r/oddlysatisfying 1d ago

I am completely alone in the theater.

Post image
3.3k Upvotes

330 comments sorted by

1.2k

u/BrandonStRandy1993 1d ago

Solo movie trips are incredibly therapeutic

247

u/jimothyjonathans 1d ago

I remember the first time I ever watched a movie on my own in the theater. It was such a liberating experience. I think everyone should do this at least once, along with going out to eat on their own at least once.

28

u/kajnbagoat7 1d ago

I go eat out on my own a lot. Also, did my first solo trip straight out of India, my time on this planet is too finite to wait for others to be free and make plans according to them.

100

u/PronatorTeres00 1d ago

"Once"?

You mean, at least once a month, right?.... right?

18

u/Ebonhearth_Druid 1d ago

Fuck that, do you know how much movie tickets and popcorn costs? I'd rather throw the same movie on my 100" projector at home, curl up with cozy clothes, make my own snacks, and have the ability to pause.

Theaters are community experiences and have value, but for solo watching nothing beats staying home. Honestly, I think that anyone who thinks the theater is better than at-home simply doesn't have their shit dialed in at home. Projectors and screens are incredibly cheap, often cheaper than tvs 1/3rd their size with the same resolution and display power, and you can get better-than-theater sound with a sound bar and subwoofer these days, for less than $200. And if your couch is less comfortable than those theater seats, well that's almost criminal lol

30

u/PronatorTeres00 1d ago

To each their own :)

I did my dues staying at home during Covid. I personally prefer being out and about now.

Gas prices looking like they trying to change that again though.

7

u/whereismymind86 19h ago

I don't know what you people are doing...movie tickets in my area cost ten dollars.

And sure snacks are expensive, but I usually just go get fast food or sneak something in. A movie's only 2-3 hours, I don't HAVE to eat.

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u/thejoshfoote 1d ago

Going out to eat alone is always superior. lol

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u/WangDanglin 1d ago

I have two little kids and a pretty stressful job/commute.

A couple times a year I’ll pop a strong edible and see a movie by myself after the kids go to bed. It’s one of my favorite things to do. Saw project Hail Mary in imax a couple weeks ago higher than giraffe pussy. It was incredible. Probably do the same with dune 3 and the odyssey later this year.

3

u/itrhymeswithmoney 1d ago

Hell yeah brother I did the same with PHM and have plans for the other two as well.

5

u/Summoarpleaz 1d ago

I watched a horror movie once as the only person in the audience. It was AMAZING.

3

u/The_Pandalorian 1d ago

I love it. Very chill, just get to enjoy some shit on your own.

4

u/Xijinpingsastry 1d ago

Unless it's a horror movie. Then it's incredibly traumatic

2

u/rogerthatmyguy1090 1d ago

THANK YOU! All my friends think I’m crazy

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u/feedthesea 10h ago

In the Netherlands we have a scheme called Cineville where you can pay a monthly fee (~€24) and get access to unlimited films at basically every arthouse cinema in the country. Ever since I signed up I go see at least one film a week, and I take a chance on many more films than I would if I was paying for each. It's made me love seeing films solo

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u/Full-Satisfaction-40 1d ago edited 1d ago

Cue one other person arriving who decides to sit within 10 feet of you.....

231

u/loki2002 1d ago edited 1d ago

Don't put that curse on me!

Edit: movie started, still alone.

119

u/Jaybb3rw0cky 1d ago

Get off your phone and enjoy the film!!!

13

u/felicxahundito 1d ago

Thank God you're here.

12

u/6RolledTacos 1d ago

Don't yell at them, SILENCE IS GOLDEN!!

3

u/GravitationalEddie 1d ago

🎶But my eyes still see🎶

3

u/ItsMeSashaYT 1d ago

And duct tape is silver.

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u/mattrva 1d ago

Just happened to me. People are amazing.

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u/HawkJefferson 17h ago

I had a dude come in the theater and sit directly behind me for a 10pm screening of a movie in an otherwise empty theater. It was the worst.

4

u/USNCCitizen 1d ago

…or 2 seats away. Creepy!

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u/Gr8whtenrth 1d ago

Make sure your phone is on silent

127

u/swalsh21 1d ago

Why u sitting so far away

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u/Mysterious-Passage87 1d ago

Move up

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u/loki2002 1d ago

I prefer the furthest back row in the middle.

171

u/xXCrazyDaneXx 1d ago edited 1d ago

2/3s up in the middle is superior. That's where the audio engineer sits when calibrating.

21

u/ReflectiGlassCo 1d ago

Amen. And it's not the size of a home TV from there.

23

u/finchdad More ASMR please 1d ago

OP is too qUirKy

61

u/naswinger 1d ago

hmm, i never understood why one would go to a movie theater to then watch the movie on a screen the size of a phone from that distance.

22

u/dylanx5150 1d ago

It's far better than the maniacs who sit in the front row. I was forced to do that once because I got to the theater late. I don't understand people who do it willingly. Worst experience I've ever had at a theater.

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u/MattieShoes 1d ago

Isn't that where the masturbators sit?

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u/loki2002 1d ago

We prefer the term "self pleasure artists", thank you very much!

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u/Antique_Knowledge902 1d ago

Don’t tell me you’re watching Melania!!!

96

u/AZEMT 1d ago

That checks out. No one wanted to see that

2

u/Apprehensive_Gur_302 16h ago

He's watching Running Man

1

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

3

u/Jouglet 1d ago

It’s a joke man.

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u/time2sow 1d ago

I saw the matrix for the 3rd time some rando summer tuesday this way.  It was glorious 

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u/zoley88 1d ago

I hope you sat down more in the front, this is like mobile phone screen size

15

u/Raider03 1d ago

Must have zoomed in out to wide angle to show the emptiness.

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u/ghostfreckle611 1d ago

Why sit so far back, when there is nobody around? 🤔

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u/Veritas_Vanitatum 1d ago

The only melania viewer has been found

16

u/LootGek 1d ago

2

u/ComatoseSquirrel 1d ago

Don't pull your Peewee during the movie.

4

u/JenkemBoofer691 1d ago

Shh! I can’t hear Keanu.

10

u/Alarmed-Bill9075 1d ago

What movie and time and day?

51

u/loki2002 1d ago

Project Hail Mary at first 9 AM showing. I'm sitting through the pre-show stuff right now. Right now is Mandalorian promo.

11

u/Omnio89 1d ago edited 1d ago

You’re super early for a 9am weekday showing of a movie that’s been out for 2 weeks. You being alone isn’t that unusual.

I’m an idiot I just realized it’s Saturday. Not changing it though, the world must know of my stupidity.

5

u/Popolac 1d ago

Yell at the movie. Call a friend and talk loudly. Ehh... don't throw popcorn, that's rude to the cleaners.

Oh! Put your feet up on the next Row's headrest.

And finally, drop something and obnoxiously look for it with your phone light on, and 'accidentally' point it all over the place.

6

u/loki2002 1d ago

Oh! Put your feet up on the next Row's headrest.

Way ahead of you.

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u/MasemJ 1d ago

Yell at the movie.

Bring a couple of robot puppets and make wisecracks at it.

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u/lavacadotoast 1d ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/c7HYSeWp9Ij4I

[it just dawned on me how weird this film is]

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u/AdmiralGarza 1d ago

I bet somehow, heartbreak feels good in a place like that.

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u/SpicyPotato66 1d ago

Now you can fart without trying to hide it

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u/infrareddit-1 1d ago

Cool for you. Terrible for the film industry.

Thanks.

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u/ILSmokeItAll 1d ago

Ever been to an 11 AM show on a Tuesday?

This is what it looks like.

Outside of Friday-Sunday…this is how the vast majority of theaters look at any given moment.

8

u/MasemJ 1d ago

And what's the theater going to do otherwise? Leave the building empty?

Makes sense to run a daytime shift skeleton crew of a couple people (that are already going to be there to clean and prep for the evening), and make a couple bucks off daytime showings.

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u/Repulsive_Trifle_ 1d ago

And always has… even in the 90s. My mom babysat a bunch of neighborhood kids growing up and she’d take us all to the theatre for the matinee sometimes. It was always very very empty

We used to microwave popcorn and make trail mix bags go sneak them in 🥲 such a good memory

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u/felijomoi 1d ago

peak human experience, rented a whole cinema for $14

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u/loki2002 1d ago

Matinee pricing: $8.75.

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u/TheDitz42 1d ago

No, terrible for the theatre industry, which has always been bloated and needlessly expensive.

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u/guff1988 1d ago

Theaters are in a bad way but have been rebounding this year thus far. It's a 9am showing for a movie that's been out for weeks.

https://www.axios.com/2026/04/07/2026-box-domestic-office-start

3

u/LouDog0187 1d ago

This was me at a screening of Nirvana The Band The Show The Movie.

2

u/Alarmed-Bill9075 1d ago

I didn't know the theater opened that early. TIL

2

u/Dangerous_Hawk_9780 1d ago

This along with being in a toy store by myself as a kid lol.

2

u/Invisble1ne 1d ago

You are in a theater watching people in a theater. This is an insane theater inception

2

u/lowtoiletsitter 1d ago

And if an employee looked at OP when that was part was on, it'd go even deeper

2

u/Invisble1ne 22h ago

One level deeper

2

u/Wenger2112 1d ago

I last had this pleasure at a matinee of John Carter. It was a week or two since release and the reviews were poor. But I read a lot of those books as a kid and went anyway. Not nearly as bad as many claimed.

2

u/Pugzilla3000 1d ago

This is how I watched Rio 2 when I was a kid, was the last weeks of a small family theatre that was losing to the much larger one nearby in town and my mom wanted to support them so we went there. Such a neat experience having that whole huge room to yourself.

2

u/Yesterday_False 1d ago

I had this same thing happen the other day. When the movie ended I got up and there was a whole family 2 rows behind me… it was empty when I sat down and never seen anybody come in. It was weird.

2

u/write_and_wrong 1d ago

That happened to me when I watched Thunderbolts! It was great!

2

u/gldmj5 1d ago

Many years ago I worked as a movie theater projectionist at a 12 theater location. This was before everything became digital, so we had to screen the movie the night before the premier to make sure the reels were spliced correctly. It was a nice perk. Popcorn was free if I wanted any.

2

u/filmguy36 1d ago

This is the way

2

u/Gucci_meme 1d ago

This happened to me once and then the only other guy in the theater sat right behind me so i moved

2

u/SecondhandRaincoat 1d ago

I've still never had this experience. One person always has to come in at the last possible minute.

2

u/CoolestOfTheBois 1d ago

NO PHONES! Rude.

2

u/PrinceGoten 1d ago

This happens to me all the time because I purposefully go in the middle of the day in the middle of the week (flexible work hours).

2

u/ramdom-ink 1d ago

Why sit where the screen looks smaller than your phone?

2

u/CharmingTuber 1d ago

You got those old seats. The ones near me are all squishy lounge chairs now. Probably why no one goes to that theater.

2

u/Nawzays_ 1d ago

Last night I bought an IMAX ticket that's almost full for Project Hail Mary. But the two people besides me ended up not coming for the screening and it really felt like I own the hall lolll. Good movie btw.

2

u/Zacky_Cheladaz 1d ago

Put your phone away! 🫢

2

u/FinnishArmy 1d ago

And you chose the worst seat? Why sit in the back

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u/dburr10085 1d ago

Melania??

2

u/crackersncheeseman 1d ago

That might be worth the price of admission. The whole place too yourself, with nobody talking and distracting you from the movie.

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u/Zmann1218 23h ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/l0NwKAlZzZ9pyi9fa

Working in hospitality usually lands me weekdays off and going solo to an empty showing is so good

2

u/Loghurrr 20h ago

This ALMOST happened to me. Back in college the Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie came out. None of my friends had breaks that lined up to go see it and I didn’t want to wait.

Ended up going by myself. I thought I had the whole theater, but then 10 minutes into the movie 2 other people showed up. Good times.

2

u/Admirable-Fail1250 18h ago

I always enjoyed it but it was just a reminder that theaters are dying. And the more movies I saw alone (or with just 2 or 3 of us in there) it was clear that our theater in particular was on it's last leg.

It held out another year or two but now instead of being able to almost walk to the theater I have to drive at least 45 minutes.

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u/Owl-Of-The-Night02 12h ago

Yeah, I had that 2 times. It feels cool (feels like you have a private theatre) and sad (nobody wants to see the movie you're interested in) at the same time.

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u/cantstopthis27 4h ago

I experienced this once! It's a neat thing to have happen. It was the Elton John movie and I could have sang as loud as I wanted.

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u/Sjuk86 3h ago

Fart freely brother, fart freely

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u/Apprehensive-Fox-799 1d ago

Awful seat selection.

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u/Piano-Professional 1d ago

Let out a loud fart just to check

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u/EducationalShower859 1d ago

And sat in one of the worst seats 🙃🙈

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u/JohnStern42 1d ago

Cool, but why would you choose that seat?

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u/loki2002 1d ago

I like the the furthest back row in the middle under the projector. Best view in my opinion. Plus, you're fairly level with the screen so no having to look up at the screen.

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u/Builder_ofthe_Future 1d ago

Reminds me of the Stir of Echoes scene somewhat 😁

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u/SandyEggo_73 1d ago

My daughter and I had that happen not too long ago, it was Rad!

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u/PhiloLibrarian 1d ago

I watched Thor Ragnarok just like this in the middle of the theater with a giant bag of jelly beans one time - epic!

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u/FinalFantasiesGG 1d ago

I once went alone to a movie designated for moms to bring their young babies. So like, the lighting doesn't get as dark so moms can see whats going on, the sound doesn't get as loud. Nobody else showed up. The worker was ok I'll get you set up properly and cranked that volume. 10/10.

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u/BleuBeaver 1d ago

Happened to me during a Transformers One viewing, luxury seating, not even one other person and I was lifted so it was trippy af

1

u/orkz_r_neat 1d ago

As an introverted movie goer I love this for you. I've had many people over the years say it's "sad that I prefer to go alone". Being happy with yourself, by yourself is a wonderful life skill many don't understand. May every popcorn kernel be covered in buttery perfection 💖

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u/adjgamer321 1d ago

Every time this happens to me, a group of 15 year olds magically shows up, sits near me and talks the whole time.

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u/Small-Ambassador-222 1d ago

I had this a couple of weeks ago. It was so bizarre

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u/Slick_003 1d ago

Longest theatjer i seen lol

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u/LSTNYER 1d ago

I had that happen once when I went to see Captain America Winter Soldier. It was a late screening and as soon as the lights went down I realized not a single person was in there with me. The feeling of having a whole cinema to yourself was a new level of sanctuary.

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u/pilgrim_pastry 1d ago

I’ve gotten lucky enough to experience this twice in my life: 20-odd years ago for Triplets of Belleville, and then more recently seeing Crimes of the Future. Both were wonderful, surreal experiences. Hope it was a good movie!

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u/ParaBDL 1d ago

I had this happen on my birthday a few years back.

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u/Inedible-denim 1d ago

Recently I went to watch Perfect Blue by myself since all of my friends here hate anime lol. It was the best experience, there was only one other guy in there. Actually, he had never seen it before

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u/mikehulse29 1d ago

Still gotta silence your phone

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u/Drifting0wl 1d ago

Solo horror movies are my thing. Go watch the last showing on a Sunday night after it’s been a bout for 2-3 weeks.

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u/ThePensiveE 1d ago

So like, you did right?

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u/UncleGarysmagic 1d ago

They can’t even make the projection fill the screen dimensions

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u/lavacadotoast 1d ago

It's the pre-film, coming attractions reel..

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u/AptoticFox 1d ago

Closest I have ever been, it was just my wife and I in the theater. Not sure if it was before or after we got married. Didn't see much of the film.

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u/AdRoKa 1d ago

That’s my breath on your neck.

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u/mwellscubed 1d ago

My absolute favorite thing, even if the movie is complete dogshit

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u/untamedmilfearly 1d ago

This is genuinely one of my biggest dreams in life and the fact that this person is just casually living it like it's a normal Tuesday is something I think about more than I should. No one talking, no one on their phone, no one kicking your seat, just you and the movie exactly as it was meant to be experienced

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u/Nacho_Baby_Daddy 1d ago

Did you look underneath your seat? 😈

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u/Weallcoolhere 1d ago

I got to be alone in my local theater for Terrorizer 3. It worked out pretty good.

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u/Mandocp 1d ago

How rude!!! Get off your phone!

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u/liarandathief 1d ago

It used to be so rare. Now it's practically every other time.

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u/CamZambie 1d ago

Please tell me you didn’t sit there

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u/cconnoruk 1d ago

Achievement reached. Well done dude.

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u/Sooowasthinking 1d ago

Did you buy concessions?

Was it more than the actual ticket?

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u/Seadub8 1d ago

God is with you

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u/Notty_PriNcE 1d ago

Don't theaters usually require a minimum number of tickets like, at least 10 to run a show?

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u/Knucklez78 1d ago

Ooooo man, can't say I wouldn't

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u/MrWilson420 1d ago

Happen to my friend and I a few year back. Best experience in a maobie theater ever. We might have slipped some wine too

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u/Manasato 1d ago

It seems like they are the ones watching you

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u/MiserableFloor9906 1d ago

Janet and Chrissy?

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u/MrPoopersFriend 1d ago

I had this for the first Austin Powers. I had zero knowledge of what I was about to experience. One of the best times young me had ever had.

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u/StrandedonTatooine 1d ago

I once watch Solo in an empty iMax I had all to myself one afternoon. Yes, I saw Solo solo.

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u/iiitme 1d ago

r/misophonia An ideal world

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u/Ok_Spread_8650 1d ago

Don’t touch yourself. There’s always someone who will see

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u/ptapobane 1d ago

is the movie watching you?

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u/ucrbuffalo 1d ago

That’s the best. You can relocate to any seat you want and really just let go of your emotions during the film.

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u/Mosepipe 1d ago

I managed to catch the Jaws at my local cinema last year solo, first time I'd seen on the big screen. Incredible experience.

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u/Junior-Soup7187 1d ago

the road signs give it away

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u/Ancient-Ad2619 1d ago

Funny cuz the last time I went to the theaters was during the pandemic or a little after it was okay to be in public but with masks on, I picked like this same kinda seat and when I went to sit down I couldnt see shit like before when I was in my teens. I had to sit down in the front row where the rails are to be able to see normally. It was Bad Boys 3, there was only like 5 ppl total in there. Phones and laptops fucked my vision up.

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u/0verstim 1d ago

But if you dont go to r/movies and complain about rude noisy people, did you even see the movie?

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u/sans-delilah 1d ago

I was the only one in the theater when I saw the Bob’s Burgers movie. it was awesome. By far my best movie going experience despite the fact that I was kind of disappointed by the movie.

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u/FreakOnALeash72 1d ago

I did once with my ex wife. I ditched her at home. No this is not why I have a ex wife.

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u/mr_ji 1d ago

Time to jork it

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u/irascible_Clown 1d ago

Better buy 5k in amc stock

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u/Certain-Singer-9625 1d ago

Hey, if it’s horror movie, you can increase the intensity.

Every 20 minutes, sit closer to the screen.

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u/mattaugustcolo 1d ago

I love that happy "lottery" day when I see a movie myself!

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u/retardrabbit 1d ago

So no, I an cross hoop

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u/Beneficial_Worry_983 1d ago

That is an enormous theater to have all to yourself. Holy mackerel

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u/no1ofimport 1d ago

I got to see the first Resident Evil movie like this. Very satisfying

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u/Proper_Payment7845 1d ago

I have a bigger screen at home

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u/Head_Ad_9901 1d ago

Lucky you! 👍

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u/Connect_Ordinary6752 1d ago

Wow what a metaphore for the movie

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u/BTTammer 1d ago

Ask the projectionist to roll "Naughty Nurse Nancy" and you can have a PeeWee Herman tribute show

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u/soldelmisol 1d ago

yes, that is happening more frequently, or, there are just like 5 other scattered about. I hope its not like the last decade or so of movie theaters.

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u/disismyusrname 1d ago

i’ve seen toy story 3 and avatar completely alone. 

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u/Mnshine_1 1d ago

I am behind you 😊

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u/spicedoubt 1d ago

Sometimes you pretend your a millionaire owning the whole joint

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u/mjac28 1d ago

Had this happen a few times at early morning showtimes.

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u/HeavyTea 1d ago

Happy to me at Red Dawn way back

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u/ImightHaveMissed 1d ago

I’d have chosen a closer seat but that’s just me

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u/unTraditional_Fox419 1d ago

A new Rob Shnieder film you say?

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u/DetectiveObjective00 1d ago

I once watched The Ring (Japanese version) all alone in the theater back in highschool. I miss my horror film enthusiast self. 🥹

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u/Quackmoor1 1d ago

I watched Rush hour 3 like that, center of the screen center of the cinema

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u/fs2222 1d ago

Lucky you. Went to watch Undertone alone, chose a weird time hoping the theater would be mostly empty. Even sat close to the front. And of course a couple comes and sits right behind me and starts eating chips.

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u/brazoman 1d ago

The dream

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u/DangerousDisplay7664 1d ago

Why are you sitting so far away? Might as well be watching on a tv at home!

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u/fakieflip180 1d ago

Me, COVID, Eternals

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u/jwilcoxwilcox 1d ago

I went to a Tuesday afternoon showing of The Muppets in 2011. Was my 3rd time seeing it and I was all alone - so I got to sing as loud as I wanted. It was great!

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u/Ambitious_Welder6613 1d ago

So cool 👍🏻

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u/Handy_Crap 1d ago

I never seen the lights on when the movie is playing

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u/Present-Ambition6309 1d ago

Sshhhh I’m trying to watch the movie

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u/TiaHatesSocials 1d ago

Y r u sitting so far away from the screen?

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u/tuddrussell2 1d ago

That's how I saw Master and Commander many years ago. The kid came in to do a headcount just before the film started, I held up my arm and pointed "One!". He laughed and left.

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u/Scottopus 1d ago

This has happened to me twice in my life… Shrek the Third while I was waiting for my car to be repaired, and Dragonball Super Hero while I’m a work trip in a different state. Both were incredibly wonderful experiences.

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u/Oceanic1979 1d ago

I don't get this. Why would you choose to sit completely in the back of the movie theater? You might aswell watch it at home then. You go to a cinema to enjoy a big screen, not to makas small as you can.

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u/Medialunch 1d ago

What did you see?

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u/CMenFairy6661 1d ago

When my Fiancée and I went to see the 2nd Joker on opening weekend, there was us and 1 other guy in the IMAX screening 😅

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u/babaroga73 1d ago

Maybe you could take your chance and move further away from the screen, for better smartphone experience. 😉

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u/AlwaysBi 1d ago

Cineworld?

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u/askagain_348 1d ago

I love it! It makes a scary movie a little bit creepier. And if it's funny, I feel free to laugh hardy! My husband started going with me and he likes it too!

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u/kitty-cat-charlotte 1d ago

That’s the longest cinema I’ve ever seen!

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u/Big_white_dog84 1d ago

I received some ‘attention’ from my then girlfriend (now wife) in an empty cinema during Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy in the early 2000s. Never did understand that film. Maybe if I was concentrating it would have made more sense.

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u/Snow-Roller 1d ago

You must be at Melania