What's Normal? - Have you ever watched a movie in a theater by yourself? (1 Viewer)

[dkp993]

Countless times. Love going to the movies by myself. Wife and I have also gone to the movies together but went to different movies. Why force the other person to watch a movie they don’t want to see? Usually there are showings of what we each want to see at similar times. It’s glorious.

 

[JohnnyU]

I skipped school one day my senior year and went to see Dances With Wolves. By myself. I couldn't talk any of my friends to go with me.

That movie bored me to death. My arse was so sore after sitting there for what seemed an internity.

 

[WDIK2]

Only Twice, but both in the last 5 years or so. The first one I was out of town for work and looking for something to do. The other was after my son raved about Everything Everywhere All at Once. Didn't even ask anyone to go with me. I saw it again with my daughter a few weeks later when out visiting her.

 

[Keith R]

Not unusual for me to go to to the movies by myself, or to eat alone. Never went to a concert solo though.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I saw Batman Begins by myself and then took a lot of folks to go see it

Bowling for Columbine when i lived in Los Angeles, Laemmle, Royal in West L.A. .
I took several folks to go see it after I watched it

 

[bigbottom]

I can't go alone. I would feel like a loser.. Npt judging others, but I would feel depressed and my self esteem would tske a hit if I was alone. Same reason I wouldn't go to a concert alone. Not saying its right or normal, it's just me. Social anxiety always gets me ahead of things.

I have accepted the fact that I am a loser long ago. Going out to eat by myself, going to movies by myself, i have even gone on vacation by myself.

I am not depressed by the fact that I do not have enough friends.

By the way, we are in the same city - let me know if you ever want to grab a beer!

 

[sho nuff]

Not only was nobody with me…it was a daytime showing of IronMan 3 and I was the only person in the theatre. Strange and a bit creepy actually.

 

[gianmarco]

Never. Just like cruise control.

 

[belljr]

No, I'm not some weirdo......

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I answered before I read the first post. Didn't matter. I saw Dead Poets Society by myself, as well as a few others. During the pandemic, Mr R and I saw The Last Vermeer. We were all alone. Talk about social distancing, And Mr R used to go to the cinema alone in his small town before the cinema closed.

Went to a Neil Diamond concert by myself. Not sure about restaurants. I guess I just don't care that much.

 

[fruity pebbles]

Middle seat, last row.

 

[Don Quixote]

Answered the immediate question already, but I don’t mind the solo stuff in general. I’m on work sabbatical for the month. Spent a couple of weeks in Hawaii on vacation with wife and son, but wife had to go back to work.

But she let me head out of town for the week. Currently on a solo road trip doing some history stuff in Ohio. Went to the Prof Football HoF yesterday, Guardians game tonight (just bought a cheap straggler solo ticket in lower level); visited some sites of Presidents McKinley and Garfield, with plans to see some more presidential sites over the next few days. Lots of stuff that has been on my bucket list, as enjoy Presidential history and there is a lot around here.

Maybe the ball game will feel weird tonight solo, but otherwise enjoying the solo trip.

 

[TheAristocrat]

Many times but haven't gone recently. Back when I took attorneys to federal trials and wasn't presenting in court, I'd have afternoons to myself and might hit 2-3 movies a week. I'd technically be on-call so I could still bill my time (which generally got written off anyhow). Those were fun weeks.

 

[Moonlight]

I remember back in 1981 I went into a theatre and started watching "Time Bandits". I didn't like it so I got up and walked into another theatre and started watching a movie I had never heard of "Raiders of the Lost Ark". I liked that’ll one so I stayed

I have only walked out of two movies in my lifetime and Time Bandits was one of them. Good to know someone else had the same reaction. I often have heard TB mentioned as a really good movie elsewhere which puzzled me.

 

[Moonlight]

Only Twice, but both in the last 5 years or so. The first one I was out of town for work and looking for something to do. The other was after my son raved about Everything Everywhere All at Once. Didn't even ask anyone to go with me. I saw it again with my daughter a few weeks later when out visiting her.

Not only was I alone but there wasn’t another person in the theatre which made EEAO an even more sensory experience.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I remember back in 1981 I went into a theatre and started watching "Time Bandits". I didn't like it so I got up and walked into another theatre and started watching a movie I had never heard of "Raiders of the Lost Ark". I liked that’ll one so I stayed

I have only walked out of two movies in my lifetime and Time Bandits was one of them. Good to know someone else had the same reaction. I often have heard TB mentioned as a really good movie elsewhere which puzzled me.

I walked out of one movie. It was an Andy Hardy movie, the second of a double feature, that I went to by myself. Life is too short for that crap.

 

[3C's]

As I was leaving Oppenheimer ($6 cheap day) I made note of a movie I probably wouldn't go to by myself...Barbie.

 

[the moops]

Movies, restaurants, concerts, golfing

Smoke a J, enjoy my solitude

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I have only walked out of two movies in my lifetime and Time Bandits was one of them

I actually re-watched this recently on HBO. I’m not getting what was so offensive or rose to that level of terrible - where someone would walk out - but to each their own.
I mean it’s not a classic or a great movie but it’s entertaining/funny, clever/unique story and the visuals are very well done.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

As I was leaving Oppenheimer ($6 cheap day) I made note of a movie I probably wouldn't go to by myself...Barbie.

Yeah, I mean that would actually make me feel like a weirdo.

 

[the moops]

I can't go alone. I would feel like a loser.. Npt judging others, but I would feel depressed and my self esteem would tske a hit if I was alone. Same reason I wouldn't go to a concert alone. Not saying its right or normal, it's just me. Social anxiety always gets me ahead of things.

I have accepted the fact that I am a loser long ago. Going out to eat by myself, going to movies by myself, i have even gone on vacation by myself.

I am not depressed by the fact that I do not have enough friends.

By the way, we are in the same city - let me know if you ever want to grab a beer!

Or even better go see a movie together!

 

[Terminalxylem]

Not a social person, preferring to do many things alone. I used to travel for weeks by myself, typically on an extended ski vacation.

But I‘ve never seen a movie solo. Given the quality of contemporary cinema, and ability to see stuff at home, I probably never will.

 

[Courtjester]

My wife and I have had opposite days off sometimes prior to Covid and we each would go see movies without the other--especially ones that either one of us didn't want to see.

On an aside--the weirdest thing I have done alone (well, that is quite the softball there ) is I went to a WWE show by myself. My wife and kids thought it would be fun to buy me a seat, so they got me a 2nd row center prime seat in this huge arena. My wife drops me off like I am 10. I immediately go to the beer tent and grab two. When I get to my section and the usher is helping me find my place, I realize I am going to be sitting right in the middle of two groups of children. So I have to shuffle down to the middle, trying my best to not spill beer all over these kiddos. I sit down and the looks on the faces of the adults supervising them was priceless, like "who let this 235 pound drunk sit in the middle of our Make a Wish kids?" It was fun in a different kind of way in that, being a father, I spent a portion of the night engaging with these little kids regarding their favorite wrestlers and so forth.

 

[General Malaise]

I answered before I read the first post. Didn't matter. I saw Dead Poets Society by myself, as well as a few others. During the pandemic, Mr R and I saw The Last Vermeer. We were all alone. Talk about social distancing, And Mr R used to go to the cinema alone in his small town before the cinema closed.

Went to a Neil Diamond concert by myself. Not sure about restaurants. I guess I just don't care that much.

My first "real job" was an auditor for a large tractor company which meant I was on the road 3-5 days a week, not always in towns with much going on. I got quite used to dining alone, going to bars alone, being alone....2.5 years later I was relieved to get fired. I was lonely! And not any good at the job.

That gave me a pretty solid base to go it alone later in life. Been to a few concerts alone, dinners up at the bar with a book, etc. Love company too but more than content being alone.

 

[-OZ-]

Only once. We had sold our house, wife moved in with her parents shortly after I graduated law school. I moved into a hotel to study for the bar for a few weeks.

Superman returns. It was not a great movie.
These days I just drag my oldest to the few movies I see in the theater.

 

[-OZ-]

Countless times. Love going to the movies by myself. Wife and I have also gone to the movies together but went to different movies. Why force the other person to watch a movie they don’t want to see? Usually there are showings of what we each want to see at similar times. It’s glorious.

I can see that. My wife hasn’t been inside a theater since frozen 2. Before that was probably Toy Story 3. She refuses to watch movies unless it’s at home and she’ll fall asleep

 

[wlwiles]

Many, many times. I spent several years spending one night/week away from home traveling for work, and I would often use that night to watch movies that my wife wouldn't be interested in. Probably been to >100 movies alone easily.

When I first read the question I thought it meant "have you ever been the only person in a theater" meaning no other person in the room except you. That happened to me once, I saw Stealth (fighter pilot movie w/ Jessica Biel, Josh Lucas, Jamie Foxx) in a little theater in Chillicothe, OH on a weekday matinee showing. Kind of eerie being literally the only person in the whole house. Made me wonder if I hadn't come, would they have even run the projector at all?

 

[bigbottom]

I answered before I read the first post. Didn't matter. I saw Dead Poets Society by myself, as well as a few others. During the pandemic, Mr R and I saw The Last Vermeer. We were all alone. Talk about social distancing, And Mr R used to go to the cinema alone in his small town before the cinema closed.

Went to a Neil Diamond concert by myself. Not sure about restaurants. I guess I just don't care that much.

What did you think of the film? My boss was the director!

 

[Dr. Octopus]

When I first read the question I thought it meant "have you ever been the only person in a theater" meaning no other person in the room except you. That happened to me once

I would have said that poll would be crazy lopsided in favor of “no” but you’re at least the third person to say it’s happened to them so maybe it’s more common than I think. I’ve been in a few sparsely populated theaters - but never me, nor never just me and my wife/date.

 

[PIK95]

I can't go alone. I would feel like a loser.. Npt judging others, but I would feel depressed and my self esteem would tske a hit if I was alone. Same reason I wouldn't go to a concert alone. Not saying its right or normal, it's just me. Social anxiety always gets me ahead of things.

I have accepted the fact that I am a loser long ago. Going out to eat by myself, going to movies by myself, i have even gone on vacation by myself.

I am not depressed by the fact that I do not have enough friends.

By the way, we are in the same city - let me know if you ever want to grab a beer!

Or even better go see a movie together!

What city is that? In Montana?

 

[AAABatteries]

Middle seat, last row.

Trench coat? What kind of theatre are we talking about here?

 

[PIK95]

When I first read the question I thought it meant "have you ever been the only person in a theater" meaning no other person in the room except you. That happened to me once

I would have said that poll would be crazy lopsided in favor of “no” but you’re at least the third person to say it’s happened to them so maybe it’s more common than I think. I’ve been in a few sparsely populated theaters - but never me, nor never just me and my wife/date.

My wife and I have been alone in a theater.

 

[bigbottom]

During the height of the pandemic, my wife and I rented a whole theater for a movie and invited a bunch of friends of ours. It was like $100. That was fun. Obviously can’t do that any more.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

When I first read the question I thought it meant "have you ever been the only person in a theater" meaning no other person in the room except you. That happened to me once

I would have said that poll would be crazy lopsided in favor of “no” but you’re at least the third person to say it’s happened to them so maybe it’s more common than I think. I’ve been in a few sparsely populated theaters - but never me, nor never just me and my wife/date.

My wife and I have been alone in a theater.

So the poll could be closer than I think (couples should count as “only”).

 

[PIK95]

When I first read the question I thought it meant "have you ever been the only person in a theater" meaning no other person in the room except you. That happened to me once

I would have said that poll would be crazy lopsided in favor of “no” but you’re at least the third person to say it’s happened to them so maybe it’s more common than I think. I’ve been in a few sparsely populated theaters - but never me, nor never just me and my wife/date.

My wife and I have been alone in a theater.

So the poll could be closer than I think (couples should count as “only”).

It may have happened more than once. I am sure one time because I was like "the projector kid is gone, that's weird." He was probably ducked down baiting us to get down, lol.

We were young, and my wife was a 9.8 smoke show back then.

 

[Zow]

Don't remember the movie, but I recall shortly after moving out to Arizona for work (to a place where I didn't know a soul beforehand), going to see the movie by myself. It was kind of relaxing.

ETA: I think this is the only time I've gone to a movie by myself.

 

[the moops]

During the height of the pandemic, my wife and I rented a whole theater for a movie and invited a bunch of friends of ours. It was like $100. That was fun. Obviously can’t do that any more.

You most certainly can still do that

$99 + tax

Host a Private Theatre Rental at AMC

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www.amctheatres.com

 

[Drunken knight]

ummmmm........

what kind of movie theater?




don't ban me

 

[BlackCrowes]

The best way

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I answered before I read the first post. Didn't matter. I saw Dead Poets Society by myself, as well as a few others. During the pandemic, Mr R and I saw The Last Vermeer. We were all alone. Talk about social distancing, And Mr R used to go to the cinema alone in his small town before the cinema closed.

Went to a Neil Diamond concert by myself. Not sure about restaurants. I guess I just don't care that much.

What did you think of the film? My boss was the director!

I assume you mean The Last Vermeer. I picked it as the most promising selection so we could try out the new cinema near us. We liked the movie and the theater. Score!

 

[bigbottom]

During the height of the pandemic, my wife and I rented a whole theater for a movie and invited a bunch of friends of ours. It was like $100. That was fun. Obviously can’t do that any more.

You most certainly can still do that

$99 + tax

Host a Private Theatre Rental at AMC

Host a personal screening for one or make it a private party and invite up to 19 guests! It’s perfect for an everyday escape or a celebration to remember. Make AMC your next destination to meet friends and family and reserve an entire AMC Safe & Clean™ auditorium, starting at just $99+tax.

www.amctheatres.com

Awesome!! It was really cool and fun for the kiddos. I’d recommend it.

 

[krista4]

I'm happy to see that not only am I "normal" for once, but I'm not the only one who actually prefers going alone. I went to see Oppenheimer last night with three other people, and when leaving, I mentioned I might go see Barbie. Two of them said, "Oh yeah, let's do that!" I wanted to go alone!

 

[snogger]

Many, many times...

Yep.. When we had a theater here in town, there were multiple times I'd catch a 3pm show during the week while everyone was still working.

 

[Dezbelief]

My wife and I have been alone in a theater

In my 20s I had a girlfriend who acted like we were all alone anytime we went to the movies, back row in the corner. Except Pulp Fiction, we sat front row and no extracurricular activity.

 

[Mister CIA]

Watched Bill Maher's Religulous in my local movie theater back in the day. I was one person away from having the entire room to myself. Did not strike up a conversation with the other dude because he was probably weird AF.

 

[Dezbelief]

No but I wouldn’t be opposed to it

Same

 

[shuke]

No, but not because I would have a problem with it, just haven't had the need. I have gone to many concerts by myself, though.

 

[Dwayne Hoover]

I dont go to movies alone much but certainly have. I have no problem going to see a band i want to see by myself though.

Ill even travel to see bands by myself, absolutely no problem with that, in fact I like the freedom.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I'm happy to see that not only am I "normal" for once, but I'm not the only one who actually prefers going alone. I went to see Oppenheimer last night with three other people, and when leaving, I mentioned I might go see Barbie. Two of them said, "Oh yeah, let's do that!" I wanted to go alone!

Make sure you wear pink. And sparkles. It was easy to tell who was going to that movie. Poeple actually dressed up with pink accessories and everything. Mr R reported that there were two pink Jeeps in the parking lot. The servers in the cinema even had Barbenheimer shirts on (half black/half pink with the appropriate logo). It was fun.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

I used to feel like I had to go to movies with friends when I was younger.
The first movie I saw alone was August of 1998, I HAD to go see it because of something that happened three days before.
I was working at a big corporation and got a new job with them where I had to move from Washington state to Colorado and was driving across the country to my new job on the company's bill so I made a diversion up to Glacier National Park. I was going to head down to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, then back to my old stomping grounds in Steamboat Springs Colorado and cut to Rocky Mountain National Park before arriving at my new digs in Fort Collins.
Early that day, I dropped off an old college buddy at the airport, he was a junior lewy with the Navy and he left his dress whites in my car but he was going to be in Colorado in a week so we'd meet up and I'd be able to bring him his uniform at that time but I had to keep an eye on it. Add, my company moved all of my stuff except essentials and valuables that I had with me in my car. Oh, and I had an unfinished screenplay in my glove compartment that I valued so I had to keep my vehicle in eyesight whenever I stopped.
I dropped off my bud before 6:00 AM and didn't make it to the Idaho border until past 2:00 PM. The drive was longer and much-much-MUCH hotter than I expected, and I had symptoms of heat exhaustion. My car had no AC.
I pulled into a diner that only had one shade open and only one car in the parking lot. I had to set at the booth with the open blind to keep an eye on my car so when I walk in what do I see? The only person is sitting with their back to turned facing the booth that I had to sit in.
I thought to myself; 'What sort of a malfunction do you have to have to sit with your back turned to an empty diner?' My mouth was dry so I was barely able to order and grabbed my tray and was heading to the booth when the freak who had his back turned violently swiveled to glare at me.
Too bad freaky, I had to sit at that corner booth to keep an eye on my car.
He wasn't happy and gave me the stink eye. I was completely wiped out and the last thing I needed was stress from some freak show so I just hung my head but couldn't eat so I just sipped at my drink and waited about five minutes and looked up and he was still glaring at me, ugh. It really stressed me out and made it impossible to eat my burger, so I waited two minutes and he's still staring so I got pissed and remembered staring contests from childhood so I whipped my head up and just stared right back at him but I had no strength so I hung my head and was REALLY stressed and could barely eat or digest my food. I waited five minutes before I could look up and this time the guy is sitting back, relaxed and was curiously looking at me like he wants to talk. I desperately wanted to talk to him and tried to but the heat exhaustion and stress of this encounter left me unable to speak so I looked out the window at my car and then hung my head down again. Two minutes later I look up and this time the guy is much more friendly and is leaning in and is wanting to talk and I try again to speak but can't and don't hang my head down but continue to eat and we're both jiust looking at each other.
The guy finishes his meal and he's waiting for me to finish so we can talk. I finish and try but I still can't talk. The guy picks up his tray, busses his table, goes over to the trash can, empties his refuse, says goodbye to the people behind the counter and heads towards the door, constantly looking at me like he's telling me its my last chance to talk to him as he's at the door. He just shakes his head and leaves.
The second the door closes all three of the people behind the counter say; 'I can't believe Stephen Speilbergh was here.'
I had a surreal 22-minute silent lunch with Speilbergh with my unfinished screenplay in my glove compartment the week that Saving Private Ryan was released. I had plans to see it with my college buddies in Colrado but HAD to see it. Caught the first showing of the matinee the first chance I had.
Amazing experience.
The job had me working 12 hour shifts overnight so I woke up right about the time matinees would start so I saw tons of movies by myself and loved it. My friends worked regular 9 to 5 jobs so I lots of free time, so I got over whatever social hang ups I had about going to see movies alone.