The Rudest Things You Can Do At The Movie Theater

With the rise of streaming, many people opt to enjoy new movies from the comfort of home. But there’s still something magical about going to the movie theater, ordering some buttery popcorn and taking in a film as a shared experience with friends and strangers.

That’s why it’s also very important to keep etiquette and respect for your fellow moviegoers in mind when you do venture out to the cinema.

“Seeing a movie at the theater is a public activity, meaning other people’s experiences will be positively or negatively affected by your actions,” Mariah Grumet Humbert, the founder of Old Soul Etiquette, told HuffPost. “It’s important we have a strong awareness and care for others as it pertains to common courtesy at the movie theater.”

With that in mind, we asked Humbert and other etiquette experts to share some common rude behaviors at the movie theater ― as well as their advice for avoiding these faux pas.

“Arrive on time, preferably before the previews,” said Jodi R.R. Smith, the president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. “You want to be able to enter the theater and find your seats before the lights are completely dimmed.”

If you show up after the film has started, you inevitably distract your fellow moviegoers and force some to stand or shift.

“Arriving to a film late and disruptively making one’s way to a seat in the center of the aisle requires those who are already seated to accommodate you as your pass in front of them,” said etiquette expert and keynote speaker Thomas P. Farley, aka Mister Manners.

“Snack quietly!” Smith urged. “No one wants to hear you chomping on popcorn with your mouth open during a quiet scene or prying open a candy wrapper during a romantic exchange.”

If you decide to bring food from home or another establishment, choose something that isn’t disruptive.

Avoid “bringing in outside foods that have pungent aromas,” said etiquette coach Tami Claytor. “Whether you’re on a budget or just enjoy spicy hot wings during a movie, if you are going to smuggle in food, make sure it doesn’t have a strong odor. For example, fish would be a big no-no.”

“As movie-watchers increasingly opt to stream their movies at home, on the occasions when they do show up to a theater, it seems many forget they are in public and not in their own living rooms ― which leads to behavior such as taking a phone call or browsing their phone during the film,” Farley said.

Before the movie starts, put your phone on silent or “Do Not Disturb” mode.

“Turn it off ― that includes the ringer on your phone as well as the brightness of your internet-enabled watches,” Smith said. “If you are unable to make it through a movie without checking your mobile devices, excuse yourself to the lobby before checking any screens.”

“Take your popcorn and soda cups to the trash as you walk out the door,” said Diane Gottsman, the author of “Modern Etiquette for a Better Life” and founder of The Protocol School of Texas. “It’s common courtesy to think of others who are wanting to enjoy a relaxing outing.”

Be considerate of the theater staff and those who will be watching a movie in the same room after you.

“Forgetting to throw away your garbage makes the moviegoing experience terrible for the next person,” Claytor said. “After all, it’s hard to get comfortable if you are surrounded by filth.”

“Now movie theaters allow people to reserve seats in advance of their arrival,” Claytor said.

When you arrive, sit in your assigned seat, even if you see an empty one you’d prefer. Someone else might have reserved it at the last minute.

“It can be quite disruptive to others if you are switching seats during the movie because you are sitting in the incorrect chair or holding the seat by placing your belongings on someone else’s chair,” Claytor said.

To that end, she also advised staying put as much as possible. Try to avoid making frequent trips to the bathroom, if you can. If you cannot, consider booking an aisle seat rather than sitting in the middle of the row.

“Repeatedly stepping over others interrupts their viewing experience,” Claytor said.

Another rude behavior Farley advised against is “bringing small children to a movie that is not a movie intended for young audiences, leading them to grow bored and restless, disturbing other moviegoers.”

If you want to go to a movie rated above PG, that’s a good time to splurge for a babysitter. And even if you are at a movie geared toward children, don’t allow yours to run wild around the theater or otherwise disrupt the experience for everyone.

“Should a baby begin to cry during the movie, the caregiver should take the child out of the theater and into the public lobby for comforting,” Claytor said. “Allowing them to cry is not just rude to the other patrons but also unfair to the child.”

Clean up after yourself if you make a mess. For bigger spills that require cleaning supplies, you’ll need to talk to the staff.

“If you spill something on a seat, let the theater know,” said Nick Leighton, an etiquette expert and co-host of the “Were You Raised by Wolves?” podcast. “Don’t just let the next person discover your sticky mess on their clothing.”

“Unless it has been advertised as a sing-along, you will need to stay silent,” Smith said. “This includes shouting out lines, ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ excepted.”

Of course, it’s natural for audiences to have audible reactions to a movie at various points, but otherwise, just zip it.

“Although it’s dark, you are still in a public place and not invisible to fellow moviegoers,” Gottsman said. “Be considerate by not holding full-blown conversations with your friends during the movie.”

Perhaps the worst example of talking during a movie would be revealing a twist or otherwise spoiling the plot for those around you.

“Have you seen this movie before? Keep spoilers to yourself,” Leighton said. “Nobody wants you yelling ‘He’s already dead!’ at the beginning of ‘The Sixth Sense.’”

“Avoid kicking the seat in front of you,” Humbert said.

Keep your feet on the floor. If you need more space to spread out, consider splurging on a theater with reclining seats and lots of legroom. Claytor advised against putting your feet on the back of someone else’s chair.

“Being relaxed and comfortable is part of the moviegoing experience,” she said. “However, one must avoid the temptation to become overly comfortable. Every now and then, it’s nice to put your feet up and relax. However, that is not appropriate public behavior. Even if someone is not sitting in the seat, you don’t want the soles of your shoes in someone else’s personal space.”