Movie Theaters in North Charleston SC

Summer heat and afternoon thunderstorms can make air-conditioned movie theaters seem pretty appealing during the hot months in the Lowcountry, but have you seen what tickets cost?

The good news is that there are plenty of easy ways to go to the movies for less, and that can add up to big savings for a family with kids.

If you are a AAA member, you can save as much as $3 per ticket by purchasing discounted movie tickets through the auto club. For example, discounted tickets for Regal theaters are $7.50, or $8.50 for new releases, compared to the $10.50 adult rate in Mount Pleasant.

If your family goes to lots of movies, those savings can add up, but that depends on where you like to go. Regal theater in North Charleston charges $3 less per ticket than the one in Mount Pleasant, so the AAA discount doesn't help there.

If you have a Visa Signature credit card, there's a get-one-free movie ticket deal (with purchase) through online movie ticket seller Fandango, good on Fridays through Aug. 8, and a 20-percent-off deal on Fandango gift cards through Sept. 30. Visit

One way to get free movie tickets this summer is through a Kellogg's promotion. Collect codes from six specially marked cereal or Pop-Tarts boxes, enter them on the promotion website, and get a free movie ticket.

The last time this promotion was around, my family got six free tickets - we eat a lot of cereal. And with grocery stores selling cereal for as little as $2 a box on sale, that means you could spend $12 and get six boxes of cereal and a movie ticket worth up to $12.

Of course, most theaters offer discounted adult tickets for daytime matinees, and discounts for seniors and those in the military. Also look for special-price days, such as Tuesdays at Cinebarre in Mount Pleasant, when all tickets are $6 (with surcharges for 3-D shows).

At many theaters, an "adult" is anyone over the age of 10.

The best deal for young children, who are less picky about seeing first-run films, is the very cheap or free movies offered at many theaters during summer vacation.

The Terrace Theatre on James Island offers free movies for kids under 10 every Wednesday at 11 a.m. For those 10 and older, tickets for those shows are $4. (The Post and Courier and Lowcountry Parent are sponsors).

Most films are older classics such as "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" (July 9) and "E.T." (July 16). Visit terracetheater.com for listings or call 762-9494.