MoviePass will live to see another day. The previously troubled movie subscription service is returning on Labor Day, and it will open up a waitlist for early sign-ups on August 25. MoviePass originally launched in 2017, but despite the popularity of the movie subscription service, it was not sustainable. The service attempted several different business models and pricing iterations before eventually shutting down in 2019.
Fast forward to February 2022 when MoviePass executive and co-founder Stacy Spikes announced the company would relaunch this summer. Spikes was one of the original founders of the company. Early on, Helios + Matheson stepped in as a partner and investor and fired Spikes before running MoviePass into the ground. Spikes repurchased the bankrupt company and vowed to relaunch it.
“A lot of people lost money. A lot of people lost trust. There were a lot of people who were hurt and disappointed, and I was one of those people who was disappointed and hurt too,” Spikes said. “…I got fired from the company that I founded, was ousted, and that was a really hard thing to take.”
The waitlist opens today
Starting at 9 a.m. ET on August 25, MoviePass Beta will open the waitlist for the new and improved MoviePass. Those on the waitlist will get priority access to the service when it launches and receive 10 invitations to send to friends. Invitations, however, are limited and after MoviePass closes the waitlist the only way to join will be through an invitation from a friend. The waitlist will only be open for five days, closing on August 29 at 11:59 p.m. ET. There is no cost to join the waitlist.
Past MoviePass subscribers will receive complimentary bonus credits to their account when joining. Also, all attendees at the live Lincoln Center launch announcement in February are on a VIP list and will receive a complimentary Beta test account. They will be notified by email how to activate their accounts.
MoviePass will have three tiers of pricing. Depending on the market, general prices will be $10, $20 and $30. At each level, subscribers will receive a certain number of credits which can be used toward movies each month. MoviePass said it will provide additional details at a later date.
Launch details
On MoviePass’s FAQs page, the service explains that MoviePass Beta will relaunch on or around Labor Day, September 5, 2022. It will not launch in all markets at once. Instead, they will be launched in waves.
“The launch determination will be weighted on level of engagement from the waitlist in each market as well as locations of exhibition partners,” says MoviePass.
MoviePass will notify subscribers by email when the service is available in their market, and they’ll be able to register at that time. Though MoviePass didn’t specify the theater chains where MoviePass could be used, they did say the new movie subscription service would “feature all major theaters that accept major credit cards in the U.S.”
Insider Take
The original MoviePass was a hot mess, riddled with problems including poor management; poor execution; everchanging pricing and terms and conditions; a security breach; bankruptcy; and a settlement with the FTC. Prior to Spikes’ announcement, it was hard to imagine how the movie subscription service could rise again. However, Spikes has a strong desire and passion to revamp MoviePass and regain the trust of past subscribers. He appears to be innovative and dedicated to ensuring its success.
