May 16, 2026, 7:00 a.m. ET
Moviegoers, get your popcorn ready – major movie theater chains are bringing back summer deals, including $1 movies and tickets for under $2.
Chains such as Regal Cinemas and Cinemark have announced plans to screen family films for 10 or 11 weeks straight at less than $2 per ticket. Additionally, both chains are offering discounts on kid-friendly snacks, such as the Snack Pack at Regal Cinemas.
Here’s what customers can expect at major movie theater chains this summer.
Spend $1.75 plus tax, see a film at Cinemark
Cinemark is bringing back its Summer Movie Clubhouse program, allowing customers to pay $1.75 plus tax to see select family films.
The program will run from June 1 to Aug. 6. Customers can buy tickets ahead of time beginning on May 13 at Cinemark.com, on the Cinemark app and at participating box offices.
“This program gives families an affordable, easy way to enjoy beloved films together and build the kind of memories that turn today’s young movie fans into lifelong moviegoers,” said Wanda Gierhart Fearing, Cinemark’s chief marketing and content officer, in a statement.
Films will play on Wednesday mornings, and select theaters will also play Summer Movie Clubhouse films on Thursdays.
Cinemark’s 2026 Summer Movie Clubhouse lineup includes:
- “Paddington”
- “Sonic the Hedgehog”
- “KPop Demon Hunters Sing Along”
- “Shrek Forever After”
- “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants”
- “A Minecraft Movie”
- “Dog Man”
- “How to Train Your Dragon” (live action)
- “The Bad Guys 2”
- “Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie”
Cinemark is also offering concessions deals, such as $1 off snack packs and $1 off popcorn-and-drink combos of any size.
$1 movies at Regal Cinemas for 11 weeks
At Regal Cinemas, customers can see select movies for $1 between June 1 and Aug. 13 as part of the chain’s Summer Movie Express (SMX) program. Included films will be rated PG and will play at 11:00 a.m. Monday through Thursday, Regal Cinemas said in a news release emailed to USA TODAY.
“Enjoying time with friends and family at a movie theatre during summer is as much of a warm weather tradition as relaxing together at the swimming pool,” said Brooks LeBoeuf, senior vice president of U.S. content for Regal Cinemas, in a statement. “Every year, moviegoers of all ages gather at Regal theatres to escape the heat at our Summer Movie Express series of family-friendly films.”
Now in its 35th year, a portion of the program proceeds will go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which offers sports, education and workforce readiness initiatives for kids.
Participating Regal Cinemas theaters will air the following movies at 11:00 a.m. local time:
- June 1-4: “Sing” (2016) and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” (2023)
- June 8-11: “Kung Fu Panda 4” (2024) and “David” (2025)
- June 15-18: “KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Along” (2025) and “The Wild Robot” (2024)
- June 22-25: “The Bad Guys 2” (2025) and “The Garfield Movie” (2024)
- June 29-July 2: “A Minecraft Movie” (2025) and “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” (2022)
- July 6-9: “How to Train Your Dragon” (2025) and “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” (2024)
- July 13-16: Film TBA and “Scoob!” (2020)
- July 20-23: “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” (2025) and “Animal Farm” (2026)
- July 27-30: “Paddington in Peru” (2025) and “Dog Man” (2025)
- Aug. 3-6: “Charlie the Wonderdog” (2026) and “Despicable Me 4” (2024)
- Aug. 10-13: “The Sandlot” (1993) and “Muppets: Treasure Island” (1996)
The theater is also offering other perks, such as:
- Two discounted snack items if customers buy SMX tickets.
- $3.00 off a cup of Dippin’ Dots ice cream or a Snack Pack (junior-sized drink, popcorn, and fruit gummies).
Customers can buy tickets in advance at the box office/kiosks, the mobile app, and through REGmovies.com. Regal Unlimited members can also get SMX tickets as part of their monthly subscription.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s trending team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her atsdmartin@usatoday.com.
