15 Reasons to Watch Your Movies At Home

Call me crazy, but I hardly go to the movie theater anymore. Unless it is a movie that I’m absolutely dying to see (Hunger Games, anyone??), I would much rather watch a movie at home than in the theater. Waiting in long lines to get my tickets, and then again to get my snacks: not fun. Because I’m not willing to get to the theater hours before the movie actually starts, many times I’m left scouring the rows for open seats. And if I want to go with a few friends, then there is no option but to get there early, or we’re all stuck at opposite ends of the theater… or, even worse, sitting in the front row.

Then there are the annoying, loud teenagers talking through the entire movie, and the fact that I always end up sitting in front of that one kid who won’t stop kicking my seat. Let’s not even bring up the fact that I’m guaranteed to need to go to the bathroom right when the movie starts getting good.

As I said… the movie theater is not my favorite thing. That is why my husband and I almost always watch our movies at home. We’ll still have our date nights… go out and get dinner, and sometimes dessert. But at the end of the night, when it’s time for the movie… time to head home.

Here are just 15 of the many reasons to watch a movie at home:

Relaxing. We, like most people I think, usually watch our movies at the end of the night. By that time, I am usually exhausted from a long day of work. So, the idea of snuggling in front of a movie with my favorite blanket, a cup of tea or hot cocoa, and some popcorn sounds great! But that is the exact opposite of what the experience in a movie theater is.

Comfort. As hard as they try, movie theater seats are just not comfortable. And am I the only one who avoids resting my head against the back of the seat for fear of lice or bedbugs? Ok, even if that’s just me, I don’t think that when anyone thinks of a movie theater that “comfort” is one of the first words that come to mind. But when thinking of my home theater, living room, or bedroom? Yep! Comfort! When watching a movie I would much rather be curled up on my couch than in a movie theater.

Pajamas, baby! When my husband and I go out on date nights, or when I go out with my friends, I usually like to dress up. But after filling up on dinner, and that piece of cheesecake that I know I shouldn’t have but I always do anyway, I really don’t want to keep those jeans buttoned up! (I know that you know what I’m talking about here). Instead, kicking those heels off, letting my hair down, and throwing on some sweats… ah, yeah, much better. I know that can go along with the whole comfort idea… but for me this is enough of a benefit to be counted on its own!

Saves money. The overpriced tickets at the movie theater are enough to keep me away. When I can have an even better experience at home, there are much better things I’d rather do with my money to spend it at a movie theater. The tickets aren’t just the problem, the snacks are extremely overpriced too! There is always the option of the dollar theaters. But their chairs are even more uncomfortable, their floors are sticky, and their screens show a poor quality image.

Then there’s gas money getting there & back, and convenience fees if you purchase online. And what about families with children? Now not only are you paying close to $10 a ticket, but let’s multiply that by 3, 4, 5, 6… and if you want to leave them at home let’s add on babysitting fees. Save the money and watch at home.

You control the snacks. This could be broken down into a few different benefits: cost, taste, & health. As I just discussed, movie theater snacks are unbelievably overpriced! And I’ve heard that some theaters are getting security and searching people’s purses before movies to make sure they’re not sneaking snacks in, so that idea is out. Having these same snacks at home saves so much money.

Next is taste. When we’re all being honest with ourselves, movie theater snacks really aren’t that great! Soggy popcorn with over-salty butter substitute (what is that stuff made of, anyway?). Stale tortilla chips with “cheese” sauce? Watered down soda? No, thanks. Instead, what about fresh-popped popcorn topped with REAL melted butter? You can even come up with your own signature flavors! Try making it spicy with different spices. Or sweet with melted chocolate and/or marshmallows. Or add coconut oil and shredded coconut! Or forget about the popcorn and make a cake!

On to health. What are the options at movie theaters? Nachos, popcorn doused in butter, hot dogs, soda, and candy. Again, make these same snacks (or better ones) at home! Even if you’re going for the same movie-theater snacks, you can make them with much less preservatives, salt, fat, etc at home. It’s always nice to know what is going into the food you are feeding yourself and your family. And if health is really a concern for you, then eating at the theater isn’t even an option. Now you can make healthy snacks that you can enjoy!

Every seat is a good seat. As I discussed above, for many movies, you have to show up way in advance to get decent seats, and/or seats next to the people you want to sit by. Well, that problem is completely wiped away when watching at home! You control the seating, and you don’t have to arrive ahead of time to save seats!

No crying babies. There are very few things as distracting when trying to watch a movie as a crying baby (or a toddler asking questions, or a teeny bopper snickering with their friends). Sure, babies and kids (maybe not teeny boppers, but definitely the other two), are very cute! But they’re not exactly what I’m paying to listen to. When you’re at home, you can control the noise. And if you have kids of your own, you can pause the movie to answer their questions, or wait to watch the movie until they’re in bed.

Watch what you want, when you want. Have you ever gotten all geared up, planning a date night or night out with friends to go see a movie, only to realize there really isn’t anything good in the theater? Well, there are so many more options at the movie store (or on your DVR)! As I said before, every once in a while there is a movie that I’m really excited to see and I will see it in the theater (going to see Avengers this weekend!). But other than that, I’m usually just fine waiting until it comes out on video. Especially once you get in the habit of doing this. Because then you’re too busy watching the movies that came out two months ago to worry about what’s in the theater at the moment. Again, this won’t apply for the movie that all of your friends will be talking about, or that you’ve been dying to see. But other than that, you’re not missing out waiting a month or two.

Also, you’re not limited to whatever genre happens to be popular at the moment. It seems like all of the chick flics come out right at the same time! And then comes the season for horror movies, then on to the end-of-the-world movies. What if I’m in the mood for a Christmas movie in June? No problem, just pop one in the DVD player!

Talk all you want. People who talk during a movie are SOO annoying! Unless it’s me. Then I’m totally justified needing my question answered right at that moment. Don’t be that person that talks during the movie. I promise that other people are hating you when you do that. But when you’re at home, you can pause the movie for a second if you really need to ask a question. Or you can chat for a sec during a really boring part.

Cuddle time! Isn’t cuddling the best part of watching a movie?? When watching movies at home, you don’t have to worry about that awkward arm rest getting in the way of you and your sweetheart.

Bathroom breaks. When you’re at the theater, you better make sure you get it all out before the movie starts! There’s nothing worse than a movie finally getting to the good part, and realizing that you have to go to the bathroom! Well, no worries with that when you’re watching at home. Just pause the movie, do your business, and get back to the action. Yes, you might annoy your friends and family that you’re watching with, but it’s much better than paying $10 for a movie and having to miss something important because nature called.

Ok if you fall asleep. I’m like an old lady. One minute I’m awake, the next I’m asleep. I have literally fallen asleep in the middle of conversations… numerous times. It drives my husband crazy. And to me, movies are like lullabies. They just put me straight to sleep! Usually I’m ok in movie theaters (so uncomfortable!), but I have friends that have fallen asleep in the theater in the middle of a movie they were super excited to see. If you are one of these people, just watch it at home! That way, you can fall asleep and finish it off the next night!

Ability to rewind. I’ve gotten so used to my DVR that I try to rewind everything nowadays! When listening to the radio, I’ve reached for the rewind button before… only to feel like a complete dork. Sometimes when I’m in the movie theater, I really really wish I had a rewind button for the movie. Think about when when you’re watching a movie where you’re trying to piece everything together, and you wish you could just rewind to make sure you heard that one sentence right. Or when someone is talking during a really important part. Well, that becomes a reality when you’re watching at home! Miss an important part? Rewind.

Spend time with the family. If you have a family, you know how difficult it can be to get the whole family together for a movie. Mainly, it’s just so darn expensive! And then it can be next to impossible to find a movie that the whole family can agree on. Imagine spending all that money on a movie that only a couple members of the family are actually excited to see. Well, when you’re watching at home, that isn’t nearly as much of a concern. Why not have a weekly or monthly family movie night? Pop some popcorn, make some root beer floats, and enjoy. You can rotate every time, letting a different family member pick the movie each time. With the compromise, and the great home-made snacks… and the money savings, everyone can be happy!

Impress neighbors. If you are watching enough movies at home, and saving all that money that you would have spent at the theater, over time you can save enough money to build a home theater in your house! Then, watching movies at home will be even more enjoyable. Then you’ll get the true feel of watching a movie at the theater… but without the downsides to the theater. And on top of all of the benefits listed above, you will now become the envy of the neighborhood (let’s be honest, we all want that). Invite your neighbors over for a movie night, and they will all be talking about your home theater.

So, the next time you are trying to decide whether to head to the theater or watch at home… keep those pajamas on and enjoy it in the comfort of your own home.