
With butterflies in your stomach, you and a potentially special someone plan your first date, imagining all the possibilities it could hold. You picture a romantic candlelit dinner at a charming hole-in-the-wall restaurant, a picnic by an iridescent lake where the Sun dances on its miniature waves, or perhaps bonding over the adorableness of golden retriever yoga. But then, as the conversation unfolds, the excitement of butterflies turns to anxious moths when you suddenly suggest, “How about the movies?”
For those who feel slightly more nervous about first dates, the movies can seem like an ideal option due to how low-pressure and non-confrontational it is. Though it may feel like an easy escape, the movies are often dismissed as an uninspired choice because of the lack of communication, especially by hopeless romantics who imagine a first date as an unforgettable experience. But is it truly impossible to make a movie date memorable? Did it feel low-effort? Was your date whispering silly jokes about the movie in your ear, only for you to stay silent? Did you fail to offer to share your popcorn? If you choose the cinema as your first date thinking it is a “Get Out of Jail Free” card, remember this is not a game of Monopoly. In fact, you will need to put in even more effort to impress your date and make the experience special, especially if you both did not have much time to get to know each other. As someone who once firmly believed the cinema was a poor first date choice, I have come to realize there are hidden benefits to this setting — and even the potential for stories worth telling — if planned thoughtfully.
You can introduce a playful and unique twist to your movie date by turning it into a fun challenge. For example, if you go to watch a sci-fi flick at the theater, you can go into the film putting bets on a word you think the script will include the most, like “laser” or “planet.” Each time the word you bet on is mentioned, your date has to give you a piece of candy or popcorn from their stash and vice versa. This creates a light-hearted and playful environment while not taking away from the movie.
Creating predictions about the movie’s plot prior to the film can add bonding moments. Continuing the competitive nature of the previous idea, predicting where the movie is going to go based on the trailers, posters and sneak peeks could allow for some playful competitive tension at the theater. When the film is over, you will then have something to debate about.
Adding a meal to your date, either before or after the movie, can significantly increase its memorability. The dining spot does not need to be fancy or candlelit, especially if you are working with a budget. A simple sit-down chain restaurant or even a nearby food truck by a park with benches can do the trick. Eating before the movie has its perks, such as heightened energy and excitement (perhaps from a mix of nerves and adrenaline) and the possibility of some romantic gestures, like hand-holding, as you build a connection early on. On the other hand, for those who feel anxious about first impressions, grabbing a bite after the movie might be the better choice. Heading to a spot like Applebee’s post-movie provides an easy conversation starter — the film you just watched — and the time spent in comfortable silence during the movie can help ease nerves and make the interaction feel more natural.
And of course, being your true, genuine self will improve the experience of the date. Because the cinema can be such a passive experience, any time that allows for conversation or action should be embraced as an opportunity to show your date who you really are. At the theater, it is easy for the movie to become the main focus of the evening, which means you have to maximize any potential moment for bonding.
In the end, a movie theater first date may not be the most conventional choice for everyone, but if the connection built in the theater is strong and the experience memorable, that might just be more impressive than an extravagant helicopter ride over Niagara Falls followed by a Michelin-starred meal. With the right mindset and a few of the ideas mentioned above, you can transform a seemingly simple movie date into an extraordinary experience. And remember, sometimes it is not about the grandeur of the date, but the chemistry shared between two people. A well-executed movie date could easily outlast those flashier, over-the-top encounters and become a cherished memory for both of you.