Why queue at the cinema, when you can book your movie tickets online? These theatre and cinema booking services allow movie goers to reserve seats, buy tickets, check show times or book over the phone.

Click here to access Spling's handy now showing mini movie guide or access www.spling.mobi from your cellphone's internet browser when you're at the cinema.

The Low Down: Ster-Kinekor is renowned for its broad span of cinemas around South Africa. Ster-Kinekor run Classic, Junction and Noveau divisions, which cater for commercial and art house cinema. The ticket prices are R20 (Junction) or R48 (Classic/Noveau) respectively and they accept bookings online at the Ster-Kinekor flash website.

Pros: The Ster-Kinekor flash website is incredibly easy-to-use and makes collecting movie tickets at the cinema a relatively painless exercise. They also offer interactive ticket tellers for people with a debit or credit card for personalised bookings.

The Ster-Kinekor Noveau division is dedicated to art house cinema, generally opting for Oscar-winning films, acclaimed foreign films and documentaries. This division hosts most of Ster-Kinekor's film festivals and is regarded as a commercial hub for serious movie goers. Film Finesse a free Noveau film circuit publication can often be found at these cinemas. Their kiosk menu is slightly more refined than the commerical division and has more luxurious coffee and chocolate options. 

Ster-Kinekor Movie Club members can earn "moviemoola" (point credit currency) towards complimentary movie tickets by watching more movies. Ster-Kinekor also run Half-Price Tuesdays, which is popular for group outings amongst students. Discovery Vitality and Edgars Club Card holders are entitled to a significant discount on movie tickets.

On the cinema front, they have Chick Flick Thursdays, 3D theatres and regularly screen comedy, opera features and film festivals. Chick Flick Thursdays gives girls a chance to see films with a female interest a week or two before they come out. Most 3D performances cost R65, which includes a pair of 3D glasses.

The comedy, opera and ballet features are of a high standard and the ticket prices cheap compared to the cost of being there, however there's no beating the atmosphere of a live performance. On average, Ster-Kinekor hosts a film festival a month, so expect an assortment of foreign films.

Cons: Ticket prices are generally expensive if you don't belong to a supported benefits programme like Discovery's Vitality or Edgars Club Card. The confectionery stand is also expensive, even with combination deals, so you should anticipate spending up to R90 per person for a movie, popcorn and Coke. You are only permitted to consume snacks and drinks bought at Ster-Kinekor kiosks. Tickets purchased at Junction cinemas are unreserved, so first come - first serve.

Tips: If you watch more than 10 movies a year, you should consider joining a benefits programme such as Edgars Club Card or Discovery Vitality to save on your movie outings. If you're on a budget, share an Upsize Coke and popcorn with your partner, that usually does the trick. If you'd prefer to skip the preview trailers and adverts, arrive 12-15 minutes after the show's start time - just make sure that the cinema is relatively empty, so that you don't step on any toes! 

The Low Down: Nu Metro is renowned for its host of cinemas around South Africa. They run commercial theatres, which also cater for specific art house cinema releases. The ticket prices start from R39 and they accept bookings online at Nu Metro's website here.

Pros: Members of Momentum Multiply's Wellness Programme are entitled to discounts on tickets, and Clicks Club Card holders only have to pay R25 for regular 2D movies and R45 for 3D films, Mon-Fri (only 2 tickets per card, per day). Movie tickets are reduced to R18 per ticket on Woza Wednesdays and you don't need to belong to any club to benefit.

Entertainment journalist, Barry Ronge, holds exclusive sneak previews for select audiences in Johannesburg. Confectionery stand prices are generally less expensive than Ster-Kinekor and Clicks Club Card members can earn savings points back on their popcorn and Coke purchases.

When it comes to cinema features, Nu Metro host Girls Night Out, 3D, Comedy, Ballet, Opera and film festivals. Tickets to 3D shows cost R60. Girls Night Out features chick flick previews of upcoming films and as the title suggests, it's intended for women only.

When you consider how much a performing arts experience would cost at an opera house, the ticket prices become a laughing matter, although no digiscreen, sound system or high-definition format can replicate the experience of actually being there. Various annual Film Festivals are hosted frequently and feature top quality foreign and unreleased films. 

Cons: If you don't belong to a benefit club, you should expect to pay up to R70 per person for a ticket, a Coke and a popcorn. Confectionery stand prices are still relatively expensive, and you're only allowed to consume snacks or drinks purchased at the Nu Metro kiosk.

Tips: Get a Clicks Club Card or join Momentum Multiply's Wellness Programme. This will put a R20 dent in those movie prices, making it easier for you to go to the movies whenever you get a chance. If you're on a budget, sharing a large popcorn and Coke with your movie buddy usually does the trick. If you'd prefer to skip the preview trailers and adverts, arrive 12-15 minutes after the show's start time - just make sure that the cinema isn't fully booked, so that you don't step on any toes! 

 Labia Theatre (Cape Town)
The oldest independent art cinema in South Africa.

 
Book your movie tickets at The Labia Theatre

The Low Down: The Labia on Orange is the oldest independent art-repertory cinema in South Africa. Originally opened for live performances by Princess Labia in 1949. For the last 3 decades, the Labia has operated as an independent cinema for more discerning audiences with an alternative offering to the mainstream.

Pros: If old world ambience, historical significance and the charms of an independent cinema's art house film selection appeal to you, then the Labia could be your new spot for cinema. Originally an Italian Embassy ballroom, the Labia has been a hub for the arts over the last 60 years. The cinema has 4 screens ranging from a 176-seater to the more intimate 66-seater cinema.

The movie ticket prices are competitive at R25 for all shows, with a R5 discount for students, senior citizens and children. Members of Labia, Ava, Discovery, Jay-Bee and Edgars are also entitled to this nominal discount. The Labia also has movie/meal vouchers available at R70. The Labia on Kloof is a more recent addition with two more modern cinemas.

The Labia plays host to a number of film festivals and premieres each year, including The SA Horrorfest.

Cons: As an independent cinema, the Labia's cinema screens are generally smaller and not fitted with the latest sound technology. However, this isn't really a problem (unless you're an audiophile) for their art house cinema selection and adds to the charm of the overall experience.

Tips: Get there early to find street parking or try the underground parking garage. Make it a meal and a movie with their selection of combination deals. Labia Theatre regular? Get a bulk discount, by buying 10 tickets at a time - only pay R20 per ticket. 

MovieTickets.co.uk
For the online purchase of movie tickets.


Book your movie tickets at MovieTickets.co.uk

The Low Down: An online ticket purchasing, show time service available to the United Kingdom.