According to a 2006 Gallup lifestyle poll about movie-going habits, 36% of Americans said the high cost of movie tickets and concession stand food were the biggest drawbacks of going to the movies. A night at the cinema can indeed be quite an investment, and if the evening sours because of insufficient planning, the cost can be even greater.
Despite the high cost of moviegoing, there’s something special about sitting in a darkened theater with a date and letting romantic images flash across the screen. It’s possible to save money at the cinema by attending matinee performances and eating dinner afterward, and by joining movie theater clubs that award points for each ticket purchased (thus earning free food items and tickets after a certain amount of points are earned).
Here are more suggestions for ensuring a successful date night at the movies by planning in advance.
What to Watch on Date Night
Romantic comedies present the obvious choice for date night movie selections, but other options exist, of course. Action-adventures, suspenseful mysteries, and horror films (made even better by a romance woven throughout the story) often require lots of handholding and snuggling. Finding a genre that both people enjoy, however, remains the most important factor in selecting date movies.
In general, unless a relationship is well established, steer clear of R-rated movies with too much sex or violence when the relationship is new. Movies about death, abuse, or other sensitive subjects may inspire tears, emotional revelations, or long talks, but probably won’t do much to ignite romance. It’s important to pay attention to movie reviews, ratings, and subject matter when making choices for the big night out.
Where to Sit on Date Night
The same Gallup poll showed that 10 percent of moviegoers find noisy people, chattering children, and ringing cell phones to be the most unpleasant aspects of the cinematic experience. If this is a concern, then choosing seats near the front of the auditorium will solve this problem to some extent.
Whether it’s in the front, back, middle, or sides, moviegoers should choose seats that accommodate both people’s preferences. Sitting in front provides the most unobstructed view, but allows no privacy. Sitting near the back ensures privacy, but also means that lights from cell phones and other distractions might interfere with concentration.
Arrive early to get the best seats. Late arrivals at the cinema will not get their choice of seats, and sometimes won’t get seats at all.
What to Eat on Date Night
Family and friends probably won’t mind (too much) if you eat a hotdog with relish and extra onions at the cinema, but when you’re with a significant other, the movie may be a prelude to a romantic walk around the lake, a relaxing visit to the coffeehouse, or some other intimate adventure, so take this into consideration before ordering food.
Chocolate is the feel-good confection, considered to be an aphrodisiac by many. Enjoy in large quantities.
Bringing carrot and celery sticks from home in a little plastic bag is wrong on so many levels. It makes a bad impression on first dates; it screams “I’m on a diet” to everyone in the movie theater; and it distracts audience members with the crunching noises.
Dinner and a movie has long been a favorite date night. With a little advance planning, the next date night at the movies may be the best one yet.
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