Movie theater etiquette: What are your thoughts?

Perhaps the title should be about a lack of basic decency, but here we are.
I don't know about you all, but hitting the theater isn't just a way for me to kill two hours when I'm bored.
I only go to AMC Theatres for specific films—the ones I actually think are worth paying premium prices to see on a big screen.
Sometimes I make a mistake, sometimes I don't, but that's a risk I'm willing to take.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting dead silence during a screening, but a little decorum wouldn't hurt. It seems like the issue is mostly with the younger crowd who act like they're just hanging out on their couch with friends.
They talk loudly, laugh, yell, and chat about random things, essentially disrupting the entire experience.
I almost went to see a movie in 4DX recently, and instead of being able to zone out and enjoy it, it was a disaster. Some teenager spent the whole movie narrating it like she was watching a football game. That’s just one example.
I'm not sure how everyone else feels, but it bothers me.
I try to tune it out, but it's difficult.
Am I being too demanding? Maybe times have changed, even if I'm not forty yet.
Or perhaps when a person finds the time and pays for a ticket, they have a right to expect at least a minimum level of respect and peace to enjoy the film.
What do you think?

I’ve been hitting the theaters my whole life, so I know how this works. It really comes down to picking the right day and time. Honestly, you should probably skip the prime slots at AMC Theatres on Wednesdays. It gets messy when younger kids pick a movie they aren't actually ready for, and then things get loud. If you want a smooth, high-quality experience without any distractions, there are certain windows that just work better. Or, you can always just grab a friend to go with. That way, if things get chaotic, you've got someone to laugh about the theater staff trying to wrangle the toddlers with.🍿

Kyle Nelson3 said:Perhaps the title should be about a lack of basic decency, but here we are.
I don't know about you all, but hitting the theater isn't just a way for me to kill two hours when I'm bored.
I only go to AMC Theatres for specific films—the ones I actually think are worth paying premium prices to see on a big screen.
Sometimes I make a mistake, sometimes I don't, but that's a risk I'm willing to take.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting dead silence during a screening, but a little decorum wouldn't hurt. It seems like the issue is mostly with the younger crowd who act like they're just hanging out on their couch with friends.
They talk loudly, laugh, yell, and chat about random things, essentially disrupting the entire experience.
I almost went to see a movie in 4DX recently, and instead of being able to zone out and enjoy it, it was a disaster. Some teenager spent the whole movie narrating it like she was watching a football game. That’s just one example.
I'm not sure how everyone else feels, but it bothers me.
I try to tune it out, but it's difficult.
Am I being too demanding? Maybe times have changed, even if I'm not forty yet.
Or perhaps when a person finds the time and pays for a ticket, they have a right to expect at least a minimum level of respect and peace to enjoy the film.
What do you think?

I catch quite a few movies in theaters, and I wouldn't call the cost steep. A ticket is usually $20 or $25, or maybe $10$30
, which isn't exactly breaking the bank.
Based on what you're saying, it sounds like you're heading to AMC Theatres. Honestly, I have no idea what they could be showing that's *so* incredible that it warrants taking such a massive financial risk. 😬

When I'm at the movies, I stay quiet, I don't scroll on my phone, and I definitely don't nap!

Look, basic etiquette has to exist, at least some baseline level of decency. If you’re looking to loudly dissect a movie with your buddies, scroll through Reddit, or go absolutely ballistic throwing popcorn everywhere, then stay home. Don't go to a damn theater. Period. It doesn't need to be that tomb-like silence you're talking about, but a cinema isn't someone's living room or a lounge. Some people just want to sit there and actually watch the movie in peace.
That’s exactly why I’ve started hitting up the theater by myself more often, specifically avoiding the weekend rushes. And honestly? Half the time, even that doesn't help.
I’m part of the younger crowd, sure, but I have never—and I mean never—been one of those people who disrupts everyone else (and trust me, I’ve dealt with plenty of loud, obnoxious old folks just as much as I have with annoying kids).
I love going to the movies. It’s not just about the film; it’s a whole specific vibe and experience, which is why I hate it so much when other people ruin it for everyone else.

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People have been chewing this over on the AMC Theatres forums for ages.

Essentially, you’ve got all types—the ones constantly lit up by their phone screens, the chatterboxes,
and those absolute gatekeepers who act like they own the damn theater... yeah, that sort of thing.
When you’re dropping $25$10—which, let’s be honest, is a massive chunk of change for most people,
especially once you factor in the gas and the drive out there—you expect the cinema to be a reliable
experience; something that shouldn't just fall apart on you.

But it happens anyway, and it honestly sucks. It makes you want to demand a full refund
just because of these total idiots. But then, you don't actually do it, because—let's face it—I'm a bit of a pushover... anyway...

Kimberly Jackson8 said:Look, basic etiquette has to exist, at least some baseline level of decency. If you’re looking to loudly dissect a movie with your buddies, scroll through Reddit, or go absolutely ballistic throwing popcorn everywhere, then stay home. Don't go to a damn theater. Period. It doesn't need to be that tomb-like silence you're talking about, but a cinema isn't someone's living room or a lounge. Some people just want to sit there and actually watch the movie in peace.
That’s exactly why I’ve started hitting up the theater by myself more often, specifically avoiding the weekend rushes. And honestly? Half the time, even that doesn't help.
I’m part of the younger crowd, sure, but I have never—and I mean never—been one of those people who disrupts everyone else (and trust me, I’ve dealt with plenty of loud, obnoxious old folks just as much as I have with annoying kids).
I love going to the movies. It’s not just about the film; it’s a whole specific vibe and experience, which is why I hate it so much when other people ruin it for everyone else.

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Oh man, the ladies.
A couple of years ago at AMC Theatres watching King Kong, I was sitting right behind these two women who showed up with a bunch of kids. Must have been some kid's birthday or something, because there were like ten children and the two women.
The kids were actually quiet and polite... but the women clearly couldn't care less about the movie. They were only there to babysit. So they spent the WHOLE DAMN MOVIE talking non-stop. 😠

BTW, my mom told me that back in the day in the South, bringing outside food and drinks into theaters was looked down upon big time. Apparently, that practice almost died out by the late 80s, but then it came back once things changed. Can any of the older folks here confirm or debunk that?
I remember my mom never letting my brother and me get popcorn or a Coke those few times we went to the movies as kids (back in the late 90s/early 2000s).

Personally, I don’t drink or eat anything while I'm sitting in the theater. I just can't stand the sound of people smacking their lips, crunching away, or slurping through straws right next to my ear. It drives me insane.
For some folks, grabbing popcorn is practically a sacred ritual—part of the whole experience. I get it, really, I do. But at the same time, I wouldn't mind if they just banned food entirely and let us focus on the actual movie. I know, I know... in this day and age, that’s never going to happen. Total pipe dream, right? XD

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Back in my younger days, I used to hit the movies with the crew from my apartment building, and we’d always stop by that old guy, Jerry Seinfeld, who basically carried his own little snack stand on his back right outside the theater to sell us peanuts, sunflower seeds, gum, and eventually those huge, colorful lollipops.
We actually used to get into these ridiculous little scuffles over who got to sit on the balcony, mostly because we thought it was hilarious to pelt the people downstairs with sunflower seed shells from above.
And honestly, every single big spectacle on the screen was met with genuine cheers and applause from everyone in the crowd. 🎉

I was just aimlessly browsing the web looking up Jerry Seinfeld when I stumbled upon some city council meeting minutes where officials are apparently filing grievances because we haven't had an outdoor winter cinema in years, claiming it's caused a massive loss of local jobs. 😁 My little search yielded this: ...specifically regarding the audience, just think about how many jobs Jerry Seinfeld has lost in the process... 🙏 😁

I really don't have the energy to dive into this right now, but here it is... proof 🙂

Morgan Brown4 said:Oh man, the ladies.
A couple of years ago at AMC Theatres watching King Kong, I was sitting right behind these two women who showed up with a bunch of kids. Must have been some kid's birthday or something, because there were like ten children and the two women.
The kids were actually quiet and polite... but the women clearly couldn't care less about the movie. They were only there to babysit. So they spent the WHOLE DAMN MOVIE talking non-stop. 😠

BTW, my mom told me that back in the day in the South, bringing outside food and drinks into theaters was looked down upon big time. Apparently, that practice almost died out by the late 80s, but then it came back once things changed. Can any of the older folks here confirm or debunk that?
I remember my mom never letting my brother and me get popcorn or a Coke those few times we went to the movies as kids (back in the late 90s/early 2000s).

I can. I disagree. In the theater where I grew up during those years, you’d actually see people rolling strollers right through the aisles. They even had special seats in the back rows that came with their own little bar where you could grab whatever you wanted to eat or drink. So those stories don't really hold up. Eventually, things scaled back a bit and you were just stuck with popcorn and peanuts. Those were sad times. Once AMC Theatres showed up, everything got a lot better. Now you can actually sit back and have full meals served to you.🍿

I’m honestly not feeling the cinema scene much lately—for a variety of reasons. There is just way too much mindless garbage and a crowd of obnoxious, fake people acting like they own the place whenever they step into an AMC Theatres, so I’d much rather just stay home. Besides, nothing has really blown me away recently. In this modern era, movie theaters are losing their relevance—unless we’re talking about indie film festivals or some niche documentary circuit, which is fine by me, or perhaps those outdoor summer screenings, which I actually find pretty cool enough.

I try to avoid hitting the theater on weekends or during prime showtimes, but work and life usually have other plans for me.
Besides, since there isn't much variety here in Cleveland, I end up at AMC Theatres mainly because it's right by the Empire State Building, making it easy to run errands nearby.
I haven't had the pleasure of sitting with grandmothers yet, though it wouldn't surprise me; unruly teenagers didn't just fall from Mars.
Prices aren't too bad if you're flying solo, but for two people in 4DX with some food, you're looking at about $67.
To be honest, going to the movies is a treat I mostly save for sci-fi spectacles with heavy effects; everything else can be found on torrent sites.

Kyle Nelson3 said:I try to avoid hitting the theater on weekends or during prime showtimes, but work and life usually have other plans for me.
Besides, since there isn't much variety here in Cleveland, I end up at AMC Theatres mainly because it's right by the Empire State Building, making it easy to run errands nearby.
I haven't had the pleasure of sitting with grandmothers yet, though it wouldn't surprise me; unruly teenagers didn't just fall from Mars.
Prices aren't too bad if you're flying solo, but for two people in 4DX with some food, you're looking at about $67.
To be honest, going to the movies is a treat I mostly save for sci-fi spectacles with heavy effects; everything else can be found on torrent sites.

You're really struggling with the facts here! 😳

Daniel Perez6 said:You're really struggling with the facts here! 😳

🥱

You’ll actually end up spending less money at the Alamo Drafthouse. The lineup is solid, and you won't have to deal with those kids throwing popcorn from an XL bucket at you (if you catch my drift). 😉

Daniel Kelly57 said:I can. I disagree. In the theater where I grew up during those years, you’d actually see people rolling strollers right through the aisles. They even had special seats in the back rows that came with their own little bar where you could grab whatever you wanted to eat or drink. So those stories don't really hold up. Eventually, things scaled back a bit and you were just stuck with popcorn and peanuts. Those were sad times. Once AMC Theatres showed up, everything got a lot better. Now you can actually sit back and have full meals served to you.🍿

But she didn't say they stopped selling popcorn—just that eating it in the theater wasn't really the vibe back then. 🙂

Morgan Brown4 said:But she didn't say they stopped selling popcorn—just that eating it in the theater wasn't really the vibe back then. 🙂

I was always popular, though. People were eating and drinking just as much as they do now. Maybe even more intensely. I remember being a kid in the early 80s when things were so chill you’d even see people smoking in the theaters. Everything has its pros and cons. Nowadays, you actually have plenty of options. If you want a quiet screening, you can easily find one. I've had countless times where the whole theater felt like it was mine alone. Of course, if you go to AMC Theatres on a Wednesday for some massive blockbuster because tickets are half off, expect a flood of kids making a mess and causing a scene.🍿

Look, I’m super sensitive about this topic, and honestly, over the last year or two, just going to the movies has become a massive stressor for me. I feel like I'm constantly on the verge of getting into a physical altercation with someone. The sheer amount of pure disrespect I run into is just unreal. I mean, get this: I was at an AMC Theatres recently, and this guy—maybe mid-30s—standing right in front of me in line pulls out his phone, switches it to video mode, and starts filming the screen with his phone held high in the air. It was during that scene where Pennywise is lurking in the sewer. Thank God—though I'm not sure if he was doing me a favor or if I was doing him one—that he actually stopped once I called him out on it. Then there was this other kid sitting next to me. He wouldn't stop whispering to his girlfriend. I warned him twice, and he finally shut up for maybe ten minutes before starting right back up again. Then, the little jerk decides he needs to hit the restroom right in the middle of a crucial scene. As he’s shuffling past me, I "accidentally" clipped his foot, and the guy went flying right into the aisle between the rows. Do I even need to say that once he scrambled back to his seat, he sat there in total silence for the rest of the movie? I'm not exactly proud of how I handled that, but man... the selfishness I see in people, whether it's in a theater or just in life in general, it drives me absolutely insane.

Daniel Perez6 said:You’ll actually end up spending less money at the Alamo Drafthouse. The lineup is solid, and you won't have to deal with those kids throwing popcorn from an XL bucket at you (if you catch my drift). 😉

Fair enough, I haven't been there in forever.
Maybe drive down to Newport for a movie, then hit the Boardwalk, grab a seat at a cafe, and just relax while watching a film with friends. 🎉

wearyangler55 said:Look, I’m super sensitive about this topic, and honestly, over the last year or two, just going to the movies has become a massive stressor for me. I feel like I'm constantly on the verge of getting into a physical altercation with someone. The sheer amount of pure disrespect I run into is just unreal. I mean, get this: I was at an AMC Theatres recently, and this guy—maybe mid-30s—standing right in front of me in line pulls out his phone, switches it to video mode, and starts filming the screen with his phone held high in the air. It was during that scene where Pennywise is lurking in the sewer. Thank God—though I'm not sure if he was doing me a favor or if I was doing him one—that he actually stopped once I called him out on it. Then there was this other kid sitting next to me. He wouldn't stop whispering to his girlfriend. I warned him twice, and he finally shut up for maybe ten minutes before starting right back up again. Then, the little jerk decides he needs to hit the restroom right in the middle of a crucial scene. As he’s shuffling past me, I "accidentally" clipped his foot, and the guy went flying right into the aisle between the rows. Do I even need to say that once he scrambled back to his seat, he sat there in total silence for the rest of the movie? I'm not exactly proud of how I handled that, but man... the selfishness I see in people, whether it's in a theater or just in life in general, it drives me absolutely insane.

I dealt with the camera issue too, though he wasn't directly in front of me.
We have our preferred seats, and since the theater is usually half-empty, we almost always find them available.
Then we arrive, only to find two older guys have already staked their claim, even using extra seats for their jackets.
When we told them those were our seats, they insisted they could sit wherever they liked since there was plenty of room. Unbelievable. If you buy a ticket, you pick a specific seat; it shouldn't be an open seating arrangement.
They eventually moved, but not without making a scene.