Film Guides / Watching smarter
Cinema etiquette
The unwritten rules that make a screening great for everyone, from phones and talking to snacks, seats and kids, plus how to handle problems politely.
A cinema is a shared space. Hundreds of strangers sit in the dark together and agree, for two hours or so, to focus on the same story. Good etiquette is simply what keeps that agreement working. Most of it comes down to one idea: do not pull anyone else's attention away from the screen.
The golden rules
| Rule | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Silence your phone and put it away | A lit screen in a dark room is visible from many rows away |
| Do not talk during the film | Even whispers carry in a quiet scene |
| Arrive on time, or find your seat quietly | Late arrivals block the view and the light from the door distracts |
| Respect the seat you booked | Moving into someone else's reserved seat leads to awkward exchanges in the dark |
| Keep your feet off the seats in front | That seat belongs to someone else, now or later |
| Clean up after yourself | Staff have only minutes between shows |
Phones
Phones are the biggest complaint in cinemas today. Switch the phone to silent or airplane mode, lower the brightness, and put it away. If you must check a message, step outside. Recording any part of a film is not allowed in cinemas and is illegal in many countries, and staff may ask you to leave.
Talking
Laughing, gasping and cheering are part of the shared experience, especially at comedies, horror films and big opening nights. Running commentary is not. Save discussions for the walk out. If you are watching with children, quiet whispers to explain a moment are fine; just keep them brief.
Food and drink
- Choose quieter snacks for quiet films. Crinkly wrappers and crunchy food carry in tense scenes.
- Open packets during trailers or loud scenes.
- Strong-smelling hot food can be unwelcome in a crowded room, even where it is allowed.
- Follow the cinema's rules on outside food.
Seats and space
- Armrests: a common courtesy is that the middle seat in a row of three gets both armrests.
- Reclining seats: check behind you before reclining fully in rows without fixed recliners.
- Getting past people: face the screen side or the people you pass, say a quiet "excuse me," and move quickly.
- Hats and hair: remove tall hats and be aware of high hairstyles that block views.
Children at the cinema
Choose films suitable for your child's age, and consider dedicated family or relaxed screenings, where the lights are a little brighter, the sound is lower and some movement and noise are expected. If a child gets upset, step out until they settle.
Credits and special screenings
Many fans stay through the credits, partly out of respect for the hundreds of people who made the film and partly for scenes during or after the credits. Leave quietly if you do not stay. At festivals and premieres, applause at the end is common, and audiences may stay for a question-and-answer session; see Berlin and other festival guides.
Handling problems politely
If someone is disrupting the film, a quiet, polite request is often enough. If that does not work, or you do not feel comfortable approaching, tell a member of staff rather than escalating. If there is a technical problem, such as focus, sound or brightness, report it to staff straight away; the projection team usually cannot see it from the booth.
For the best experience with fewer distractions, choose a weekday or late-morning screening. Our seats and formats guide helps you choose the best seat too.
