How to get £3 cinema tickets for National Cinema Day
How the deal works, when the promotion’s available, and small print to watch out for

If you’re looking for cheap cinema tickets, don’t miss out on National Cinema Day, which takes place on 3 September 2022. Hundreds of cinemas across the UK ‒ including the likes of Odeon, Cineworld and Vue ‒ offering tickets from just £3 each.
Organised by the industry body Cinema First, participating cinemas will play classic films as well as current releases for a fixed price, so there’s a wide mix of films on offer for everyone. These include Idris Elba’s big-cat thriller Beast, Steven Spielberg’s 1982 family classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and box-office hit Minions: The Rise of Gru.
Here’s everything you need to know about the promotion - and if there’s any sneaky small print.
Which cinemas are taking part in National Cinema Day
Big chains like Odeon, Cineworld, Vue, Picturehouse, Empire, and Showcase are all participating, as well as a range of independent cinemas.
You can find a full list of participating cinemas on the National Cinema Day website. Enter your location to find out if your local cinema is taking part.
As well as regular screenings, many cinemas will also have accessible screenings available for the same ticket price, such as autism-friendly screenings, subtitled films and audio-description.
When is the £3 cinema ticket promotion available?
Saturday 3 September will mark the launch of the first National Cinema Day, where, for one day only, participating cinemas across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will offer fixed-price tickets for any screening.
You can either buy tickets in advance or on the day. There is no need to sign up to any promotion or use an online code, the discount will be applied to everyone’s tickets for showings that take place on 3 September.
How much do tickets cost?
Most tickets for movies on National Cinema Day cost just £3. Some tickets may cost more, for example for luxury seats or premium screenings.
Watch out for booking fees, as cinemas will be able to charge those on top for online and telephone bookings.
For example, Odeon charges a 95p booking fee, making the cost of a ticket on National Cinema Day £3.95.
Picturehouse says all its films will be £3 on Saturday 3 September - but there is a 70p fee on top for online bookings.
Vue charges a 90p booking fee.
Some cinemas are offering discounted experiences with dinner and snacks as part of National Cinema Day. Customers can enjoy discounted ViP admission for £24 at Cineworld Cheltenham, Cineworld Glasgow Renfrew Street, Cineworld Sheffield and Cineworld Greenwich 02.
The experience includes complimentary dining and access to an exclusive lounge 45 minutes before the start of the film, unlimited snacks and drinks, and luxury seats.
Is there a limit on how many tickets I can buy?
There's no limit on tickets so you can watch a number of films at your local cinema if you like, or visit several different cinemas.
Which films are showing?
There’s a wide range of films being screened as part of National Cinema Day, from new releases to classics. It of course depends on the particular cinema, but films showing may include Drive, DC League of Super-Pets, Nope, Elvis, Fisherman's Friends: One and All, Thor: Love and Thunder, Minions: The Rise of Gru, Bullet Train and Top Gun: Maverick.
How does National Cinema Day work if I’m a cinema member?
If you have a membership to a cinema and already get free tickets, you may be wondering if National Cinema Day offers you anything extra.
Odeon myLIMITLESS members will be pleased to hear that the cinema chain is dropping the usual charge for premium screenings and allowing members to watch Imax, Dolby and iSense movies for no extra charge on 3 September.
Check with your cinema to see if it is offering members any extra discounts on freebies.
Ruth Emery is contributing editor at The Money Edit. Ruth is passionate about helping people feel more confident about their finances. She was previously editor of Times Money Mentor, and prior to that was deputy Money editor at The Sunday Times. A multi-award winning journalist, Ruth started her career on a pensions magazine at the FT Group, and has also worked at Money Observer and Money Advice Service. Outside of work, she is a mum to two young children, a magistrate and an NHS volunteer.
-
-
Octopus Energy relaunches energy tracker deal – we explain what you need to know and if it could save you money
If you’re an Octopus Energy customer, you may be able to save on your energy bills with the relaunch of its tracker deal. We look at how it works
By Sue Hayward • Published
-
Three energy firms pay £8m in switching compensation - has your provider paid out?
More than 100,000 customers have received compensation after changing providers, but is now a good time to switch energy suppliers?
By Tom Higgins • Published
-
Save on petrol: how to save 5p off a litre of fuel at Morrisons
Petrol prices may have been falling since last summer but every penny counts at the pump. Here’s how to save 5p a litre at Morrisons for a limited time
By Sue Hayward • Published
-
Morrisons relaunches discount scheme with cheaper prices for loyal shoppers
Morrisons is the latest supermarket to revamp prices and offers for its loyalty scheme members
By John Fitzsimons • Published
-
Coronation freebies and discounts: what’s up for grabs
From free railcards and holiday giveaways to discounts off food, we highlight the special offers launched to mark the coronation of King Charles III
By Ruth Emery • Last updated
-
8 ways to get interest-free money if you’re struggling
Here are 8 clever ways to get interest-free income if you’re struggling with the rising cost of living
By Vaishali Varu • Last updated
-
Best birthday freebies and discounts
Enjoy your special day with these birthday discounts and freebies - we highlight 22 of the best offers
By Vaishali Varu • Published
-
Festival ticket scam warnings – how to protect yourself
Concert ticket scams have rocketed by more than 500% over the past year, while festival fraud has more than doubled. Here’s how to keep yourself safe ahead of the festival season.
By Tom Higgins • Published
-
Co-op Member Prices: Supermarket unveils discount scheme for loyal shoppers
New Co-op scheme means reduced prices for shoppers who join the co-operative. How much does it cost to join, and how does it compare to similar schemes run by Sainsbury’s and Tesco?
By John Fitzsimons • Published
-
Emergency alert test: what to expect and how to avoid being scammed
We tell you everything you need to know about the UK’s first emergency alert test, which takes place this Sunday
By Vaishali Varu • Published