Mumsnet users share their cinema memories with ODEON

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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

I was 15 and me and my friends were already to alone, out first big night out.
The girls did their makeup and the boys slapped on some of there dads bruit, it smelt awful but thank full wore off by the tome we got to the odeon. ‘We watched 10 things I hate about you’ and got a coffee even though it tasted horrible as we weren’t used to it but hey, we adults now, still makes me chuckle when it’s on tv and reminds me of our big night out.
My son is the same age and just watched bumble bee. Memories

My first cinema memory is going to see Santa Claus the Movie with my Mum, sister, Aunt and cousins around Christmas time. Apparently my first experience was actually a Muppets film though.

Another memory is shopping in town when my Mum suddenly surprised us with a trip to see the My Little Pony movie. (I was obsessed with them.)

Going to see Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade on my birthday while on holiday in Skegness. I have a strong memory of walking towards the cinema, and how they used to have the name of the film and the actors in big letters on the front of the building.

Most embarrassing moment - walking into the cinema to see Problem Child with my Mum and sister only to see a group of girls from my class there WITHOUT PARENTS.

First (and probably only) time going alone with friends - Seeing Robin Hood Prince of Thieves with my two friends, one of whom had already seen it once, probably cos she was a big Bryan Adams fan. The cinema was a smaller narrow one, and everyone gasped out loud when Sean Connery appeared on screen.

Oh, and of course the time we were supposed to go and see Ghostbusters 2 as a family on a Sunday. Only a bus never showed up, so we ended up just having to walk back home with my sister and I both crying .

I had a lovely time one Christmas taking my then 3yo ds and 3 yo niece to see one of the tinker bell films. It’s hard to find age appropriate things to do in winter so the cinema can be ideal with the right film. They were good as gold and thought it was a massive treat. It was particularly special because my niece lives in another country so it’s not often I get to take her out.

My earliest memory of the cinema is going to the odeon cinema in Sutton Coldfield with my mum where a remastered version of the original Snow White was on probably early 90s. I remember the excitement of the big screen and buying the special mini cardboard boxes of sweets you could only get at the cinema.

I remember my first date as a teenager going to the cinema with a boy - can't remember what we saw I was so nervous through the whole thing.

Took my daughter to the cinema for the first time to Peter Rabbit (age 3 at the time). I can't wait to take her to Mary Poppins Returns next!!

My earliest memory of cinema is of the Saturday showing of children's movies - Cinderella is the first one I remember.

Don't know if anyone has already mentioned this, but in the 70's there was always a short film first, and it mostly seemed to be Tarka the Otter. I was gutted when they stopped showing it. That and the Pearl and Dean music, though that did come back eventually.

I remember when you used to get a supporting film (like a B movie) along with the main film! If you really loved a film and wanted to see it more than once, you would end up watching the supporting film several times as well and they were often really boring - I remember watching one that was a documentary about St Lucia about 4 times! This seems crazy now, I wonder what the reasoning was behind it?

I remember going to the cinema to see Annie, first film I ever saw and it was magical, we only had a teeny tiny portable telly at home so I was entranced by the big screen!

The first film I took my daughter to see was Paddington. It was wonderful to see the look on her face, which mirrored how I probably looked all those years ago. That film is still really special to her now because it was the first one she saw at the cinema. We’re very excited to go and see the new Mary Poppins film over th Christmas break :)

going to see the Blair witch project as a teen, and having to cut through a dark-ish forest bit afterwards to get to the main road to walk home. someone had made the Blair witch sign out of twigs and put it in a tree. we screamed and ran away as fast as we could 😂

going to see a harry potter film and they sent people dressed up as dementors to sit next to random people!

He first film I saw at the cinema was lion king. I remember bawling my eyes out when simbas dad died 😢 I was inconsolable ha Ha!

My kids first time at the cinema was watching coco! We spent more time
Going to the toilet every 20 mins than watching the film! X

I can only just remember my first cinema trip. It was to see a Rupert the bear film in the early 70’s at - what I thought - was an enormous cinema. I must have been about 4.

The cinema had the traditional Scarlett velvet fold-up chairs, which were of course a new experience for me. So new, that I put my interval ice-cream (another great cinema memory) down on it with predictabl, messy consequences.

Another really strong memory was when our town opened its first multiplex in the 80s and I was able to go with just my friends for the first time. The first film we saw was Back to the Future and It was the first time I had heard surround sound properly, and I was blown away by feeling the music. I still think if it’s every time Huey Lewis is played on the radio.

I have clear memories of going to see ET when I was about 6 - I went with a school friend and I'm pretty sure it was my first ever cinema trip. I loved the whole experience.

My earliest cinema memory was my mum taking me to see return to oz as the wizard of oz was my favourite film. We left half way through as I was terrified!

I also remember going to watch Bambi on a holiday to Wales when it pissed it down all week...

Saturday Night Fever. We discovered a local cinema that wasn't that bothered about the 18 rating - I think we were about 14. Gatley Cinema if you want to name it.

We were all into drama and dance for whatever reasons. We all understood, by John Travolta's performance that it's a job not a silly hobby and learnt the dance remembered today.

We remember our teens more than we remember yesterday or, for example, 10 years before now.

Anyone want to join in a song?

Are You Hanging Up the Stocking on the wall
or is it
When the Snow Man Brings the Snow?

I remember queuing up in Woolworths to spend my pocket money on one of them but Woolworth's had run out. Still got the single - I think it cost 69p.

I took my DS to see the Polar Express a few weeks before Christmas.
He was at that very special age where he was unquestioning and utterly enthralled the whole way through.
I glance at him throughout the film, the popcorn remained untouched as he sat totally enchanted by the film, his eyes like little saucers.
I will never forgot those moments, in fact for the next few years we had to have special bells in the house that he would ring to summon Father Christmas on Christmas Eve

Jaws, around 1976 - our local cinema alternated the main feature and a supporting file (remember them?) at that time.

We arrived to see the supporting film first and were led into the auditorium by the usherette.

As the doors opened, we entered the darkened cinema to scenes of carnage and gore on the big screen - they'd let us into the end of the main feature by mistake. I can't rember whether we did stay to the end of Jaws when we finally saw it from the start but arriving early was a bit of a spoiler.

Back in the 1970s my sister and I used to go to the Saturday Morning Pictures some weekends. We attended the local (to us then) cinema in Woolwich . The tickets used to have a number on them and each week a ticket would be chosen at random and the gift would be cinema tickets to the latest children’s movie. One week my sister won and we got free tickets to see Bugsy Malone (yes I realise this dates me).
Had a great time seeing it.

Another favourite was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. My friend’s Dad took us and it was in the days when films were shown on a loop. Her Dad who was a bit of an alcoholic took himself off to the pub and we watched the movie and the feature before it twice. He wasn’t driving thankfully...we went there and back on a bus,

Taking my niece to the cinema for her 16th Birthday, we chose Little Shop of Horrors, not realising it was a musical. When they started singing we all looked at each other and quietly left, we went for a meal instead.

Someone with a scabbed cold sore kissed my ds on his cheek today who is 8 weeks old before I had chance to stop them, I've read that it can be dangerous for newborns, should I be worried? It's been playing on my mind all day!

I saw Little Shop of Horrors in a London cinema.
Brilliant!

We were always queueing around the block to see the James Bond films, in all weathers, thank heavens we now have online booking.

I remember my dear departed Gran taking me to the cinema to see Home Alone. She didn't drive, so we went on the bus as usual. Getting off the bus, she tripped and fell and broke her leg. We ended up at the hospital instead of the cinema! My big brother took me in the end and bought me loads of sweets.

I took my oldest DD to see "Mary Poppins Returns" yesterday and she was absolutely entranced, especially during the bathtub scene. It was a total wish-I-could-stay-in-this moment. We never usually get to spend time together without my youngest DD, so I spoiled her. It was really special.

Myself and my sister used to go to Saturday morning pictures 9am every Saturday. 15p to get in, a bag of sweets and 3 hours worth of films and cartoons with our friends. We loved it (I expect our parents enjoyed the 3hours child free shopping time too ).

I LOVE going to the cinema! My husband & I went most weekends before our son was born.. he's now 5 & loves going to the cinema too.. although our choice or film is more limited these days :)
The most special cinema trip I remember was going to see The Muppet Christmas Carol with my Mum when I was about 9 - it was a few days after Christmas, just the two of us & it was so lovely sharing that time with her on my own - I felt so safe, cosy & secure. That film is still so special to me now & I always think back to that time :)
The first film I took my son to see at the cinema was Peppa Pig - he was still quite wee - only 18 months, but he made it through!