Movie theater etiquette: What are your thoughts?

I honestly don't get how anyone can complain about new arenas being built.
It was just great sitting in those creaky wooden chairs, especially when you've got some giant sitting right in front of you blocking the entire screen... truly a nostalgic blast if you enjoy losing your mind...
They probably don't even remember all the people scalping tickets back in the day either.

Patrick Martin said:For me, that whole complex was even deeper because I remember that specific feeling of pure bliss* whenever my relatives would fly in from Germany with suitcases packed full of the best candy, chocolates, and sodas. It was this weird, unclassifiable sense of 🕺

...I was drinking Coca-Cola...

I've been reading your stuff since ☕

*read: low standards

And honestly, what is the actual issue with Coca-Cola? What was I supposed to drink as a kid, grape juice?🤔

My dream is a McDonald's cinema. That fancy setup at Madison Square Garden with terrible food and lounge chairs just doesn't hit the spot for me. But if they let me grab a Mickey every single time? I'd be happily munching away while watching a movie. 🍿

bluecyclist64 said:And honestly, what is the actual issue with Coca-Cola? What was I supposed to drink as a kid, grape juice?🤔

So you spend all this time acting like you’re too good for the West and looking down your nose at how Americans live, only to turn around and admit you've been munching on their most iconic 20th-century symbol this whole time. Real smooth.

Look, I’ll be the first to admit it—I’ve definitely downed my fair share of those local sodas. And honestly? They weren't even close to being worse than Coke. Not even a little bit. 🤷

Patrick Martin said:So you spend all this time acting like you’re too good for the West and looking down your nose at how Americans live, only to turn around and admit you've been munching on their most iconic 20th-century symbol this whole time. Real smooth.

Look, I’ll be the first to admit it—I’ve definitely downed my fair share of those local sodas. And honestly? They weren't even close to being worse than Coke. Not even a little bit. 🤷

Oh, you poor, misguided soul...🤦

I am certainly not "criticizing" the West; I am simply being brutally honest about how much it sucks.

The reason is simple: I have nearly half a century of actual life experience under my belt now. When I was a kid, Coca-Cola actually tasted great. In other words, I was a sucker back then—which puts us at complete polar opposites on this issue.

Patrick, let’s be realistic here—you lack intellect, you lack education, and to put it bluntly, you are as dim-witted as they come.

That is why I still prefer Moe and Hassan, who sat through Bruce Lee movies with me, over someone like you or any other mindless American.

Coca-Cola... You really are something else...🤦

For the second time in a row, I’m stuck sitting right in front of people who just can't sit still. They won't stop kicking the back of my seat. 😠

Jacob Rogers2 said:For the second time in a row, I’m stuck sitting right in front of people who just can't sit still. They won't stop kicking the back of my seat. 😠

I don't deal with that. I just turn around and give them a piece of my mind. 🍿

Daniel Kelly57 said:I don't deal with that. I just turn around and give them a piece of my mind. 🍿

Plus, let's be real—words are heavy-duty weapons. 😁

@bluecyclist64 - seriously, if you drop another brain-dead post like that one, you're looking at an even heavier ban... maybe try being a little more careful with how you talk to people on here...

I used to be a total movie fanatic, seriously, hitting the theater at least once a week... I’d hit different showtimes too, usually catching those prime weekend slots, and nothing could ever pull me out of the zone once the movie started. I've honestly never had an experience so godawful that it made me want to get physical with someone, though if I did, I’d probably start by venting to the staff, and if they just sat there acting like they didn't hear me, then I'd take it straight to the Manager and the Board. But again, I'm telling you, I've never dealt with anything that triggered that kind of pure rage or frustration before. And honestly? I don't even see the big deal with people snacking during a film, to me, that's just part of the whole vibe. Maybe some people really need to move out of the mainstream, consumerist bubble and head over to those indie art houses where the crowd acts more like they're at a theater, because based on my massive amount of experience, I find it hard to believe the experience is actually that different for everyone... it's gotta just come down to individual sensitivities and how people are built.

rowdyotter12 said:Was there some kind of AMC theater sale or something?
Or did you just sneak in? 🤔

He probably just bought one ticket, then "went to the restroom" halfway through the movie and spent the rest of the time wandering the halls looking for empty seats... typical North American behavior... 👍
That’s basically all you need to know about the culture in America

Richard Wilson4 said:Lately, I’m seeing a ton of articles where everyone is just weeping about how much they miss old-school movie theaters.

Look, I remember back in the late 90s, theaters were basically going bankrupt while video rental stores were absolutely killing it.

AMC Theatres is basically a spaceship compared to those old places. It’s better, cleaner, and way more organized. I used to drive from Cleveland to Indianapolis to hit up those crusty old theaters, and honestly, AMC Theatres eats them all for breakfast.
And if you can't stand kids making noise, just go on a Monday or whenever the place is empty.
Or just stay away from animated comedies and superhero movies.😁

As for movie quality, that’s a totally different conversation that has nothing to do with the theaters or AMC Theatres. You get great stuff on cable TV now; honestly, modern series are better than most movies anyway.
Pay for it or play pirate—if you don't know how, some nephew or the neighbor's kid definitely does.

No offense intended, but people are getting exhausting with this nostalgia trip. Yeah, I loved VHS too, I have a mountain of them, but today everything fits on a single thumb drive.
I loved old gaming consoles, I loved those printed magazines we used to get.
So what? What's the point?

Sorry, but this whole thing feels bizarre and kind of petty to me.

What, is a movie experience supposed to be so intense that ladies need to wear evening gowns and men need to be in suits?

If someone's annoyed by people chewing, they should just watch the movie at home.

And this is coming from a guy who openly admits he’s ripping off the system. 🤣

People act all offended by popcorn, but then they don't mind paying full price for a ticket, instead choosing to sneak into theaters for free... 🤣

Olivia Roberts7 said:I’d say the safest bet is hitting those early matinees around 4 or 5, or maybe late screenings after 9 PM. That middle slot is usually just a swamp of garbage, especially if it’s some mainstream fluff—mostly comedies or those heavily marketed horror flicks that aren't actually scary enough to warrant a crowd.
I got lucky last time I went to one of those during high school; it was nothing but non-stop giggling, constant chatter, and people stretching out so far you practically have to dodge them🙄, not to mention screaming at certain scenes. It was a total disaster...
Then there’s the food situation, which is arguably the biggest headache. Honestly, I’ve never encountered anything truly offensive, but I’d like to believe the idea of someone bringing in a massive plate of greasy street food is just an urban legend.😲
Regardless, I’m all for banning people carrying large bags or similar gear. Who knows what they’re hiding in there, or how much they might terrorize us with collective burping... Besides, it’s easy enough to sneak some snacks or a soda into a bag without anyone noticing. And please, let's stick to normal flavors; nobody wants to sit in a packed theater smelling onion or leek chips.

There’s simply no excuse for people who can't behave in a theater. I’ve been going to the movies since I was a kid and I never acted like that. Even when I was stuck in a painfully boring movie, I stayed quiet and didn't bother anyone, whether I was alone or with a group. At this point, if you can't act right, just stay home and stream it. Some basic decorum is required. If people can't manage that, staff should step in, give them a warning, and if they persist, kick them out. Let's see how they behave next time.☕

I remember wearing a pizza cut [Does that count? 🤣] once, and I think maybe once I had a cheese pastry during a movie. But I ate it very quietly, if that even matters...🙂

Jokes aside, if the food isn't incredibly pungent or messy enough to give the janitorial staff a nightmare, I’ll eat it. Whether it’s fried chicken or whatever that woman mentioned bringing into the cinema earlier... I'm in.🤷

briskhound2 said:@bluecyclist64 - seriously, if you drop another brain-dead post like that one, you're looking at an even heavier ban... maybe try being a little more careful with how you talk to people on here...

And what about scrubbing this entire string of unprovoked insults? 🤔

Morgan Brown4 said:Man, I used to have that exact problem at home. 😁 One time, I accidentally turned on a movie while my mom and brother were hanging out in the living room. People just talking the whole time, making jokes about the movie... Yeah, ever since then, I make sure everyone clears out of the living room before I start a movie at home. 😁

Someone on this forum once mentioned being at a screening where a woman brought in chicken...

What even counts as a "normal flavor" to you? And why would onion or leek be such a huge deal?
Tbh, you sound just like the chaperone from my high school graduation trip who told us we couldn't eat sandwiches on the bus because "food smells might get into the vents and make someone throw up." 🤣

What was she supposed to say? Some professors used to tell us the same thing back in school, usually when people were making life miserable for everyone else on the bus. Let’s be real: there is such a thing as "normal smells," and the stench of someone's burp or onions isn't one of them. It’s enough to make you gag. I’ve stepped onto a city bus more times than I can count only to be hit by a wall of gas. Personally, I’ve never felt the urge to gorge myself on junk while riding the bus or sitting in a movie theater—maybe a few pretzels or some popcorn if I'm feeling wild. Honestly, if you can't hold off on eating that garbage for two hours, it's like you're fleeing a famine. Luckily, I haven't had much trouble at the cinema so far; I seem to pick the right movies to avoid those types.😁 What’s actually the goal here? Smothering an entire office, a bus, or a lecture hall with the stench of your lunch? Truly a visionary move.🤔 They should have dragged that woman out of the arena and had security escort her out immediately. She can finish eating whatever she brought in outside where nobody has to look at her. Honestly, some people are just exhausting.

neonsurfer4 said:I remember wearing a pizza cut [Does that count? 🤣] once, and I think maybe once I had a cheese pastry during a movie. But I ate it very quietly, if that even matters...🙂

Jokes aside, if the food isn't incredibly pungent or messy enough to give the janitorial staff a nightmare, I’ll eat it. Whether it’s fried chicken or whatever that woman mentioned bringing into the cinema earlier... I'm in.🤷

Everything listed here reeks, and that scent is going to linger in an enclosed space. Plus, trying to eat this stuff without making a mess is basically impossible. In a dark movie theater? Good luck finding anyone who can actually eat fried chicken or a hot pocket without dripping sauce everywhere.🤣 That’s exactly why you grab some popcorn or chips if you need a snack. They don't leave a stench, and cleaning up a few crumbs is easy—unlike dealing with greasy pizza or fried chicken spills. The movie runs about two hours; nobody is going to starve if they don't gorge themselves on everything in sight during that time...

You shell out good money for a ticket $12, only to be hit by a wall of stale popcorn smell before you even find your seat. You finally settle in, but the people around you are treating the theater like a food court, munching on greasy burgers and pizzas while you sit there enduring a marathon of local car dealership commercials. Then, just as the movie actually starts, the phones start glowing and ringing incessantly. Of course, some tall guy decides to sit right in your line of sight, and behind you, there’s a group that can’t seem to keep their feet still—constantly kicking your chair while providing a loud, unsolicited play-by-play of everything they find shocking or funny.

And you expect me to actually go to the movies?

😂

northerndriver said:He probably just bought one ticket, then "went to the restroom" halfway through the movie and spent the rest of the time wandering the halls looking for empty seats... typical North American behavior... 👍
That’s basically all you need to know about the culture in America

I didn't leave before the end, I left after.
And I wasn't wandering around; I was actually checking my phone to see which movies were starting within 20 minutes of the first two finishing up.
Besides, why blame AMC Theatres for not having staff stationed at every single auditorium entrance? They just have one person at the main multiplex entrance. It’s always seemed weird to me, and from what I hear, they do the same thing everywhere else (a buddy in the Czech Republic told me he used to sneak in like that all the time).
As for "culture," let me guess—you've never illegally downloaded a single movie via torrent, right? 🙂

northerndriver said:And this is coming from a guy who openly admits he’s ripping off the system. 🤣

People act all offended by popcorn, but then they don't mind paying full price for a ticket, instead choosing to sneak into theaters for free... 🤣

Where did I say it bothered me?
I'm just repeating stuff my mom used to tell me.
I don't usually eat at the theater, though occasionally I'll grab popcorn myself (and usually regret it), but other people don't bother me since I barely hear them.
On the flip side, the real nightmare is people who miss the start of a movie because they're getting snacks, or people who get up mid-movie to go grab more (I've been in screenings where people did that three or four times!).
And if I'm not mistaken, there's this whole anti-popcorn sentiment out there. Some film archive even brags about being the only cinema without popcorn (and they're lying). 🤔

Olivia Roberts7 said:What was she supposed to say? Some professors used to tell us the same thing back in school, usually when people were making life miserable for everyone else on the bus. Let’s be real: there is such a thing as "normal smells," and the stench of someone's burp or onions isn't one of them. It’s enough to make you gag. I’ve stepped onto a city bus more times than I can count only to be hit by a wall of gas. Personally, I’ve never felt the urge to gorge myself on junk while riding the bus or sitting in a movie theater—maybe a few pretzels or some popcorn if I'm feeling wild. Honestly, if you can't hold off on eating that garbage for two hours, it's like you're fleeing a famine. Luckily, I haven't had much trouble at the cinema so far; I seem to pick the right movies to avoid those types.😁 What’s actually the goal here? Smothering an entire office, a bus, or a lecture hall with the stench of your lunch? Truly a visionary move.🤔 They should have dragged that woman out of the arena and had security escort her out immediately. She can finish eating whatever she brought in outside where nobody has to look at her. Honestly, some people are just exhausting.

Everything listed here reeks, and that scent is going to linger in an enclosed space. Plus, trying to eat this stuff without making a mess is basically impossible. In a dark movie theater? Good luck finding anyone who can actually eat fried chicken or a hot pocket without dripping sauce everywhere.🤣 That’s exactly why you grab some popcorn or chips if you need a snack. They don't leave a stench, and cleaning up a few crumbs is easy—unlike dealing with greasy pizza or fried chicken spills. The movie runs about two hours; nobody is going to starve if they don't gorge themselves on everything in sight during that time...

There’s certain food that is genuinely hard to eat in the dark without a table and silverware without making a total mess, and I agree, bringing that into a theater isn't polite.
On the other hand, most of what you're saying feels like you're just being picky.
Onions and chicken don't "stink," they just have a scent. 😛 I’ve never understood this weird hatred for the smell of onions. Honestly, it's a hell of a lot better than cigarette smoke, cheap booze, or that natural bad breath you get when you skip brushing your teeth.
And it's funny how the same people who claim they can't eat onions "because how will you kiss anyone later" aren't bothered by kissing someone after five Bud Lights or a box of sugary cereal.
To me, the grease from popcorn or those nacho cheese sauces you seem fine with are way worse than any chicken, chips, or onions.