We all love going to the movies. But sometimes, watching a movie at the cinema can be an expensive affair.
But what if we told you it didn’t have to be that way, and that with a bit of planning, and by taking advantage of GSC’s various value promotions, you can actually save some money while enjoying your favourite summer blockbusters or romantic comedies on the big screen.
Before we proceed, there are a few things you should know that can help you get the best deal. GSC’s ticket prices are based on three main conditions – the type of movie, the location of the cinema and the time of the movie.
There are two categories of movies – Blockbuster and General. The bigger movies, like Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice would fall under the Blockbuster category, while other titles go under General. For movies with 3D, just add RM5.50.
Next, the time and day you watch a movie can also impact the prices. Prices are higher on weekends and public holidays, and even on weekdays, the prices can differ – shows before 6pm are cheaper compared to those after 6pm. For example, a weekday show before 6pm at GSC Mid Valley in KL costs RM13 compared to RM14.50 (RM15 on Fridays) for shows after 6pm, and RM16 on weekends and public holidays.
Last but not least, GSC’s ticket prices also differ according to the location of the cinema. The more popular locations like GSC Mid Valley and GSC Pavilion KL have the highest prices, while the ones with lower prices include GSC Summit USJ, Cheras Leisure Mall, and Tropicana City Mall in the Klang Valley.
With a little flexibility and smart planning, going to the cinema doesn’t have to be an expensive affair. Photos: The Star/Raja Faisal Hishan
If you live in Subang, Selangor, you’re in luck. GSC Summit USJ offers the lowest ticket prices amongst all the cinemas in the Klang Valley. For example, a weekend Blockbuster 2D ticket costs RM12.50 at GSC Summit USJ, but would cost RM17 at GSC Mid Valley.
Oh, and outside of Klang Valley, the tickets tend to be slightly cheaper, especially in the GSC Lite cinemas in areas like GSC Star Mall Mentakab in Pahang and GSC Terminal One in Negri Sembilan.
With us so far? Well, let’s get started, shall we? Here are six ways you can watch a movie, each at the lowest price possible.
1) No frills: the cheapest of the cheapest
So, let’s say you live in the Klang Valley, want to watch a movie on your own, and don’t really care what, where, when, or whether there is 3D, Dolby Atmos, or any other frills. In that case, the best option would be a 2D movie, at the cheapest location in the Klang Valley, and at the cheapest possible time slot (weekdays, before 6pm).
The cheapest option: A General 2D movie before 6pm on a weekday at Summit USJ.
Total cost: RM8.50
Even better value?: RM7.50 (Wednesday shows/senior citizens/students)/ RM6.50 (children below 12)
2) Better together
If you want a nice romantic date but don’t really feel like spending that much money on luxury, there are limited twin seats available in selected GSC cinemas where you can snuggle up to one another without those pesky armrests getting in the way (no hanky-panky, OK?).
There are several GSC locations that offer twin seats, but the cheapest we’ve seen is at Summit USJ (again), which costs RM11.50 per person (RM23 per couple). On Wednesday, it gets even better, with tickets going for RM10.50 each, or RM21 per couple. Now that’s value for money.
If you want more comfort, however, we suggest the GSC Premiere Class, which is available at GSC Signature, The Gardens and GSC Berjaya Times Square in the Klang Valley, and GSC Gurney Plaza in Penang.
All the seats in the Premiere Class halls are twin seats by default (the armrest is movable), and the lowest ones available are at Berjaya Times Square, costing RM14.50 per person (RM29 per couple).
The cheapest option: Twin seats for a General 2D movie before 6pm on a weekday at Summit USJ, or two Premiere Class tickets for a General 2D movie before 6pm on a weekday at GSC Berjaya Times Square.
Total cost: RM23 per couple for twin seats (Summit USJ), or RM29 per couple for Premiere Class (Berjaya Times Square).
Even better value?: RM21 per couple for twin seats, or RM28 per couple for Premiere Class under the Wednesday shows/senior citizens/students promotion.
3) The ultimate movie experience
Some movies are meant to be watched in the best possible location with the best sound, picture quality, and effects you can get. Can you imagine watching a blockbuster like Star Wars: The Force Awakens or Captain America: Civil War on a small screen with bad sound quality? We can’t either.
GSC offers three features that can help enhance the movie-going experience – Dolby Atmos (an immersive surround sound system), D-BOX (An immersive motion-based technology that allows the moviegoer to feel the action happening on screen), and GSC Maxx (the largest 2D & 3D digital halls in Malaysia). If you want the best movie experience GSC can offer, then the ultimate choice would be to combine all three, and throw in 3D as well.
Most of the major GSC outlets have Dolby Atmos and D-BOX, but only three outlets have the Maxx feature – IOI City Mall in Putrajaya, Ipoh Parade Mall in Perak and Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur, and only the first two have halls that can combine all three Maxx, Dolby Atmos, and D-BOX for the ultimate movie experience. And of these two, the cheaper option is at GSC IOI City Mall.
The cheapest option: A Blockbuster movie on a Maxx screen with Dolby Atmos (RM20.50, RM17.50 in Ipoh) and D-BOX (+ RM16), in 3D (+ RM5.50) before 6pm on a weekday (except Wednesday) at GSC IOI City Mall, Putrajaya.
Total cost: RM42 (IOI City Mall), RM39 (GSC Ipoh Parade)
Even better value?: RM34 (Wednesday shows/senior citizens/students)/ RM33 (children below 12)
4) The luxury option
Yes, we know that this is supposed to be a story about the cheapest ways to watch a movie. But let’s say you just set up a dream date and want to go all out to impress. Or you just want to indulge yourself after a long day at work. If that is the case, then GSC’s Gold Class experience is the one for you.
Here, you get GSC’s full five-star treatment – a spacious, luxurious auditorium with attached lounge and toilets, wide and comfortable reclining seats, a blanket to snuggle under, and a table for every two seats with a service call button so you can call for extra popcorn or drinks midway through your movie without having to leave your seat.
Available at GSC Signature The Gardens, GSC Pavilion KL and GSC 1Utama (PJ), the cheapest Gold Class option would be the one in 1Utama, which costs RM58 for a General 2D film, not including food and drinks, compared to RM74 at Signature. Fine, it’s not exactly “cheap”, but hey, you wanted to go all out, right?
The cheapest option: A General 2D show at Gold Class at GSC 1Utama.
Total cost: RM58
Even better value?: Sorry, all the usual promotions and discounts are not applicable for Gold Class.
5) The credit card user
If you happen to have certain credit cards, you can get an even better deal than the one we’ve listed above. GSC has partnered with several credit cards to offer special deals for their holders, including a GSC-Hong Leong bank card – the first credit card that gives you up to 50% discount on movie tickets, concession purchases, and F&B outlets in GSC.
Do note that these deals cannot be used together with existing GSC promotions, i.e. Wednesdays, students, children, senior citizens, etc. Go to www.gsc.com.my for more details about other credit card promotions.
6) The popcorn muncher
Most of the above scenarios were based on ticket price alone, and no concessions. But what if you really, really want popcorn and soda with your movie? Well, there’s always the GSC E-Combo package, which can get you your tickets, popcorn, and drinks in one affordable package. It is available via the GSC mobile app and GSC website.
