Imagine this: Your most anticipated movie of the year is here. You’ve had your tickets for weeks — maybe months — and the day has finally arrived. You get to the theater early. Your warm popcorn in one arm and a cold soda in the other. You cozy into your assigned seat.
All is right with the world.
And then, it’s not. It could be a rambunctious group of teens, a socially unaware elderly couple, or, movie gods forbid, a family full of kids.
Now your movie experience is in the hands of the strangers around you. They start talking to each other loudly.
Unfortunately, this scenario has been a reality for me one too many times. Going to the movies often feels like a gamble. If you choose the wrong place to sit and end up next to a noisy group, it could ruin the whole movie. It’s become a serious problem — so much so that it’s become a deterrent for many from even going in the first place.
Gen Zers and older folks alike seem to lack self awareness when conversing with their group. They speak at full volume during the movie, completely oblivious to everyone else around them.
Then there’s the babies and toddlers. Don’t get me wrong: I have a 3-year-old myself, whom I love to take to the movies. But there is a time and place for it.
To all parents: Please be mindful of when you go to the theater and what movies you’re taking kids to. Take them to family oriented movies in the morning. Those auditoriums are usually packed full of other families, and there’s not as high of an expectation to be quiet during the movie.
Recently there’s been a lot of discussion about audience participation in a movie theater, particularly with musicals. There’s been some debate over whether or not it should be acceptable to sing along during these screenings. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently chimed in with his opinion on the matter, saying, “You’ve paid your hard-earned money for a ticket, and you’ve gone into a musical, and you’re into it. Sing.”
I would understand this take if said about a concert or watching a movie musical in your own home — but this is in a public place where other people can hear you very clearly, and your singing could very well ruin someone else’s watching experience.
“Wicked” hit theaters Nov. 22 and boasts an already recognizable repertoire of songs. Some theaters have posted signage specifically asking viewers to not sing along during the screenings. Admittedly, when hearing some of these broadway hits, it is tempting to sing along. But I know that doing so would be a blatant disregard for those around me. We’re at the movies to hear Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande sing — not you. If you really want to belt out “Defying Gravity,” there will be an official sing-a-long release this Christmas.
I’ve devised a personal strategy to avoid the bad crowds. It’s not foolproof, but it’s a start:
Don’t go on Tuesdays. The Tuesday crowd is typically the most casual of movie fans. They want to go to the movies, but don’t really care enough to pay full price for a ticket. Beware these crowds. I get that forking over $12+ a ticket can get expensive. Just know that you’re taking more of a risk of obnoxious crowds by going on a Tuesday.
Go opening night. Typically the ones going opening night are the ones who also got their tickets early and care the most about it. It’s safe to assume that these people are like you and want to enjoy the movie while being quiet and attentive. For the most part, I’ve had success in seeing movies opening night, especially the later showings.
Don’t be afraid to shush. Odds are, if you’re annoyed, the people around you are also annoyed. If you are the one to shush, you’ll be a hero.
Talk to the manager. This is a drastic measure, I know. But it does work. Managers usually have no problem with going into auditoriums and cracking the whip on those who are being loud.
To all movie theater managers and employees: Don’t be afraid to kick people out. Enforce the no phone and talking policies.
To all movie theater goers: Please shut up and put away your phone.
And to other (quieter) movie theater goers: Don’t be afraid to shush people.
A movie theater experience can be a beautiful thing. It’s a chance to garner a sense of community and experience camaraderie with strangers who share a love of film. Let’s make movie theaters great again.
(Ian Scott) Ian Scott lives in Spanish Fork. He is a husband, a father and a movie lover.
Ian Scott lives in Spanish Fork. He is a husband, a father and a movie lover.
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