Next time you catch a flick on the big screen, don't forget these expert-backed movie theater etiquette rules—or the jumbo popcorn!
12 Movie Theater Etiquette Rules Everyone Should Follow
Updated on Mar. 24, 2025
Arrive on time
Showing up on time is a common courtesy, whether you’re attending a dinner party or meeting a pal for coffee. Catching a show at a movie theater is no different. So exactly how early should you go to the movies? Luckily for people who are habitually late, most theater showtimes indicate when the commercials and trailers begin, up to 20 minutes before the actual feature film starts. This gives you plenty of time to arrive at the auditorium, find your seats and grab concessions without missing any of the movie—or annoying everyone by walking in after the lights go down.
“Arriving late disrupts the viewing experience for those who are already settled in,” says Swann. “It can be distracting and cause you to miss crucial parts of the film, negatively impacting everyone’s enjoyment.” If you’re going to a very popular film and you know it’s going to be full of people, show up about 20 minutes before showtime to find the best seat in the house (or locate the seat you’ve reserved) before the lights go down.
Share the armrest fairly
When an auditorium is full of patrons and you’re sharing an armrest with a complete stranger, it’s rude to declare ownership of both armrests and cup holders. But that doesn’t mean you have to go without for the entire movie. “Watch the body language of the guest next to you,” suggests Diane Gottsman, a national etiquette expert and founder of the Protocol School of Texas. “There is not a right or wrong way; you just don’t want to take over both sides.”
If someone is using the armrest, sharing will be tricky. But if your neighbor removes his or her arm for more than a few minutes, you can claim the armrest for yourself for as long as you’re comfortable.
Don’t hold up the snack line
Most theaters show several films that start at different times. So while you may have plenty of time to peruse the snack bar offerings, the person behind you may have 30 seconds or less. “Avoiding delays at the snack bar is important for smooth service,” Swann says. “Make your decision before reaching the counter to keep the line moving. Parents with small children often face delays, as kids hesitate when choosing, so being prepared helps everyone get served more efficiently.”
The good news is that most theaters typically serve the same items—soda, similar candies, hot dogs, popcorn and pretzels—so those make-ahead decisions aren’t too difficult. Another considerate gesture that helps save time: Have your card or cash ready to hand over.
Don’t save too many seats
One of the most stressful things about going to the movies on a busy Friday night is the prospect of saving a few seats for friends and family. While you are allowed to save a seat—whether that means tossing your coat over it, placing your pocketbook or popcorn bucket on it or simply telling other patrons that it belongs to someone else—it’s poor movie theater etiquette to save a whole row in a good spot.
“Avoid saving a row for people who may or may not show up, or don’t have the courtesy to get there on time. Those who are prompt should be rewarded,” Gottsman says. “When it gets close to starting time and your friends have not arrived, let the seats go for people who are waiting to sit down. Common sense says you don’t want to take all the choice seats for people who aren’t there to sit in them. If you have a family of five and two or three are in the lobby, save the seats for a few minutes.”
So how can you ensure an ideal location for your entire crew? “To make sure you get a good seat at a popular show, you will have to get there in enough time to pick a prime spot,” says Gottsman. Luckily, many theaters allow you to reserve seats ahead of time, so if your chronically late pals want to sit next to you, they can purchase those specific seats when buying a ticket earlier in the day.
Be courteous if you’re tall
If you’re tall, it’s important to be sensitive to the smaller folks around you. “Always consider who you will be potentially blocking,” says Gottsman. “If you are unusually tall, like my [6-foot-9-inch] son-in-law, you can’t sit front-and-center and expect for someone to stretch their head around you for the entire show. Take a seat strategically; depending on the layout of the theater, a balcony may be a good choice. Or a seat at the end of the aisle is another good option so you can stretch your legs when no one is walking by.”
Silence your phone
You’d think that, by now, everyone would know that it’s rude to use their phone during a film. But movie theater chatterboxes still exist. If you’re guilty of this etiquette mistake, now’s the time to change your ways. It’s disruptive and rude to everyone sitting next to or behind you. “Best to keep phones completely out of sight because even when they are on silent, the light can be distracting,” says Gottsman. “There are circumstances where people will have to have their phone nearby and on vibrate, but a parent should check on the screen to see if the babysitter called and then leave the movie to make the call back.”
While we’re on the topic of disruptions, we’ll remind you to silence your voice too! It’s just as rude to talk to your seatmates during a film as it is to talk on the phone.
Be mindful when eating snacks
“If you must snack during a performance, take extra care not to let the whole theater know you are eating,” says etiquette expert Laura Windsor, author of Modern British Manners. “Nobody wants to hear you munching, crunching, chewing your food, crinkling your way through a bag of crisps, sucking the last dregs of your soda from a straw or shaking the ice in your drink.”
Also avoid gum, since your chewing will be a constant second soundtrack along with the movie’s. If you do pop a piece in your mouth, make sure to chew with your mouth closed, and certainly don’t blow bubbles. When it’s time to dispose of the gum, “never stick it under a seat or seat rest,” adds Windsor. “Instead, wrap it in paper, and dispose of it in a trash can when you get the chance.”
Don’t tangle with disruptive neighbors
Sadly, people often flaunt the etiquette rules by chatting with friends or texting during a movie. You can either ignore the problem, report it or move seats. “Contact the management and let them handle it. Change seats if possible, or talk to the manager about getting your tickets refunded and go to another show,” Gottsman suggests. “It’s inconvenient, but sometimes your options are limited, and you don’t want to put yourself in an unsafe or terribly awkward position.”
OK, but what if you’re really, really, really annoyed by the loud talker behind you giving running commentary on the film? Gottsman’s advice: Let it go. “Ask yourself if you really want to get involved,” she says. “Chances are, the person who is rudely talking or texting is not very sensitive and he/she may not respond to you with courtesy. You may or may not want to incite an argument.”
Make your bathroom trip as discreet as possible
In an ideal world, you’d hit the restroom before the feature film begins and last until the credits roll. But in a world of three-hour movies, that’s not always possible. If you suspect you’ll need to make a mid-movie bathroom trip, choose a seat on the aisle so you won’t disrupt other moviegoers. Duck down as you leave the theater so you don’t block anyone’s view, and quickly exit and re-enter the theater.
“When you have to go, you have to go! But just like we tell our children, it’s always best to go the restroom before you sit in the middle of a crowded aisle,” says Gottsman. She also recommends facing the person you are crossing over, rather than giving them your backside.
Here’s a trick for those with tiny bladders: The smartphone app RunPee will tell you the best time to take a bathroom break during a movie, so you won’t miss any pivotal scenes. Just be sure to check the app long before the movie starts—no using cell phones in the theater!
Don’t bring your baby
Who doesn’t love babies? In a movie theater, almost everybody! Bringing a baby to a movie is rude to the audience and your child. Remember that a startled baby is a squalling baby; given how loud theaters are these days, it’s safe to assume something will startle your little one. You can protect your offspring and better enjoy the film by hiring a babysitter. (After all, if you’re attending to a baby every five minutes, you’re not going to get much from the movie.) “If you do bring a baby, check if the theater has a crying room where you can take the baby if needed,” advises Swann.
Pick up your garbage
It may be easy to leave your empty popcorn containers on the floor or under your seat, but it’s also majorly disrespectful. Theaters are not giant trash cans that happen to show films. “The movie theater is a public place, and similar to how you would behave in other public spaces, you wouldn’t toss a piece of trash on the floor in a bank lobby or at a wedding or church service,” says Gottsman.
Be sure to throw away any trash, such as popcorn buckets, empty soda cups and candy wrappers, on your way out of the auditorium. Here’s something movie theater employees might not tell you: Although there are clean-up crews who come in after every movie to tidy up, they have limited time to get the theater ready for the next showing. “And if you spill something slick or sticky on the floor that could potentially trip another person, it’s polite to let the manager know so they can make sure and clean it between shows,” adds Gottsman.
Don’t chat about the movie in the lobby
When a good movie’s over, you’ll likely find yourself caught up in the excitement as you head back through the lobby. Fresh off the thrill, you might turn to your date and ask, “Can you believe the dad was the thief?” That’s a rude conversation habit, and many moviegoers are guilty of it.
Remember, there will be people walking in who are headed to the very same movie—or who plan to see it soon. It’s good movie theater etiquette to keep any spoilers and details about the plot to yourself. “Be mindful of the people who are there to watch the show,” says Gottsman, “and you don’t want to give a critical part or the ending away. Keep your volume down.”
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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of etiquette stories that help readers navigate communication in a changing world. We regularly cover topics such as the best messages to send for any occasion, polite habits that aren’t as polite as they seem, email and texting etiquette, business etiquette, tipping etiquette, travel etiquette and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on movie theater etiquette, Laura Windsor, a U.K.-based etiquette expert who was trained by a member of Queen Elizabeth II’s household and now advises international royals, celebrities and regular people, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Elaine Swann, etiquette expert, founder of the Swann School of Protocol and author of Let Crazy Be Crazy; email interview, September 2024
- Diane Gottsman, etiquette expert, owner of the Protocol School of Texas and author of Modern Etiquette for a Better Life; email interview, September 2024
- Laura Windsor, etiquette expert and author of Modern British Manners; email interview, March 18, 2025
