Watching movies is a popular pastime in Malaysia. We go to the cinemas to cry, to laugh, to fear, and to be amazed at the ever-changing possibilities of story telling, acting, and stunning visuals and acoustics. Watching a movie on the big screen lets you temporarily transport to distant lands full of adventure, romance, action, or whichever experience you prefer.

Here are a few ways to help you get the best experience at the movie theatres in Malaysia.

SEE ALSO: IMAX in Malaysia: Everything You Should Know

Find the right cinema

There are not many cinemas in Malaysia and as a result, only a handful of cinemas, such as Tanjong Golden Village Cinemas (TGV) and Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), rule the cinema market. Nevertheless, that being said, other cinemas do exist throughout the nation. Cathay Cineplex is a viable alternative to the two big names in Malaysian cinema. Lotus Five Star (LFS) Cinemas is another cinema chain, along with MBO Cinemas. 

As a general rule of thumb, the bigger and fancier the movie chain, the more expensive its ticket prices will generally be, with the exception of Cathay Cineplex (it offers similar priced tickets to GSC or TGV, even though it has significantly fewer theaters.).  Additionally, you can visit their website to find which movie theatre is closest to where you live.

Get the best price

Price is always a major factor when deciding on how to get the best cinema experience to fit your budget. Thankfully, tickets for cinemas in Malaysia are reasonably priced. Well-established cinemas typically offer standard tickets at around RM5-15, depending on the time, offer, or discounts applicable.

A majority of cinemas in Malaysia offer special concession rates for students, kids, and senior citizens, in addition to other price discount offerings. Golden Screen Cinemas (also known as GSC and is one of the two biggest cinema giants) for example, offers slight differences in pricing depending on location, ticket category, and time. A look at their ticket prices can be found here. That being said, the best time to catch a movie is on Mondays to Wednesdays, when it seems that most cinemas (such as TGV, GSC, Cathay, and LFS) offer cheaper prices and less of a crowd.

Those who still prefer a better cinematic experience when at the theatres will need to pay much more to advance to a different type of movie class.

Choose your preferred movie class or seating experience

Most cinemas in Malaysia offer different types of movie classes and seating experiences.

Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) offer several options. GSC starts from the Standard Class tickets, which ranges from RM6-15 and features connected seats intended for watching normal, 2D, or 3D movies. Another class they offer is s above standard is Premiere Class, ranging from RM20-30 and has roomier paired seats in favour of the standard rows of connected chairs.  Next up is Gold Class, with tickets ranging from RM40-60. For that price, viewers get the luxury of reclining seats with an adjoining table for snacks as well as an on-call service button, attached lounge and toilets, and less patrons for more privacy.

GSC also offers twin seats, which is ideal for couples.

Tangjong Golden Villeage Cinemas (TGV) offers its own class variations, such as Standard, Beanie, IMAX, and Luxe. Beanie option allows viewers to watch the movie on beanbag chairs instead of the traditional row seats at standard class cinemas and costs RM22 per ticket. IMAX cinemas offer standard seats but also have a significantly larger screens and sharper viewing experiences as compared to standard cinemas. IMAX costs RM22 per ticket. Luxe is a TGV cinema experiences which comprises their only their best seating options: premium and twin seats. In other words, there is no standard seating in this cinema class.

Cathay Cineplex offers Standard Class and Platinum Movie Suites (their version of the Gold Class), costing RM14 and RM40, for both classes of tickets respectively.

Sit in the right part of the cinema

The best seats in a cinema are typically situated in the centre, two thirds of the way back from the screen. This spot offers a great viewing angle and represents an acoustic sweet spot. This is partly due to the fact that most movie calibrations are made from this perspective, usually around rows C-F. Those who want a higher chance of scoring great seats should book tickets as soon as you have decided on the movie you want to see.

Buy a ticket online or through smartphone apps

Who has time in today’s day and age to head down to your local cinema to purchase tickets hours before the movie starts anyway? This is where your best friend, known as the Internet, comes into play. Most cinema chains in the country have their own smartphone app, along with a website, allowing customers to buy movie tickets without the hassle of physically waiting in line at the cinema. You can visit their websites by clicking our links above or Googling them. You can also find their apps in app stores and their websites.

Join a rewards card program

Some cinemas in the country offer loyalty rewards card programmes, giving rebate prices to frequent loyal customers of their cinemas. Sometimes these rewards programmed are tied to credit cards or memberships with other corporate entities. Rewards can range up to free tickets, massively discounted prices, along with snacks, and other promotional goodies. Check your local cinema’s website to get the full lowdown.

What tips do you have for getting the best movie theatre experience in Malaysia? Share a thought in the comments below.

SEE ALSO:

• IMAX Movie Theatres in Malaysia: Everything You Should Know
• Is Astro B.yond Right for You?
• Apple TV in Malaysia: Should You Buy it or Not?
• Top Websites for Watching TV and Movies Online in Malaysia
• How to Listen to Music Online in Malaysia

Photo credit: Bahman Farzad / Foter / CC BY