A new subscription service called MoviePass, which would allow users to watch an unlimited number of films in movie theaters for $50 a month, was announced earlier this week, borrowing heavily from the model used by Netflix. A beta version of the service was set to be tested in 21 San Francisco-area theaters this weekend, but after two major chains refused to play along, the test run was scrapped. Considering a ticket to see Transformers this weekend could set you back $15, the industry was optimistic that MoviePass might woo cost-conscious fans to theaters. But now that MoviePass is already hitting a snag, will we ever get a subscription service for unlimited visits to the cineplex?
There's still a market for MoviePass: "It's like Netflix, but for the real, real life," says Casey Chan at Gizmodo. MoviePass was wise to offer a "lite" version of the service, too, as many people don't have time to go to the movies often enough to make the $50 price tag worthwhile. But their alternative four-movies-for-$30 package is perfect for fans who are not "psycho about watching movies." Now if only the theaters would play along...
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