AMC Stubs A-List subscriptions launch to challenge MoviePass

By Eric Abent/June 20, 2018 12:05 pm EST

It isn't exactly a secret that AMC isn't very fond of what MoviePass has been trying to do since launching its $9.95 subscription service last month. The feud between the two companies has even caused MoviePass to leave some AMC theaters unsupported, but today, AMC is biting back by launching a subscription service of its own. Dubbed AMC Stubs A-List, this new subscription service expands on the company's existing loyalty program, taking the fight to MoviePass directly.

AMC Stubs A-List will run subscribers $19.95, which hardly makes it seem like a viable competitor to MoviePass considering that it's double the monthly cost. However, AMC is hoping that the convenience of A-List outweighs the low cost of MoviePass, which can be a frustrating service to use at times.

Here's how it works: for $20 a month, A-List subscribers get to see three movies per week at any AMC, AMC Dine-in, and AMC Classic theater in the United States. AMC says that you can use your A-List subscription to get tickets to any available showtime in any format, whether that's IMAX, Dolby Cinema, RealD 3D, Prime, and BigD. You can also book your tickets online and in advance, something that MoviePass doesn't allow.

AMC has rolled all of the perks from its Stubs Premium loyalty tier into A-List as well. This means you'll get express service at the box office and concession stands, free refills on large popcorn, and no online ticket fees. Stubs Premiere normally costs $15 per year, but it's included at no extra cost in the A-List tier.

Finally, AMC says that you can see all three of your weekly movies on the same day, though if you do, there needs to be a two-hour period in between each one. You can also use the subscription for repeat viewings of movies you've already seen, which is another thing MoviePass doesn't allow. In the end, it sounds like Stubs A-List will be a lot more flexible than MoviePass, but we'll see if that's enough for the general public to justify the higher cost. Stay tuned.