Mumsnet users share their cinema memories with ODEON

[JustineBMumsnet]

NOW CLOSED

Whether you go often or it’s a rare treat, trips to the cinema often leave memories in a way watching a film at home rarely would. ODEON would like to hear about your memories of going to the cinema - either when you were a child or when taking your own children now.

Chris Bates, Commercial Director at ODEON UK & Ireland said: “The festive period is a special and magical time for the whole family, and what better way to celebrate than by enjoying one of the most highly anticipated films of the year – Disney’s Mary Poppins Returns. Across our cinemas, we’ve been busy sprinkling a little bit of extra magic on the cinema-going experience – including live performances from magicians, decorating our foyers, and a special Magic Mix deal on food & drink. Tickets to see the return of everyone’s favourite nanny are available to book now and we can’t wait to welcome guests through our doors to watch this truly magical film with ODEON."

Do you remember a particular film? Perhaps you have memories of a family member laughing so loudly it was embarrassing? Maybe you remember going without your parents for the first time? What are your favourite memories of taking your own children to the cinema?

All who post their memories below will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

[EsmeeMerlin]

Apparently the first film I saw in the cinema was Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in which my mum said there were a few dads cheering for the pink power ranger.

My mum loves the cinema so we were taken fairly often as children and I have always taken my ds1 since he was around 3 years of age. We have a cheap cinema near us which turn a blind eye to outside snacks being taken in so its cheap for us to do to see the new releases although we have not been recently due to baby ds2.

[HippyChickMama]

I took ds to see Bohemian Rhapsody recently. He has Autism and is often distracted in the cinema but he's got a current obsession with Queen. He was fixated on the screen the whole way through and as we came out of the cinema at the end he turned to me and said "That was the best film I've ever seen, thank you so much for taking me". It made my year.

[YouSmellOfBeefAndCheese]

I watched ET with my dad and brother on a Saturday when my mum was at work. We were allowed pick and mix and some popcorn.
It’s a great memory for me and we still live in the same city I grew up in so now I take my children to the same cinema

[PlushLush2018]

Most memorable family film memory has to be seeing 'Jaws' - parents very strict so not sure why they thought it suitable entertainment for tweens. I've never liked the sea since... It was just after Christmas (early January) when we saw it.

[shutlingsloe]

My first film was The Rescuers, the first I remember is Herbie goes to Monte Carlo.

Favourite memories with my own kids - I did the Kids' Club films for years and we all loved seeing films for a pound or so, saw some we wouldn't have seen otherwise and loved them.

[EnolaAlone]

The first time I went to the cinema without adults was when I was 12. Me, my friend and my little brother went to see Home Alone 2. It was the dying days of the local cinema in our town. It was December, the cinema had no heating, no snacks and I think we only paid £1 each to get in. We watched the film in multiple layers, hats, scarves and gloves and yet thoroughly enjoyed it! Absolutely freezing afterwards, but it was a funny film and certainly a memorable experience. Needless to say, the cinema closed down shortly after.

[lostmywayrightnow]

I remember seeing a Christmas film (A Christmas Carol) with my parents and sister at our local cinema on Christmas Eve. It was lovely and such fond memories. The cinema does not exist anymore but a special memory!

[GetKnitted]

Vividly remember first time going all the way to the cinema with a group of friends without even a lift! Bus ride and then a long walk and we watched Sleepers.

[Philomensapie]

I took DD and DS2 to see Smurfs: The Lost Village, it was DS2's first ever cinema experience. He loved it!

[Theimpossiblegirl]

I remember seeing ET for my birthday treat. We went to the cinema once or twice a year and it was a very special occasion. We lived in rural Wales and it was quite a journey to 'town' to the nearest cinema.
I still love going and am looking forward to Mary Poppins Returns.

[ImportantWater]

We didn’t often go to the cinema as it was expensive. My first memory of the cinema is seeing Snow White when I was four, and ET at the age of five, and then I didn’t go again until I was about 11, to see Star Trek The Voyage Home.

However I was an usherette when I was 18 and certainly made up for the number of films seen then. It was a run down massive old cinema, much faded from the glory days of the 30s, with one screen - we used to ask “ smoking or non smoking?” (different sides of the central aisle). I had an ice cream tray that went around my neck, and a torch to shine on misbehaving couples.

[SantasBassoon]

I used to like the glass-fronted ticket booth in our flea pit, with all the little boxes of Fruit Gums and Smarties lined up on display. I don't remember popcorn being available, and I can't remember what drinks were sold (definitely not dispensed into cups, possibly cartons?). There was always an intermission too, when the usherette would stand at the front with a tray of ice creams. This makes me sound ancient, but I'm not that old!

[Lobatri]

My earliest memories of going to the cinema date back to when we went to the beach for our holiday day trip. If it was a rainy day we would often have a treat of going to the nearest cinema. One cinema stood out as it had one of those organs that rose and sank down into the floor at the side of the stage/screen. The organist played it as it rose up from the basement and sank back down .

[AugustRose]

A cinema trip was a treat for us, I do remember going to see 101 Dalmatians when I was about 7 (it clearly wasn't new as I'm 44) in an old cinema that doesn't exist now.

When I met DH (1991) we used to go to a cinema that was very old fashioned and still had a half time interval, complete with ice-cream/treat lady. It closed a few years later and then when we moved to a town in Cumbria in 2004 they had a cinema exactly the same, and they still had an ice-cream lady, but not the interval.

[LooksLikeImStuckHere]

I remember going to see Gremlins and putting my popcorn on the floor so I could duck down to get some whenever I felt scared

[Treaclespongeandcustard]

I always used to go to the cinema with my grandma. We’d see all the latest kids films together and she’d pack a bag full of treats. I now do the same for my kids. I have such happy memories of the cinema.

[MummyofTw0]

We took our 2 year old daughter to watch the new peter rabbit film

I've always held peter rabbit in my heart so it was really special for me

[biffyboom]

I loved going to the local cinema in the 80's with my mum, it only had 2 screens, and everyone would queue outside waiting for the doors to open whenever a new film came on, and there were only 2 showings a day at weekends. It was tiny and situated on a street with terraced houses, in a village.
I used to get a chocolate bar from the small tuck shop, and the chairs had ashtrays in the arm rests. Good memories!

[RumAppleGinger]

I love my limitless membership and think one of the best things ever is to go to the cinema on my own. It's such a treat.

That said I also love taking my kids as it is a firm excuse to go and see a lot of Disney movies, but since having babies I am a massive cryer and openly weep at most Pixar Movies. I remember going to see Coco with my kids, my youngest had fallen asleep on my knee half way through, I looked over at my DS1 towards the end as Miguel is singing Remember Me to his great grandmother and we both have tears steaming down our face and we had a little hug and laugh about it.

DS1 has already told me to bring tissues for Toy Story 4 as he know it is going to be emotional for me!

[NicoAndTheNiners]

I remember in the olden days having to queue for ages to see a film, the queue would stretch down the street.

When I was young, about 8yo, my dad took me to see Gremlins, we queued for over an hour, finally got inside the foyer and I sat on the sofa while dad continued to queue through the foyer. As he got to the desk to pay I ran over and he was just handing the money over and the woman looked at me and pointed out the film was a 15!

Dad hadn't realised. I was gutted. He took me Littlewoods for a coke and a kit Kat. Was one of the biggest disappointments of my childhood! 😁

[starlight36]

Growing up in a small town it was s long wait before films used to get to our town and then everyone would want to go to the one screen to see the film. Before online and telephone booking you had to arrive early and queue up. I remember bursting into tears as the cinema was full for ET and we had to get back in the car and drive home instead! I was quite traumatised by it but luckily it was worth the wait when I got to see it the following week.

[hormonallyspeaking]

I have pretty bad sensory issues because of ASD so cinema trips were absolutely terrifying to me as a child. Now I'm lucky my local cinema does autistic friendly sessions. Usually it's films for kids but at least it means I can go to the cinema and experience it.

I can't wait til my son is old enough to enjoy the cinema as his dad is a real film buff so hopefully they'll love going together.

[BristolMum96]

My favourite cinema memories are in secondary school, myself and a few friends would go every Wednesday straight after last lesson on orange Wednesday deals, lots of fun and laughter

[Owletty]

I remember going to a Saturday morning club for a couple of hours when I was young. It was in our local cinema which was Art Deco style. Unfortunately now closed and derelict.

Seeing posters for "when Harry met sally" as a child in the foyer of said cinema.

The "Ba ba ba ba ba ba baaa" music with the flying bricks at the start of a film. Can't remember what company this was related to, but the sound always takes me back to my childhood.

Going over the new multiplex in a local city. Such a treat. Watching Muriel's Wedding with my friends. Ten girls laughing along. Pizza beforehand and bus home.

Excitedly taking my 3 year old son for the first time and him being terrified of the overall experience (thankfully he is now fine - phew!)

Love the cinema 😍

[fringegrin45]

I remember the Odeon in Leeds as a teenager, queuing up (no online booking) and not being completely sure you'd get in. It added to the anticipation. I remember seeing who framed roger rabbit with about 10 friends