Yesterday, Disney announced that it will release Mulan on Disney Plus on September 4th to the tune of a $30 upcharge.
Yes, that’s in addition to the regular subscriber fee. But here’s why it’s worth it.
Safety First
Wait… are they social distancing? Still from Disney’s upcoming Mulan.
Okay, well, here’s the obvious one. Some movie theaters had the option to open this summer, but many companies pushed back. Regal, AMC, and Cinemark remain closed here in Florida, though Governor DeSantis suggested they reopen.
Why didn’t they? Companies aren’t confident that movie-goers will be comfortable in the theater, even with limited capacity and health procedures in place.
Come to think of it, sitting in an enclosed space with recycled air and mouths crunching popcorn all around you in the dark—it does sound exactly like what we aren’t supposed to be doing right now.
So the theater just isn’t an option that we can bellyache about anymore unless you are lucky enough to live near one of the now-thriving drive-in theaters across the United States.
You Are Likely Saving Money, Here
Me when I have a coupon. Still from Disney’s upcoming Mulan
Even if we could see Mulan at an AMC theater, it would cost about $13.69 per adult, and around $10.69 per child.
For a family of four, that’s around $48.76. A healthy bit less than the $30 fee to watch at home on Disney Plus.
If you count the Disney Plus subscription fee of $6.99, it is more, but I’d only consider throwing in that subscription fee if you truly aren’t using your Disney Plus for the rest of the month.
And we aren’t including incidentals in that price, like gasoline to get to the theater, and the real money-maker for the movie theaters … snacks.
The Refreshments at Home are Cheaper
Ready to slice into some figgy flatbread. Still from Disney’s upcoming Mulan
As a kid of the 80s, I grew up with meager snack bar offerings like popcorn and candy. That was it. We walked uphill both ways in the snow and had only popcorn at the movie theaters, kids. Tough times.
So when the Cobb Luxury movie theaters started serving coconut shrimp and—my fav—fig and goat cheese flatbreads, my mind was blown. I could sit my little tray in the plush electronic-reclining seat and settle in for Ant-Man in style.
I really miss those days, but I don’t miss the cost of that highfalutin livin’. But, my husband makes a wicked flatbread and we can eat all the Ben & Jerry’s that we dare throw in the cart.
I tallied ingredients for a figgy flatbread, coconut shrimp, and two pints of Ben & Jerry’s on Walmart’s grocery delivery site.
The grand total? $19.05. I recall the coconut shrimp alone at the theater costing $13.
Armed with a fig flatbread and coconut shrimp recipes, I am saving money and creating a theater-style party for me and my family as we cook together.
And if you’re just interested in a classic popcorn and soda snack, that’s even cheaper. Movie theaters mark up the cost of popcorn at a whopping 1,275%!
Of course, we get it, we’re paying for the experience of holding that buttery tub, but popcorn is one of the easiest things (even that butter sauce) to make at home!
How to Make the Most of It
So, we’re still sitting in our homes clicking an option to buy. Not exactly the box office experience, but we can do even better.
Add a little structure to make the night special for your family.
1. Set a specific “Showtime” for everyone to pile onto the couch. Announce it earlier in the day to build excitement!
2. Create handmade theater decorations to get everyone in the spirit! You can even make paper hats for those serving up the food!
3. Fill the room with the smell of popcorn. It’s a must-have treat to set the scene!
4. Previews anyone? The family could invent their own upcoming Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, or Marvel movies and act out a preview before the movie starts. Coming to Theaters: The Adventures of Ant-Man and Star Lord! (please, make this)
5. Remind the family that you’re together, healthy, and ready to make the most of it, even if it isn’t at the theater this time. You could really end up having a night that is way more memorable than a trip to the movies.
Will you be watching Mulan on September 4th? Here is the trailer to get you excited all over again:
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