For the second time in a year, AMC is upping the price of its Stubs A-List membership — leaving members wondering if heartbreak still feels good in a place like this.
Starting July 15, the chain’s iconic movie subscription membership will cost $29.99 each month, which is a $2 increase from the last price hike in May 2025.
Last year’s price hike came as the subscription increased the number of movies you can see per week from three to four. However, this time around, the perks are staying the same: A-Listers can see up to four movies each week in every format, get free upgrades on movie snacks and earn rewards for every $50 spent.
AMC CEO Adam Aron explained in an email to subscribers Wednesday that the price increase is due to rising costs of keeping theaters open.
“We have not advised you of a price increase in A-List for more than a year, while our costs of operating our theatres are rising,” Aron said. “So, the price of your AMC Stubs A-List monthly membership fee will be going up modestly.”
He noted: “We are biased, but we think it is the best bargain offered anywhere in the world of entertainment.”
Movie lovers are not so sure.
AMC’s Stubs A-List program was launched near the end of MoviePass’s fall from glory in 2018, and became a hit as it charged customers just $19.95 per month to see up to three movies a week — meaning it typically paid for itself with just one visit per month.
Since then, rival cinema subscriptions have cropped up and given theatergoers — especially those in New York City or Los Angeles — more options to save on their trips to the theaters.
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Regal Cinemas offers Regal Unlimited, which is priced starting at $25.99 per month, with the highest tier costing $29.99 monthly. Alamo Drafthouse’s Season Pass allows subscribers to see a movie per day from $14.99 to $39.99 depending on location. Cinemark Movie Club costs up to $11.99 per month for one 2D ticket, no online fees and a discount on concessions. MoviePass even reemerged in 2023 with a credits-based system starting at $10 a month.
As July’s price raise approaches, some frustrated AMC customers are now concerned about the program’s future and thinking about jumping off the A-List ship.
“This will probably make me cancel my A List,” one Reddit user wrote in a thread dedicated to New York City movie theaters. “$2 isn’t the thing, it’s the fact that they just went up a year ago. And what now, an annual increase saying it’s only $2? In 2027 is it gonna be $32? Then $34 the next year?”
One person added, “Between the increase and the lackluster movie slate recently I’m feeling more and more likely I’m going to dip.”
“Regal Unlimited is looking more tempting everyday,” someone said on X, while another wrote, “Alamo is 20 and you can see a movie a day…. Guess where I’m taking my business.”
Other subscribers complained about Aron’s email, which included several paragraphs about the company’s business before mentioning the new price increase, with one calling it “a long-winded email that took four or five paragraphs to tout all the benefits and movies coming out this summer before mentioning the price update.”
Another agreed: “Horrible PR. Almost just cancelled for the fact they tried to bury the price increase. Still debating if it’s worth the $30 a month.”
AMC representatives did not immediately return The Independent’s request for comment.
Aron’s email seemed to preempt the backlash by reminding customers that if they are unhappy with the service, they can cancel their subscription at any time on the AMC app.
“Even with this necessary price adjustment, A-List continues to offer you exceptional value, often costing only the price of seeing about one to two movies per month, especially when you enjoy premium formats or reserve tickets online,” the email said.
“It really is now — and will continue to be — a terrific bargain.”
