SMG Subscription vs CMX Cinemas
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SMG Subscription
This app provides a convenient way to purchase movie tickets and access subscription plans for Studio Movie Grill. It offers customizable plans for individuals and groups, allowing users to select movies, theaters, and showtimes with a single payment. Enjoy access to all movies and locations without blackout dates.
- Movie ticket purchasing
- Subscription plans
- Customizable individual and group plans
- Choose movies, theaters, and showtimes
- Pay once for multiple movies
- Access all SMG movies and locations
- No blackout days
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The best way to get your Studio Movie Grill tickets. Movie subscription plans are available to a limited number of SMG guests but offer the most convenience and unbeatable savings. Lock in a year of the newest movies with a plan that’s perfect for you! Customizable Plans: We have individual and group plans – any kind of plan to fit your #moviegoals. All About Convenience: Choose your movies, your theaters, and your showtimes, but pay only once. We Mean Access: Any movie format, any SMG location – and no blackout days. All SMG movies and locations at your fingertips, so you can have the movie-going experience that’s perfect for you, each time.
CMX Cinemas
Easily find movies, watch trailers, and purchase tickets directly from your phone. Manage your CMX membership, view booking history, and access your digital ticket for seamless entry. Enjoy an improved user experience with quick access to all your moviegoing needs.
- Search movies and view trailers
- Purchase cinema tickets
- Manage CMX membership
- View booking history
- Access digital tickets
- Request refunds
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The new CMX Cinemas mobile app is now available for our CMX guests! The upgraded app features a brand-new interface with more to offer moviegoers like you. What You Can Do: • Search for movies and view the latest movie trailers and promotions • Set location preferences manually if you do not wish to provide location • Purchase cinema tickets on the app with your CMX Gift Cards or credit/debit cards • Sign up to become a CMX member or sign in if you already are one • Manage your profile account and saved cards • View your current movie purchases and booking history • Access your digital ticket to scan QR code upon entry • Request for a refund About the App, 1. New and improved for a better user experience 2. New and upgraded User Profile 3. Access all your information with just a few taps 4. Performance improvements and bug fixes
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: CMX Cinemas at 4.8 against SMG Subscription's 3.5. CMX Cinemas also leads on ratings volume (7K vs 80). SMG Subscription's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.5). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
CMX Cinemas holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CMX Cinemas has 7K ratings behind it against 80, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 17% of SMG Subscription's written reviews are positive against 18% of CMX Cinemas's.
SMG Subscription ships an update fortnightly, CMX Cinemas every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SMG Subscription | CMX Cinemas |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (80 ratings) | 4.8 (7K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 16.7% of reviews | 17.9% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 80 | 7K — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 5 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 15.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 227 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Subgen Inc. | Cinemex Holdings USA, Inc |
Customer experience
SMG Subscription
CMX Cinemas
User reviews
SMG Subscription
From 80 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Great concept/program
- 👍 Great value subscription plans
- 👍 Great app for great theater
- 👍 Awesome
Room to improve
- 🐛 App doesn't work
- 🐛 App won't open
- 🐛 Cannot connect to server
- 🐛 Connection error
- 🐛 Doesn't let you do anything
CMX Cinemas
From 7K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Fast and convenient app
- 👍 Great theater experience
- 💡 Useful membership program
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent glitches and bugs
- 💰 Expensive convenience fees
- 🔒 Unreliable account management
- 🤖 Outdated and clunky user interface
Bugs and requests
SMG Subscription
Reported bugs
25 issues- App doesn't work
- App won't open
- Cannot connect to server
- Connection error
- Doesn't let you do anything
Show 20 moreShow fewer
- Seat selection screen issues
- Row letters not visible until seat chosen
- Error: "A server with the specified host name could not be found."
- Update broke app
- Unable to get to seat selection
- Login issues (incorrect information, doesn't log on)
- Forgot password not working
- Password works on website but not app
- Slow app loading
- App has never recognized being at the theater for check-in
- Rewards unable to be scanned
- App has too many glitches
- Bad layout
- Issues picking seats
- Cannot add credit card to subscription service
- Cannot add loyalty card to subscription service
- Error when booking movies
- Unknown error occurred when booking
- Error message on ticket selection screen
- Cannot see movies in area
Requested features
26 requests- Fix the app
- Update the app
- Allow purchase of tickets days in advance
- Allow choosing dates for movie reservations
- Make the app as dynamic as Atom Movie Tickets
Show 21 moreShow fewer
- Create a regular app (not just subscription)
- Allow seeing schedule and buying tickets without a subscription
- Fix login issues
- Make the app faster
- Create an app for SMG Access to manage points
- Allow reservation of movies for future showings
- Allow adding credit card to subscription service
- Allow adding loyalty card to subscription service
- Improve check-in functionality at the theater
- Allow scanning rewards directly from the app
- Fix seat selection issues
- Improve app layout
- Improve tech support availability (weekends)
- Offer more than 4 movies per month
- Add a bonus $5 Tuesday ticket or $5 SMG classics ticket option
- Allow reserving tickets for days later in the week
- Integrate with loyalty program
- Make rollover date more visible
- Fix error when booking movies
- Allow seeing movies in the area
- Fix "Unknown error occurred" when booking
CMX Cinemas
Reported bugs
4 issues- Login issues and password reset problems
- Booking history disappearing
- Seat selection and checkout process failures
- Inconsistent app updates and functionality
Requested features
4 requests- Add Apple Pay support
- Improve rewards/points tracking
- Provide more movie details and descriptions
- Allow in-app food/concession ordering
In-app purchases
SMG Subscription
No in-app purchases
CMX Cinemas
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SMG Subscription free?
Is CMX Cinemas free?
Which has better reviews, SMG Subscription or CMX Cinemas?
Do SMG Subscription or CMX Cinemas have ads?
Which is updated more often, SMG Subscription or CMX Cinemas?
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