Popcorn for one: the unsung joy of going to the cinema alone

Going to the cinema often feels like one of the many activities that we’re conditioned into seeing as a group activity, like going to a restaurant, cozying up in a bar, going to a festival and traveling the world. Yet, just like the rest of these activities, there are so many joys that can come from going it alone.

Spending time on our own is important. We can enjoy our own company while giving our brains time to decompress. It gives us space to draw our own conclusions, perspectives and ideas. It helps us to know ourselves better, build empathy, creativity and allows us to build mental strength and plan our life.

If you feel a little nervous about spending time on your own in more public spaces, going to the cinema can be a great way to dip your toe in. It is, after all, quite a solitary experience filled with your own independent thoughts, while everyone focuses in on the same thing – a big screen. Here are some great reasons to treat yourself to a solo movies trip.

Going to the movies solo can be really empowering

Alone time is important and precious so why compromise? Going to the cinema on your own means no bargaining and, most importantly, no judgement. Your cinema-going habits are yours to reveal as and when you choose. If you’re feeling nervous about going on your own, picking something you’re really excited about can help balance this out with active enthusiasm.

Going to the movies solo can feel like a scary concept if you’re not used to spending time alone, but it can be really empowering. There’s also an extra bonus beyond watching what you really want – having all the snacks to yourself. 

It’s a way of dipping your toe into the experience of being alone

Some of the best rows in cinemas are often scattered with single chairs that haven’t been filled. Going alone means you can be the peg that fills that hole. If it’s unallocated seating, getting to the cinema earlier can help to ease anxiety – there’s no rush and you can immerse yourself without paying much attention to the seats filling up around you.

Not waiting on other people’s schedules can also give the added perk of being able to go during a quieter time. You can avoid school breaks or busy evenings by opting for a mid-week trip to get that extra dose of peace and quiet. And there are fewer people around which helps with easing yourself into solo time.

There’s more freedom to be as tearful or frightened as you want

Going solo takes removes the option of cinema as an ongoing commentary and instead enables you to fully engage and concentrate on what’s going on. You can react how you want. There’s less pressure to laugh along to fit in with your group at a part you don’t find amusing, and there’s more freedom to be as quiet, full of hilarity, tearful or frightened as you want.

You also get to focus on forming your own opinions without external influences. One of the joys of going to the cinema alone is being able to leave in silence, giving yourself time to reflect and review with just your views whirring in your mind.

It’s an enforced digital detox – you don’t need to interact with anyone

You also get to disconnect on your own terms. There’s no faffing around with availability and no qualms about an 11am showing because you’re not reliant on others. You can go when you want and as often as you want.

But you also get to disconnect from the world – once you walk through the doors, you don’t need to interact with anyone. Even better than that, it’s an enforced digital detox. With films clocking in anywhere from one- to three-hour showings, it’s the perfect period of time to reclaim just for you.

Spending time alone is entirely normal and necessary

Getting out to do something because you want to, without waiting on others, can feel really empowering. And it can impact the way you interact socially, too. By doing the things we want, independent of relying on other people to join us, it can create space for us to actively opt in to social situations because we want to be around those people, rather than them being a means to eat at a restaurant or watch a movie.

Think of it as a form of self care; doing something you want to do while also relaxing and recharging. More and more of us are going to the cinema alone, but it’s not until you do it that you notice how many other people are on their own, too. Beyond this, spending time alone is entirely normal and necessary, especially in today’s hyper-loud world. By going to see that movie alone, you’re helping to normalize it just that little bit more.

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