Cineplex is offering $3.99 tickets for family-friendly Saturday screenings

Customers buy popcorn at a Cineplex theatre in downtown Toronto. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov)

Cineplex is offering cheap tickets for family-friendly screenings on Saturdays in January.

Starting on Jan. 10, the cinema chain is selling tickets for as low as $3.99 before tax as part of its “Family Favourites” program.

“Got little ones at home?” Cineplex Canada says on its website. “Weekend plans for the whole gang just got easier!”

Upcoming screenings include the 20th anniversary edition of Madagascar on Jan. 10 and 17, the Christian animated movie The King of Kings on Jan. 24, and the Looney Tunes film The Day The Earth Blew Up on Jan. 31.

“I think this is a great idea,” CTV film critic Richard Crouse told CTVNews.ca. “Movies are a fantastic way to entertain the entire family and the deep discount on the ticket prices offers families an entertaining and economical way to spend time together, in the shared experience of seeing a film.”

The $3.99 tickets are available in theatres and online for CineClub members. Online ticket purchases will cost $4.99 for Scene+ members and $5.49 for others, which includes a booking fee and advanced seat selection. Prices are subject to applicable taxes. Most showtimes are before noon.

“As a film critic, I’m pleased they’re building a new generation of film fans who hopefully will continue to go to the movies for years to come,” Crouse said. “The three movies on offer seem like great choices for the entire family.”

Cineplex’s “Family Favourites” program will be available on select Saturdays at participating locations. Films are subject to change.

“For kids, going to the theatre seems special, it’s exciting,” Crouse added. “I think kids get more out of seeing movies on the big screen than they do sitting at home, where there are distractions and the potential for kids to not pay as much attention to the story.”