Loud eaters and phones nearly spoiled my cinema trip – and it’s not just me

The flickering screen lights and the hush of the theater create an escape from the outside world. Yet, as the film begins, the calm is often shattered by the rustle of wrappers, the chatter of voices, and the glow of screens. These disturbances, once considered minor, have sparked debates about whether modern cinema etiquette is deteriorating.

During a recent screening of Ryan Gosling’s *Project Hail Mary* in London, I witnessed a string of disruptions. A viewer behind me translated the film’s dialogue live to a companion, while a pair of spectators scrolled endlessly on their devices, seemingly unaware of the story unfolding on the big screen. Meanwhile, a family unwrapped a full picnic at their seats, and at a Valentine’s Day showing of *Wuthering Heights*, a woman crinkled a chocolate wrapper with the same enthusiasm as the film’s dramatic scenes.

These incidents highlight a growing trend of casual behavior in theaters. Film TikToker Cerys Hawkes documented this in a post titled “how to avoid annoying cinema-goers.” She noted that earlier showtimes, daytime screenings, and arthouse venues tend to be quieter, but admits,

“I understand that not everybody has this privilege.”

Her most vivid memory came during a *Smile 2* screening, where two men filmed themselves, the screen, and fellow audience members with flashlights, attempting to record “reaction” content for social media. They shouted throughout the movie, their voices intensifying during the scarier moments.

Hawkes attempted to engage the staff, but by the time they arrived, the men had paused, presumably to avoid being asked to leave. She ties this to a broader issue:

“Being disruptive often pairs with being messy. Last year’s Minecraft Movie screenings, where popcorn was tossed and a live chicken was even brought in, are infamous examples.”

Cinemas later issued warnings, stating that loud screaming, clapping, and shouting would not be tolerated.

Others argue that the problem stems from the convenience of home viewing. Finian Hackett, a film and theater-focused TikToker, claims

“phones are the worst offender.” He says, “I don’t think I’ve seen a single film in recent years where someone hasn’t been scrolling, even at premiere events. It’s the bane of my life.”

He suggests that people have grown accustomed to multitasking while watching movies at home, leading to a decline in public courtesy.

The BBC reached out to Vue, Odeon, Cineworld, and Everyman cinemas to review their guidelines. All confirmed that customers are urged to turn off phones during screenings. Vue emphasizes “consideration for others,” Odeon focuses on “not spoiling the enjoyment of others,” and Cineworld states it may ask disruptive patrons to “leave immediately” without a refund. Meanwhile, the UK Cinema Association’s James Connor asserts

“for the vast majority of audiences, seeing a film remains a shared experience. Phone use and casual conversations are not widespread and don’t represent typical behavior.”

He highlights that most viewers still respect the basic norms of cinema etiquette, allowing everyone to partake in the film’s magic.