How to Act on a Movie Date

Co-authored by John Keegan

Going on a date to the movies can be fun and romantic. It's a great chance to hang out with someone special and enjoy a good flick. Even if you're nervous, the best way to act on a movie date is to have fun and enjoy the movie, as well as your date's company!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing for the Date

1
Ask your date to pick the movie to be more accommodating. If you really want to make a good impression, be open to letting your date pick the movie for the date. Let them choose what they want to see. They may see this as a sweet and accommodating gesture.^{[1]
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- For example, you may ask them, “Hey, Chuck, what do you want to see?” or “Any new movies out you really want to see?”
2
Agree on the movie together to find middle ground. If you'd like to have more of a say, have a discussion about which movie you go see. Throw out a few options to your date and then agree on the movie together. That way, you can both enjoy the movie.^{[2]
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- Agreeing on the movie together can also show your date that you are willing to compromise, which can be an attractive quality in a romantic partner.
- For example, you may say, “Why don't we compromise and see a comedy?” or “What about going to see something we both like?”
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3
Dress in comfortable, casual clothing. Going to the movies is generally considered a casual setting for a date. Do not over dress by wearing a party dress or a tie. Instead, wear clothing that makes you feel confident and comfortable.^{[3]
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Expert Source

John Keegan
Dating Coach
Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
- If you are really into your date and want to look sexy, you may take it up a notch by wearing heels, a dress, or a collared shirt.
4
Confirm the time of the movie with your date. Once you have agreed on a movie, contact your date and confirm the meet up time by calling or texting them. Make sure you include a note about how excited you are for the date when you confirm the time.
- For example, you may text, "See you at the Westbrook theater at 7 pm. Looking forward to it :)" or call them and say, "Meet you outside the theater at 6:30. Can't wait!"
5
Get to the theater early. Plan ahead so you arrive 5-10 minutes early for the movie. This can allow you to get any last minute jitters out and feel calm for the date. You may wait for your date in front of the theater or get their ticket for them while you are waiting, if you'd like.
- Another option is to arrange to meet with your date early at the theater so you can get snacks and good seats before the movie starts. This way, you do not feel rushed or overwhelmed at the start of the date.
EXPERT TIP

Cher Gopman
Dating Coach
Cher Gopman is the Founder of NYC Wingwoman LLC, a date coaching service based in New York City. 'NYC Wingwoman' offers matchmaking, wingwoman services, 1-on-1 Coaching, and intensive weekend bootcamps. Cher is a Certified Life Coach, a former psychiatric nurse, and her work has been featured on Inside Edition, Fox, ABC, VH1, and The New York Post.

Cher Gopman
Dating Coach

I suggest getting tickets ahead of time for a movie date. Especially if you're going to the movies on a Friday or Saturday night, it's a great idea to get tickets in advance. You never want to arrive at the theater to find a sold-out movie!

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Staying Cool and Relaxed on the Date

1
Greet your date with a smile and a “hello.” When you first see your date at the theater, make eye contact with them and smile. Say “Hello” or “Hi.” Keep your body relaxed and turned towards your date.^{[4]
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- Only offer to hug them or peck them on the cheek if you feel it is appropriate. Consider whether you have greeted each other physically before or if your date is comfortable with that level of affection in public.
2
Offer to pay for your date's ticket, if you are comfortable and willing. Offering to pay for your date's ticket may impress them and show them that you are serious about the date. But you should only do this if you have the funds and do not feel weird about doing it. Paying or not paying for your date's ticket does not necessarily mean you do not care about your date.
- Some people like to split the cost of a date so everything is equal.
- Avoid falling into gender norms where the guy always pays on a date. This does not always have to be the case. Do what you feel comfortable with.
3
Ask your date if they'd like snacks for the movie. Before you sit down for the movie, put out an offer for snacks like popcorn and candy. Make sure you have enough time to stand in line for snacks before the movie so you don't miss it.
- If you don't want to have bad breath, you may go for snacks like Junior Mints or order a water with your snacks to keep your breath fresh.
- One option is to pay for the snacks for the movie if your date covered the tickets. This way, you keep things equal.
4
Pick seats next to each other where you can both see the screen. Go for seats that will be comfortable for both of you. In most movie theaters, the best seats are ⅔ of the way back and in the center, as they will have the best sound. But you may opt for seats where you can both view the screen easily so you can be comfortable.^{[5]
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Expert Source

John Keegan
Dating Coach
Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
- You may allow your date to take the lead on choosing seats, especially if you are not picky.
5
Read your date's body language during the movie. Pay attention to how your date interacts with you. If they shift closer to you or lean against you, these may be positive signs that they like being near you. They may also make extended eye contact or smile at you often.^{[6]
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Expert Source

John Keegan
Dating Coach
Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
- If your date tries to shift away from you, turns their body away, or crosses their arms, they may be displaying negative body language. These may be signs that they are not 100 percent comfortable being close to you or into being intimate.
- Keep in mind, in some cases, if your date shifts away from you or sits with their arms crossed, they may just be cold or like sitting at a distance. The only way to really know what they are thinking is to ask them directly.
6
Watch the movie! You're on a movie date, so you should let yourself enjoy the movie you went to go see. Your date might not want to talk quietly during the movie or get close because they want to focus. Watch what they're doing before you do anything that would distract from the movie.^{[7]
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Expert Source

John Keegan
Dating Coach
Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
7
Ask your date for consent before you try to be intimate. Do not make a move on your date during the movie without their consent. Just because you are in the dark, sitting together, does not necessarily mean your date is open to being intimate. Ask your date for consent before you touch them or become intimate with them.^{[8]
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- For example, you may say, “Is it okay if I kiss you?” or “Are you comfortable with me touching you?”
- If your date says “no,” do not pressure them to be intimate. Accept their response and go back to enjoying the movie.
- If your date says “yes,” you can be intimate. Make sure you check in with them often to confirm they are consenting.
- Going on a movie date does not mean you have to be intimate. You and your date may be happy watching the movie and enjoying the experience together.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Wrapping up the Date

1
Ask your date what they thought of the movie. Keep your connection with your date going by asking them their opinion on the movie. Express your thoughts about the movie, too.^{[9]
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Expert Source

John Keegan
Dating Coach
Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
- For example, you may ask, “So, what did you think of the action scene?” or “Did you enjoy the ending?”
2
Propose going for a drink or snack if your date seems interested. Extend the movie date by proposing that you both go to a nearby bar or cafe to talk more about the movie and hang out. You may suggest that you grab food or a drink close by to spend more time together.
- For example, you may say, “Let's talk some more about the movie over drinks” or “Want to grab some food and chat more about that fight scene?”
EXPERT TIP

John Keegan
Dating Coach
John Keegan is a dating coach and motivational speaker based in New York City. He runs The Awakened Lifestyle, where he uses his expertise in dating, attraction, and social dynamics to help people find love. He teaches and holds dating workshops internationally, from Los Angeles to London and from Rio de Janeiro to Prague. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Humans of New York, and Men's Health.

John Keegan
Dating Coach

Our Expert Agrees: Try having a great place in mind where you can go after the movie. That way, you can talk about your reactions to the film, and you can spend a little more time together if the date is going well.
3
Make arrangements for another date. If your movie date is winding down, end it by suggesting another date in the near future. Maybe you pick another movie to see or you move from a movie date to a dinner date or do another activity.
- For example, you may say to your date, “Want to go see another movie next weekend?” or “How about I take you to dinner and a movie next time?”
4
Say goodbye to your date. End the date by parting with your date in a friendly way. Thank them for a nice time. If they respond positively and tell you they had a good time, too, you may offer to hug them or give them a peck on the cheek. Notice if they are smiling or maintaining eye contact with you, as these are usually signs they enjoyed the date.
- If you have planned another date in the future, you may want to say to your date, "See you soon!" or "I'll contact you next week about dinner, can't wait!"