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Original poster

Cinema alone

216 replies

Fireonbutfrozen · 08/01/2026 20:43

Do you ever do it?

I have a couple of times and like it, but always feel a bit weird going in. Also-this is crazy, do you ever feel a bit scared on your own? Ive been in before when I was the only one in there, does that leave you vulnerable?

Planning to go tomorrow and sneak some treats in my bag from the shop, i’m thinking Revels or Minstrels and some Monster munch
What would you take?

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 09/01/2026 22:22

I usually go on my own. Never occurred to me to feel vulnerable!

NearlyMonday · 09/01/2026 22:10

FettleOfKish · 08/01/2026 21:07

Why on earth not? Do you do anything else alone?

Show quote history

I have been on my own a couple of times and felt very self-conscious, and almost a bit embarrassed to be there on my own, although I can’t explain why.

Solaire18381 · 09/01/2026 22:07

I've been alone a couple of times. Even sillier I did a 2 for 1 so booked two seats yet there was just me. I do find the cinema a bit too loud for me though, and ads too long.

Now I just purchase a movie on Prime or Youtube, or whatever, soon after. Often it works out cheaper that way too!

MyBrightPeer · 09/01/2026 22:02

Going to the cinema on your own is a real treat and why do you need to go with anyone, it’s a thing you do in silence.

piefacedClique · 09/01/2026 22:01

I’ve done this loads of times. I love it! A guilty pleasure…. Sit where you want…. No irritating commentary from even your most loved ones…. No one 30cm away eating……. Loudly. Actually I might do this again soon 🙏🙏🙏

YouBelongHere · 09/01/2026 21:59

The responses on here have made me wanna go to an Everyman cinema, we don't have one in my town though, I'd have to travel at least an hour 😂

notacooldad · 09/01/2026 17:37

I honestly prefer going alone.
Me and dh have very different tastes.

I have a friend that I go with sometimes and she just talks all the way through it and says things like 'As if that would happen, what happens in real life is.....'
I had another friend who has fallen asleep twice with films we went to see.
When I'm by myself I can just switch off from every day noise and enjoy the film.

Original poster
Fireonbutfrozen · 09/01/2026 16:45

aLFIESMA · 09/01/2026 15:09

Our local cinema has a Monday morning showing with free tea or coffee & biscuits! Love it!

Oh wow, where do you live?

OP posts:
FrostyPalms · 09/01/2026 16:44

I love going to the movies alone and I can't understand how anyone would find it odd. It's not like you can chat during the movie. A matinee with a glass of wine? What a treat! I just wish there were more films that I was interested in seeing.

Original poster
Fireonbutfrozen · 09/01/2026 16:41

MsOtisReflects · 09/01/2026 14:13

Noisy or odorous cinema snacks should mean instant banishment to an uninhabited island with no potable water. 😡

Edited

🙄

OP posts:
IsThisLifeNow · 09/01/2026 15:26

I go loads of my own, maybe once a week on average, sometimes more if there are good films out? I've got an unlimited card, £13 or so to see an many as I like, its fab!

aLFIESMA · 09/01/2026 15:09

Our local cinema has a Monday morning showing with free tea or coffee & biscuits! Love it!

JustMeHello · 09/01/2026 15:03

I go to the cinema alone regularly, but you can't take MONSTER MUNCH to the pictures! Not unless you're the only one there!

stevegrabshall · 09/01/2026 14:36

Cinema alone is one of my favourite things. I watched Hamnet and had a good cry 🙂

Butchyrestingface · 09/01/2026 14:35

zingally · 09/01/2026 14:25

I go by myself all the time - love it!!

What’s NOT to love about going alone?

You get to:

  • pick the film YOU want to see
  • go when YOU want to go
  • don’t have to wait for anyone else dithering about what food to buy
  • Pick the seat YOU want to sit in
  • dump all your belongings in the seats either side of you if it’s not a busy screening and SPRAWL to the best of your abilities
  • don’t have to endure a post-screening analysis in which your viewing partner reveals themselves to be a dumbass.

I fail to see the downside. Grin

nomas · 09/01/2026 14:28

MildlyAnnoyed · 08/01/2026 21:01

I’ve been by myself a few times when I had sky cinema & got the free tickets monthly. I’d go on a Sunday afternoon & time it so I would pick up the children from their dads afterwards. I’d usually go with minstrels or malteasers for treats.

Yep the 2 x free tickets from sky cinema every month has normalised people going alone. Why waste them, you can use one at a time you don't have to use both at the same time.

zingally · 09/01/2026 14:25

I go by myself all the time - love it!!

MsOtisReflects · 09/01/2026 14:13

Noisy or odorous cinema snacks should mean instant banishment to an uninhabited island with no potable water. 😡

FettleOfKish · 09/01/2026 14:13

madaboutpurple · 08/01/2026 22:56

I go the cinema alone and theatre matinee shows. I once heard a lady say to her friends that she felt sorry for me and her friends seemed very quick with the reply that they thought it was a good idea as no one would be making comments ,asking questions or popping to the loo often and disturb their group. I smiled as they were obviously making comments about her behaviour.

Ha, I wonder if anyone ‘felt sorry’ for me when I went to an evening performance of To Kill A Mockingbird in the west end. I hope not, because my excellent seat cost £19 on the day because it was a solo seat, they’d likely paid £100 each for the same row. I feel a bit sorry for them really… Grin

BCBird · 09/01/2026 14:04

Gowlett · 08/01/2026 21:13

Brought a mini M&S cheesecake last time.
Luckily I had a little spoon in my bag, he he…

Hilarious 😂 Heard someone on radio say they once took a take away carvery in the cinema😂No problem going by myself. Would not take Monster Munch- they stink. My snack of choice would be peanut M and Ms.

Christmaseree · 09/01/2026 14:03

StoppingByWoodsOnAColdEvening · 09/01/2026 13:44

Was Sentimental Value good? It looks interesting.

Show quote history

No not for me, I didn’t get why it was meant to be good.
Hopefully Hamnet tomorrow will be better.

Spidey66 · 09/01/2026 14:00

Love going on my own, though usually stick to the daytime screenings.

foodymcfoodface · 09/01/2026 13:56

I don't feel scared but YANBU to keep an eye on your surroundings. It depends on your area/ the layout/ whether there's a few other people in the room too. Best to be vigilant but don't let that stop you from going.

Butchyrestingface · 09/01/2026 13:55

I used to go on my own occasionally. I doubt anyone else even thinks about it, far less comments on it.

I take my own flask of tea or juice plus a huge elephant box tin of store bought popcorn and a bag of minstrels and feel all smuggy mcsmugface about not paying the cinema’s inflated prices.

MsOtisReflects · 09/01/2026 13:54

Since Christmas:

Marty Supreme - entertaining but I wasn’t thrilled.

Sentimental Value - honestly epic.

Hamnet - performances fine, but I didn’t feel particularly engaged.

All above have current threads under Films on MN

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