8 simple rules for not being a jerk at the movies

From cellphones to chatting, a definitive guide to moviegoing etiquette in the modern era

Movie theater do's and don'ts
(Image credit: (Courtesy Shutterstock))

Last week, FirstShowing.net critic Alex Billington threw down the latest gauntlet in the ongoing battle between people who use their cellphones in movie theaters and people who really, really want them to stop. During a press and industry screening of Ti West's The Sacrament, Billington became so incensed by a frequent cellphone user that he actually called 911 on the person — turning the subject of movie theater etiquette into an internationally reported incident.

Billington has since admitted that he overreacted to the situation, but it's clear: We all must agree on a new set of rules for movie theaters before this gets even more out of hand. As someone who's spent much of my professional career in movie theaters — first as a pimply usher at a local movie theater in high school, and, much later, as someone who writes about movies — I'd love to live in the magical dream utopia where everyone agrees to focus only on the movie they just dropped 12-plus dollars to see. Unfortunately, we don't live in that world — but fortunately, I have a few modest compromises that I think could end this war once and for all:

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Scott Meslow

Scott Meslow is the entertainment editor for TheWeek.com. He has written about film and television at publications including The Atlantic, POLITICO Magazine, and Vulture.