MoviePass, the movie ticket subscription service that enabled subscribers to buy up to three movie tickets per month for a small fee, shut down Saturday.
Its future is unclear.
Helios and Matheson Analytics, the parent organization of MoviePass, said Friday in a statement that it was suspending service for all its patrons because its efforts to seek funding has not been prosperous.
It says it’s “unable to predict if or when” MoviePass will continue. The company says it’s preparing to study all alternatives including the sale of the company in its fullness.
MoviePass drew in millions of supporters, initially luring them with a $10 monthly rate. But that proved unsustainable. Because MoviePass typically pays theaters the full cost of tickets — $15 or more in big cities — a single movie can put the service in the red. The organization was forced to make changes. Those efforts, however, never stood the losses.
In a letter posted to subscribers on its website, Mitch Lowe, CEO of MoviePass, wrote,” In August 2017, MoviePass began a transformation of the movie-going industry by proposing its low monthly price subscription service. Since then, others in the industry have followed our lead.”
MoviePass said it will be giving subscribers with “appropriate” refunds for their period of service already paid for. Subscribers will not need to inquire a refund or contact MoviePass customer service to receive a refund. Subscribers will not be charged during the service interruption, according to the website.
Helios acquired a majority stake in the subscription service in 2017.
