Movie Protocol – 5 Pro Tips

I am glad my children are finally at an age when I can finally start to enjoy things with them…things I like to do. Call it selfish, I don’t care. I came to this realization when I made the suggestion to see Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol at the movie theater and my kids actually said yes.

That, for me, is a win. Not only did they want to see it, they actually enjoyed the movie as much as I did. I love Simon Pegg and I think his character “Benji” in the last mission impossible movie (MI3) and this one were hilarious.

Going to the movies is serious business for me. Yes, it is fun. However, if it is a movie premiere, for a big action movie, there is certain protocol that must be followed (–and I love it to no ends that my two kids understand this about me and are completely on board)…

#1- Plan to arrive an hour early if seeing the movie opening weekend.

This rule is of utmost consideration because big movies that open on a Friday are gonna be packed, and you have to get there early if you are particular about where you sit. Especially if the opening day is not competing with another big movie, and opening on a holiday weekend. People love to see movies on holiday weekends. For me, there is usually shite else to do, especially when I am trying to plan things for 5 people to do, one of them being the really hard to please husband and the other my irascible and verbally unpleasant step-son.   

However, if that movie is opening on a Wednesday or Thursday (what is called a soft-open) then it may just pay to see it those two days sooner if the schedule allows. It may even be cheaper if the movie theater charges more for weekend tickets and Wed & Thurs are still part of the weekday prices.

Also, fewer people are likely to make going to the movies that much sooner a priority and you will have fewer people to fight for tickets, and your preferred seats.

#2- Know the movie theater you are going to see the movie at and plan accordingly. 

Don’t go see a movie on opening night at an unknown location unless you are feeling adventurous and don’t care about the seating, the accommodations, or the concessions. If any of the aforementioned items matter to your movie going experience for that particular movie, then go somewhere your experience can be guaranteed to have desired results. 

Movie theaters may or may not start lines for seating before the theater is ready for seating. If they do, are they organized? Are they labeled? If they aren’t you’re going to have to ask someone who works there, other people standing in line are notoriously misinformed or too stupid to understand your question.

Know what you’re getting into. That being said, know if it’s easier to get the concessions in advance of going in the theater, or will standing in the line with food and drinks be annoying and would it just be easier to get them after finding the seats?

#3- Fresh popped popcorn trumps all other concessions.

I don’t care how fancy the concessions are at a movie theater, they will get my repeat business if they have fresh popped popcorn. Who the hell wants to eat stale, pre-popped popcorn dispensed from a giant plastic bag that has been reheated under a heat lamp? Not me, that’s who. Yuck to the max. I want my popcorn hot and I want it fresh…and depending on my mood I may even want it with lots and lots of fake butter.

#4- Comfy seats with a view

If I am seeing a movie opening weekend AND paying top dollar to see it in the evening, the movie theater better have stadium seating. I don’t want to have to struggle to see the screen around a sky high hairdo or hear my kids complain that the really tall person in front of them is blocking their view. 

I prefer the stacked ease and comfort of stadium seating and it doesn’t hurt when the seats recline slightly (trying to watch a movie, not take a nap), have ample room for my bottom, decent sized cup holders, and arm rests.

#5- If cost is an issue, see the first and cheapest showing

Sometimes living in the northeast can be a drag because everything is so expensive. Interestingly enough, there are ways for me to see movies often enough and not have to go bankrupt in the process, but it involves waking up early on the weekends.

The first showing at the local Cinemark is the cheapest and costs less than even the matinee for everybody. So if I want to see a movie opening weekend and the budget is tight, that may mean not sleeping in on a Saturday and hauling everyone out to see the 10 o’clock showing. So be it. I gotta do what I gotta do.

That’s how I do my movies. Other people like sporting events, some like the theater or going to concerts. For me, it’s the movies and movie theater experience. It is exciting and with some forethought can also be a really pleasant outing.