Addressing Movie Theater Etiquette: Insights + Tips
- Onni Creative
- Jul 23
- 6 min read
Imagine this: You walk into your local cinema, ready to see the film you’ve been waiting for months. You sit down in your plush, reclining seat, Diet Coke and popcorn in hand ready to escape your busy life for a cool 2 hours.
Pure bliss. The film begins. But wait—there's a group of people entering your row. You recline up–whoops wrong button–there we go. They go past. Wait—-one of them needs to run to the bathroom—-you hit the button to sit up and let them pass. Finally, you are able to recline again and enjoy your film. The title hits the screen —so exciting— but wait…is that person two rows in front of you…on TikTok? Sigh. You ignore it best you can, immersing yourself in the film. From the row behind you, one friend asks the other for a play-by-play of every single thing that has happened in between glances at her phone. Whatever. This is the movie you are SO excited to see. You decide to ignore it all and wrap yourself in the film, not even thinking twice about the group of teens who march into the theater about halfway through the film to sit down, giggle loudly to each other, then walk out 5 minutes later. By the end of the film, you are so excited to get to your car and scroll Letterboxd for one-liners. You get up to leave, already smiling to yourself… and you trip over a popcorn bucket someone has let on the ground. UGH!!
While expecting a perfect moviegoing experience every time might be unrealistic, this scenario highlights valid concerns about theater etiquette today. The cinema offers something unique– a place of respite and storytelling, free from distractions, that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. As the industry continues to evolve, it’s worth reevaluating movie theater etiquette and finding solutions that preserve this special experience while adapting to changing times.
According to a 2024 survey of over 1,100 American moviegoers, 78% approve of cinemas banning phone use during movies, and there’s overwhelming agreement that loud talking and spoiling plot points are equally unacceptable. Addressing these complaints is crucial for improving cinema attendance numbers and preserving a quality experience for all moviegoers. Below, we will break down some common complaints and offer easy tips you can implement in your cinema today.
Grievance #1: Noisy Talkers and Enthusiastic Singers
Many moviegoers seek the cinema as a quiet escape from daily distractions, expecting to immerse themselves in a new story without interruption. However, talking during films–and more recently, singing along to musical numbers–has become a persistent source of frustration for fellow audience members who simply want to hear the dialogue and soundtrack as intended.
Insight: Rather than dismissing these behaviors as purely inconsiderate, they may instead reflect a deeper desire for connection. Many people view cinema outings as social experiences where they can bond with loved ones or express their enthusiasm for a film alongside fellow fans. The issue isn’t the intent to connect, but rather the timing + location.
Solution: Embrace the role as a community gathering space by creating designated opportunities for social interaction. Pre-screening mixers themed around upcoming films allow moviegoers to discuss their excitement and connect with fellow fans before the movie begins. Post-screening discussion events provide outlets for immediate reactions and deeper conversations about the film.
For musical adaptations specifically, consider offering dedicated sing-along screenings alongside traditional quiet showings. This approach has proven to be successful with musical films such as Wicked and can easily extend to concert films and beloved, family-friendly re-releases. These special screenings give enthusiastic fans an appropriate setting to participate while preserving the traditional viewing experience for others.
Grievance #2: Trashed Auditoriums
Moviegoers often encounter auditoriums littered with spilled drinks, scattered popcorn, and abandoned food containers. Beyond creating an unpleasant environment for the next audience and presenting a potential hazard to those exiting, this mess places an enormous burden on cinema staff who must quickly turn over auditoriums between showings.
Insight: While it’s tempting to attribute this behavior to pure inconsideration, many moviegoers might simply not think about the impact of their actions. In the excitement of leaving after a film, people often forget about the snacks at their feet or assume cleaning is just part of the cinema’s service. The issue is often mindlessness rather than ill-intent.
Solution: Transform cleanup from an afterthought into an active part of the moviegoing experience. Implement incentive programs such as offering small discounts or a branded prize such as a sticker for patrons who return their cups and popcorn containers to designated collection bins. Create interactive elements such as voting polls where moviegoers “cast their ballot” by placing their trash in bins representing different options (favorite character, sequel preferences etc.) Consider partnering with local environmental organizations to establish recycling initiatives that give moviegoers’ waste a meaningful purpose. Most importantly, increase awareness by briefly acknowledging your hardworking staff in pre-film announcements or social media posts, helping connect cleanup efforts to real people who will benefit from a little more consideration.
Grievance #3: Late Entry
Nothing disrupts the opening of a film quite like late arrivals shuffling down aisles, checking seat numbers with phone flashlights, and squeezing past already-seated patrons. These interruptions can often occur during crucial opening scenes, forcing other moviegoers to miss dialogue or establishing plot points.
Insight: The rise of reserved seating and increasingly lengthy trailer packages has created a perfect storm for late arrivals. Many moviegoers now calculate their arrival time to skip the 15-20 minutes of previews, but miscalculations lead to disruptions during the actual film. This behavior often reflects poor communication about actual start times and a desire to maximize how their leisure time is spent.
Solution: Address this issue through better communication and engaging pre-show content. Clearly communicate both the advertised start time and the actual film start time in your listings and order confirmations. Transform the time before the show starts from dead time into valuable entertainment by offering film-specific trivia or interactive polls about favorite trailers or upcoming releases (such as keeping a running poll of favorite trailers shown this week or month!).
Grievance #4: Rowdy Behavior and Disruptive Fan Reactions
Enthusiastic audience members sometimes cross the line from enjoying a film to disrupting it for others. This includes excessive cheering, shouting at the screen, or treating the auditorium like a living room where loud commentary is welcome. While energy can enhance certain viewing experiences, it becomes problematic when it drowns out dialogue or prevents others from immersing themselves in the story.
Insight: The rise of meme culture and social media has fundamentally changed how some audiences interact with films. Studios now actively encourage fan-driven behavior and viral moments, recognizing their marketing power. However, this creates tension between devoted fans who want to participate in communal reactions and first-time viewers seeking a traditional cinematic experience.
Solution: To successfully balance enthusiastic fan culture with respectful viewing, offer special screenings for different audience types. Host fan screenings or interactive showings for repeat viewers who want to cheer, quote lines, and fully engage with the film. Market these using relevant cultural references (for example, naming a showing of A Minecraft Movie ("The Ultimate Chicken Jockey Experience”). This way, both types of moviegoing experiences are validated while ensuring everyone can enjoy their trip to the movies.
The cinema remains one of the most important communal spaces, providing a place where people can come together to share a range of emotions. As audience behaviors evolve and new generations bring different expectations to the moviegoing experience, the challenge isn’t to resist change but to channel it thoughtfully. The future of cinema depends not on enforcing rigid rules, but on fostering mutual respect and providing outlets for every type of moviegoer. When the right balance is struck, we can preserve the magic of the cinema while ensuring it remains relevant for generations to come.
Sources
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