Keep quiet, put down the phone: Bad behavior in blockbusters sparks theater-etiquette discussion

It’s been on heck of a season so far at the box office. One week after premiering in theaters, “Barbie” raked in $93 million while “Oppenheimer,” which released the same day, amassed $46.2 million, according to AP. Combined, the two movies have already made more than $1 billion internationally, a massive win for a movie industry that struggled to regain its footing post-pandemic.

The huge turnout drew diehard theatergoers and casual fans alike. For some, the blockbuster weekend may have been one of the first trips they’ve taken to the cinema in a good long while. While the hubbub has been a great thing for the movie studios and theaters, the crowds have not been ideal for some; namely, the movie-goers themselves.

As the hype around “Barbenheimer” rolls into its third week, conversations online have shifted towards the experience of the average audience member. Users on X, formerly known as Twitter, specifically have taken to discussing theater etiquette – or a lack thereof – and how the people around them impacted their overall movie enjoyment.

A viral post by NBC journalist Kat Tenbarge sparked one of the debates, garnering nearly 8,000 shares and over 73,000 likes. In it, she addresses the use of cellphones during a movie showing, pointing out that the practice seems to be getting more popular due to what she believes is widespread internet addiction.

The posts, along with subsequent ones on the same topic, prompted thousands to pitch in with their opinions and stories of other move theater faux pas they’ve witnessed.

In one popular response, user @offbeatorbit said: “I literally turn my phone all the way off whenever I'm at a movie theater bc the idea of my phone making any noise in the audience makes me wanna die... so the idea that people are just ON THEIR PHONES BROWSING TIKTOK DURING A MOVIE IS INSANE TO ME WERE YOU RAISED IN A BARN?”

In another post, user @silvergelpen described their unpleasant experience, saying: “Saw Oppenheimer last night in one of the worst behaved crowds I've ever been in, multiple camera flashes throughout, people in front of us scrolling TikTok half way thru the film ... If you don't have the attention span for a 3 hour movie don't leave the house to attend one.”

Other posts described audience members taking calls on speakerphone, justifying talking loudly by saying “some parts of movies are boring,” scrolling on their phones with screens on the highest brightness and even taking photos of the screen. One viral video shows two women getting into an altercation after a Barbie showing, seemingly clashing over the use of electronics during the film.

While some hit back with counter arguments of ignoring others on their phones, accepting changing norms, checking devices in a discrete way and assertions that movies are getting “too long”, experts say that chatting or checking your phone during a showing is still a bad look.

Jacqueline Whitmore, etiquette expert and founder of The Protocol School of Long Beach, told USA TODAY that while times have changed, standards of good behavior haven’t.

Keep your phone quiet and your lips sealed

“[A major rule] that comes to mind is turn off all your electronics,” said Whitmore. “And I didn't say silent mode. I said turn it off, put it away, because the light from any electronic device is going to be extremely distracting.”

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She also said that, while there are some situations such as kids' movies that are full of squirming, chattery little ones, talking is generally a no-no while attending a movie.

“From an etiquette standpoint, talking can be very disruptive and distracting to those around you," she said. "So if you're going to speak, you know, keep it to a whisper or just don't talk at all.”

Whitmore said that movie theater etiquette, like all etiquette, is situational and can therefore change with the environment.

“You have to consider the context,” she said. So, what might work at a Disney movie might not work at, let's say, ‘Sound of Freedom’ or ‘Oppenheimer.’”

Be clean and on time

One rule that is universal, however, is arriving on time and being contentious of others. Whitmore says that movie-goers should be on time and give themselves ample time to park, grab their popcorn, and settle down before the move itself starts. Most movies have a buffer of about 15 to 20 minutes during which previews are playing, she said, but entering the theater and searching for your seat once the main feature has begun will likely get you a few grumbles and side eyes from others trying to enjoy the show.

Cleanliness is also a major consideration, said Whitmore. Popcorn and other theater treats are often messy and careless guests can create a mess that becomes a huge inconvenience for the employees tasked with preparing for the next showing.

“Pick up your trash the best you can and take it out with you don't leave it there or the staff to clean up. They've got enough to do as it is,” she said.

Other basics rules include not throwing food, putting your feet on another person’s seat, grabbing the backs of occupied seats while walking through the rows nor leaving personal items such as large handbags in the aisles.

But what if someone around you is breaking the unspoken rules and putting a damper on your experience? Well, the easiest solution might be to simply move seats, said Whitmore.

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Keep calm and customize your experience

“I would definitely not be combative to anyone or scold anyone's child or anything like that because that's not your responsibility and that only creates chaos,” she said. “So, if you feel like you could be more comfortable in another seat, then I would definitely suggest moving if there's availability.”

She said complaining to a manager should be reserved only for extreme scenarios where a guest is truly getting out of hand and engaging in behaviors such as persistent yelling and heavy drinking. Even then, it’s best not to take things into your own hands.

And, while you can’t control other people’s behaviors, Whitmore said you can put some thought into customizing your moving-going experience in a way the best suits you.

A Tuesday showing at noon is a better option when looking for a quitter experience versus, say, a Saturday at 7:30 p.m. It’s akin to going to a concert, Whitmore said, as there are different expectations of behavior depending on the one you go to. A rock concert is going to be different experience from the opera or the ballet.

“You can't control another person's behavior, but you can control your own experience,” she said. “Depending on the movie and the times, I think you can really pick and choose what works best for you."

Overall courtesy and mindfulness are the name of the game. Extend considerate behavior to those around you and hopefully you won’t end up the subject of someone’s angry social media post.