

who goes to the theaters anymore?

 

[eqquito]

Well-earned reputation, I wouldn't even touch it with a fishing pole.

 

[diggy33]

I absolutely loved paying for a same day release and watching the movie at home; I thought that was certainly going to be something that would stick. I guess I'm in the minority and would rather watch movies from the comforts of home than sit in a theater. MoviePass? No thanks

 

[orbital~debris]

Feels like this is the 65th time this service has relaunched 🙄

 

[thirstydirt]

Following in Steve Jobs' footprints, the original founder got kicked out of his own company. The new owners tainted the brand with their "questionable policy changes." He was able to buy back the company after it went bankrupt. Hopefully he can turn it around into something cool again. I think there is still a place for movie theaters. I prefer seeing some new movies in the theater.

 

[TimmKook]

 

[nlkccom]

With all the streaming services and movie theaters having their own subscription service, I don't see the point of this. This will not end well once again.

 

[cocky jeremy]

Cool. We get to watch it die twice!

 

[Michael Scrip]

Do they have a better business plan besides "Buy tickets for $20 and sell them for $10" this time?

The math never checked out. They were buying tickets at full price and selling them for less than they paid. Thus they were losing $40,000,000 every month.

I can kinda see what they were trying to do with selling data. But it didn't work then.

And with the state of the theater industry today... I can't see it working now either.

Plus most of the big theater chains are now doing their own subscription services. It's definitely a different world today.

I don't blame the investors who poured money into MoviePass the first time.

But you'd have to be an idiot to invest in them now.

🤣

 

[cocky jeremy]

who goes to the theaters anymore?

I haven't gone to one since 2010'ish. I'd rather watch at home. Way more comfy, and better food.

 

[Ken Linger]

MoviePass 2: This time, it's personal

 

[rictus007]

who goes to the theaters anymore?

It’s amazing but there’s still people that enjoy theaters and makes sense, we are all different. For me it is a cost issue, +$100 for a movie night … so we prefer to spend the same amount of money doing something else.

 

[ponzicoinbro]

who goes to the theaters anymore?

Not a good idea to date someone new in your living room.

Not a good idea when friends and fam say let’s go out and you say yeah come sit in front of my TV.

 

[Miles Teg]

I must have saw 40 movies in one year when I had MoviePass. My sister saw 60. That being said I think I will pass on the new MoviePass. I can't see it ever being as good for me at least as it once was.

 

[MdRuckus]

Agreed! A friend hopped on it back in the day and was singing it praises. He kept telling me I was missing out and should join immediately, but I held my ground. Months later, he was trying to cancel the service and they wouldn't let him cancel. I just shook my head. No way I will ever do business with a company like that.

I used it when it was out. I loved it. I saw probably 10 movies over three months when I usually only see a couple a year. I only spent like $24 total for 10 movies. It was well worth it. Now, anyone could tell you that particular model was doomed from a company perspective. However, there was literally no drawback as a customer. It was a breeze to cancel as well.

 

[Lord Hamsa]

I'm using AMC's "A-List" program that launched after MoviePass cratered. I have no desire to ditch a program I'm happy with to give these proven losers another chance.

 

[anson42]

who goes to the theaters anymore?

I do but I don't need freakin' MoviePass to do that. This definitely won't end well.

 

[surfzen21]

Their problem was they took a great business plan for a money laundering operation and forgot to make the important connection to the unsavory types who needed money laundered.

Hopefully this time they worked out that back end first.

 

[SFjohn]

who goes to the theaters anymore?

We go to our local Dolby Theater when there’s something new we want to see. With Dolby Vision, Atmos, and seat rumblers it can be breathtaking. There’s just 2 of us, so $50 all in… and it’s only a few times each year.