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The experience of watching a film in a cinema is often seen as an escape, a chance to be fully immersed in another world. However, this escape can sometimes be shattered by distractions from fellow audience members. Despite cinemas’ clear requests—via adverts, announcements, and signage—for patrons to refrain from disruptive behaviour, instances of phone use, talking, and loud eating have become noticeable during screenings.
One recent example comes from a London cinema where, during a showing of Ryan Gosling’s sci-fi film *Project Hail Mary*, various disruptions occurred. A person behind the viewer was translating the dialogue aloud, people on either side were scrolling through their phones, and a family was unpacking a picnic. Earlier in the year, during a Valentine’s Day screening of *Wuthering Heights*, a woman noisily unwrapped a large chocolate heart, further disturbing those around her. Although fellow moviegoers attempted to quiet the disruptions, the interruptions briefly broke the immersive film experience.
Social media has highlighted further examples of cinema disturbances. Film TikToker Cerys Hawkes shared her frustration about disruptive behaviour on TikTok, including a screening of the horror film *Smile 2* in 2024, where two men shouted and filmed themselves with flashlights throughout the majority of the movie. Cinema staff intervened, but only temporarily, as the men paused briefly to avoid removal. Hawkes also linked disorderly conduct to certain events like last year’s *Minecraft Movie* screenings, which included shouting, popcorn throwing, and even someone bringing a live chicken to the auditorium. Despite such episodes, some audience participation, such as sing-alongs during the *Wicked* film, was seen as a positive and joyous experience.
Cinema chains acknowledge these challenges and emphasize etiquette to ensure all patrons can enjoy films. Major operators like Vue, Odeon, Cineworld, and Everyman require customers to switch off phones during screenings and to be considerate of others. Cineworld, for instance, reserves the right to ask disruptive customers to leave without a refund. James Connor from the UK Cinema Association reassured that most audiences still follow basic cinema etiquette, noting that while phone use and talking happen, they do not represent the majority. Academic Dr Kirsty Sedgman suggests that changes in behaviour, particularly after Covid lockdowns, have altered social norms around public conduct, with increased phone use at home gradually affecting how people behave in cinemas. Despite the challenges, with a strong lineup of upcoming films, cinema professionals remain hopeful about the future of the shared movie-going experience
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