Groupon makes deal with Lionsgate, selling half-price tickets to ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Groupon, the website that features daily deals on services as varied as massages and solar-power panel installation, is linking up with Hollywood.

The popular online destination has made its first deal with a movie studio, announcing Wednesday that it would hold a two-day sale on half-price tickets to Lionsgate’s new film ‘The Lincoln Lawyer,’ for $6 a pop.

The picture, which stars Matthew McConaughey and opens Friday in more than 2,500 theaters, will likely be one of two new releases battling for the top spot at the box office this weekend.

As of about noon on Wednesday, 1,299 users had purchased tickets on Groupon’s Los Angeles site. Those who buy a ticket through the special promotion will redeem their purchase via the online ticketing provider Fandango.

While this is the first time Groupon is selling movie tickets, other deal sites have already dipped their toes into the film market. This month online deal destination Living Social offered a popular $9 coupon for two movie tickets up to $15 in value each through Fandango.

Groupon currently reaches 60 million online consumers, according to a news release issued Wednesday. In a statement, Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns said pairing up with Groupon would allow the studio to ‘reach our consumers with targeted, cost-effective and innovative campaigns.’ Lionsgate also offered up the film’s talent to help promote the deal: a Q&A with star McConaughey is featured below the movie ticket offer on Groupon’s site.

-- Amy Kaufman