Area Theaters Provide Great Deals for Marietta Movie-goers

We're all watching our family budgets these days. Whether shopping with coupons or looking for two-for-one deals, we're taking advantage of all sorts of offers and savings that help us stretch our dollars.

This column is dedicated to giving you five great local deals each week that will help your family's bottom line, and since we do the scouting for you, you can save time as well as money.

You are a big part of this column. Let us hear about the deals you've seen. Just add them to our comment box. Then come back each week and see what we've uncovered together.

This week, Frugal Family scoured our local sources to come up with five summer movie deals, great for beating the heat and saving the budget. Some are free and some just really cheap. Some have been suggested in the past. All of them are Summer specials designed for families who like movies!

"B at the Movies": Shrek Forever After (PG) Saturday at Swift-Cantrell Park.  3140 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw.  Admission is FREE. Movie begins at dark. B98.5FM is bringing back wholesome, fun to Swift-Cantrell Park with "B at the Movies."  Relax under the night sky and watch the fourth and final installment in the popular Shrek film series, Shrek Forever After (rated PG), projected on a giant inflatable screen. Moviegoers are encouraged to bring a blanket or comfortable low-back chair. The event will include giveaways, family games and concessions, but families may bring a picnic basket and cooler. Parking is available at Swift-Cantrell Park and Kennesaw Elementary School, 3155 Jiles Road. For information, call 770-422-9714.

Movies at the Galleria/Free Movies in the Park.  Now through Aug. 11. Galleria Gardens in the Cobb Galleria Centre, 100 Galleria Parkway. Starts at dusk (around 8:30 p.m.) Free family movie, popcorn,and parking every Thursday night. Bring your blankets and drinks.  For Thursday, the movie will be Big (PG); for June 30, E.T. (PG) For information and full schedule, go to www.viningschurch.com/upcoming-events/movies-in-the-park.

Picture Show at Merchants Walk. Recent releases for less than $2! Movies are only $1.75 and only $1 on Tuesdays. ($2 surcharge for 3D) I’ll give this a personal shout out. Recently Arthur had a short run our “regular” local theaters, and I really wanted to see it. It began playing the very next week at this theater, and I got my wish. Concessions are much cheaper, too. For example, two small drinks and a medium pocorn are only $7. There’s a kid’s deal for $4.25 that includes drink, popcorn and candy. For kids groups of 15 or more, $5 buys the ticket PLUS the  previously mentioned kid’s deal! Movies change on Fridays. Go to www.pictureshowent.com/locations/marrietta-location for full, current and upcoming movies/schedule. 4400 Roswell Road (behind Chucky Cheese). Movie Line: 770-977-2977

Regal Cinemas’ Summer Movie Express –  $1 Movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. through Aug. 3. Moviegoers of all ages will enjoy a great selection of films during this nine-week festival.  Select Regal Cinemas, United Artists and Edwards Theatres will offer selected G- or PG-rated movies for only a dollar on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m.  Regal Cinemas close to Marietta are: Regal at Town Center, 2795 Town Center Drive in Kennesaw and Regal Austell, 2480 East-West Connector Road in Austell. 770-439-9336. Both of these locations will be showing the following movies on these dates: 6/21-6/22 (10am) How To Train Your Dragon and Shrek The Third; 6/28-6/29 (10am) Kung Fu Panda and Tale of Despereaux. Go to www.regmovies.com/summermovieexpress for full schedule.

Last but not least: NCG Cinemas in Acworth. If you want to take your family to see the very latest movie, NCG on Tuesdays is the best value overall. Tickets are only $6 all day for most movies (Regularly $9 for adults) (IMAX, 2 Real 3 D are more). You pay for your concessions when you purchase tickets, then go to a self serve area for drinks and popcorn. Refills are free. Almost everything at this theater is less expensive. Located near Kohl’s, this state-of-the-art theater offers high back, rocker seating and great Dolby sound. There are lots of packages and specials available from this theater. Go to www.ncgmovies.com/acworth to see them and to get movie dates and times. 4421 Cinema Drive, Acworth (behind the Butler Creek Kroger Shopping Center) 678-384-5710.