With all the movies I see, I am constantly bombarded with just how much the theater scene has changed over the past several years. Much like live theater, it’s almost as if society returned from our unprecedented times and immediately decided to throw out all the rules. So for those who have forgotten or were maybe never taught, here’s an idiot’s guide to movie theater etiquette.
- No talking
I love swapping theories and predictions on films just as much as the next person, but it’s important to keep the other theater goers in mind. Yes, react to the film, talk about the movie but at a low volume level. Try to keep your conversations from straying away from the film and stay engaged with what’s in front of you.
- No flash photography
When I went to see “Smile 2” (2024), I was completely taken aback by a man in the seat directly in front of me who pulled out his phone during the film and proceeded to take a picture of the man next to him with full flash on. He then proceeded to show off the photo to his other friends in the row while the rest of the theater was trying to figure out if Skye would survive this supernatural threat. Using phones and taking pictures or videos in a theater is distracting and rude to those around you, so make sure to keep them turned off and put away.
- Be on time
Unfortunately, there are going to be times when people enter a theater late, but it's a good rule of thumb to remember AMC Theatres does about 20 minutes of previews from the start time of the movie. So, use those 20 minutes as a buffer and try to get in on time. There’s nothing more annoying than when you are completely invested in the first act of a film before someone enters the theater late, stumbling over people’s feet as half a row has to stand up to let them through.
- Silence your phones
Another fairly simple point that needs to be outlined — there is nothing worse than being completely captivated by a movie when someone’s ringer goes off. Imagine this, you’re watching the opening of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (2022), waiting to see how they are going to acknowledge Chadwick Boseman. You’re watching these actors rush around the screen, anxiety filling every fiber of your body. You see them collapse to the ground as reality sets in and with bated breath you wait — and then a phone rings out. Don’t be that person and silence your phones.
- Stay engaged
This final rule may be hard depending on a variety of factors, including the film itself, but remember that you most likely paid good money to see this movie on the big screen. So, pay attention. Stay invested in the plot and the characters — don’t let your mind and hands wander to your phone and social media. Don’t fall asleep and let your snores fill up the theater. If you don’t want to stay engaged, don’t show up.
