EVERYONE loves a night out at the movies: popcorn, a cold drink and, of course, the actual experience of the big screen.

The only downside to catching the latest flick is, of course, the damage to the hip pocket, so this week Bargain Hunter is looking into ways of saving money while going to the cinema.

There are four options in the Tweed - Hoyts Tweed City, Birch Carroll and Coyle at Showcase Coolangatta, Regent Cinema in Murwillumbah and Cinemax in Kingscliff.

Hoyts have the cheapest ticket price at $8.90 all year round, and also offer group specials and members benefits.

Food is a big part of the expense so it is best to buy combos.

Hoyts manager Glenn Brooker told Daily News about some of the deals offered.

"We have all the combo deals and have many junior deals along with mums and bubs deals, and our ticket price is very cheap," Mr Brooker said.

Jacqui Bollard was over the moon with her spend when Daily News bumped into her about to take her two boys Noah and Chad to see Turbo at Hoyts; she had just saved a fortune.

"I got one of the Hoyts cards, just then I got everything for $15 instead of $70 so I am very happy," Mrs Bollard said.

Mrs Bollard was talking about the Hoyts rewards card, where you gather points which you can then redeem on free tickets, popcorn, choc tops and soft drinks. Cinemax in Kingscliff offers plush, personalised service and seating and has a far more depth on the menu which serves more hot food than the others.

They offer membership to their movie club which is free, and after you have seen 10 movies you can watch the 11th for free.

Murwillumbah's Regent Cinema offers a huge screen and bean bags to sit on; they hold regular special events like film festivals and live music as well as specialising inart-house films.

Tickets at the Regent are $12 for adults, $10 concession and $8 for kids.

Birch Coolangatta offer a members rewards program called Cinebuzz, where you can earn points and redeem them for free movies.

It also has a variety of specials on at the moment like its friends and family of the cinema. You can purchase tickets for $8.50 online for a range of movies and a $10.50 ticket on cheap Tuesdays every week.

Birch's general manager Dianne Casey said the friends deal was the best value.

" Definitely the best value is the friends online deal. We also have family deals on; the online deal starts on Monday, October 7," Mrs Casey said.

TIPS:

• Members save money, so join up
• Buy food in package deals
• Look out for cheap ticket days
• Use a concession card if you have one
• Large groups get discounts
• Enter cinema competitions