MoviePass is often described as unsustainable, but that hasn't stopped multiple companies from taking on the subscription service. Its newest rival is one of its biggest critics: AMC Theatres. The company announced its own AMC Stubs A-List subscription service.
It won't be exactly like MoviePass, but it will use the subscription model to get more people in theaters.
AMC Stubs A-List
The main difference between the two services will be the price. While MoviePass offers users the ability to watch one movie per day for $9.99, AMC Stubs A-List will let users watch three movies per week for $19.95. Another key difference is that the service, unlike MoviePass, will let users watch movies in premium formats such as IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and RealD.
Users who sign up for AMC's service will also be allowed the benefits of AMC Stubs Premiere. This includes free upgrades on popcorn and soda, free refills on large popcorn, express service at the box office and concession stand, and no online ticket fees.
AMC will also allow users to watch multiple movies a day and see movies more than once. In April, MoviePass implemented new terms of service that only allowed users to watch a film once, to the dismay of many customers who recently purchased the service. All three movies for the week can be watched on the same day but have to be seen two hours apart to prevent the user from purchasing multiple tickets to the same movie at the same time.
To further prevent people from gaming the system, those with AMC Stubs A-List will have to use their subscription card with an ID, and tickets will have user's names printed on them.
People will, however, be allowed to purchase tickets online the same day. AMC Stubs A-List will also allow users to begin to use the service without waiting for their subscription card to arrive in the mail.
One of the downsides of purchasing AMC Stubs A-List is that the service can only be used in AMC theaters. MoviePass, on the other hand, lets users choose from a variety of theaters. Another downside is the price point, it costs twice as much as MoviePass. Users who are already shelling out $9.99 per month may see $19.95 per month as too expensive.
One of the upsides from the AMC service is that it is being supported by the largest theater chain in the United States. MoviePass is said to be facing financial troubles that could cause the service to cease to exist in the future.
There have been other services such as Sinemia that have sought to compete with MoviePass in the past.
AMC Stubs A-List will go live on June 26.
