Americans love the movies. Whether it’s watching Tom Cruise hang from a building or a new rom-com, movies are a nice diversion from the daily grind (if only for a couple of hours), a place to stay cool on hot summer days, and usually provide pure, unadulterated enjoyment.
To make the experience even more pleasant, theaters are now boasting reserved seating, fancier fare than your standard tub of popcorn and soda, and best of all, beer, wine and cocktails—all for a high-end price.
The rise of “dine-in” theaters aims to put the traditional dinner-and-a-movie all in the same place, instead of rushing from one venue to another.
“It’s a way for theater owners to capture that revenue and keep it there instead of seeing it go down the mall,” Patrick Corcoran, vice president and chief communications officer for the National Association of Theatre Owners, told USA Today in an interview.
However, even with all the bells and whistles that are part and parcel of many movie theaters, there are still things you may want to bring to ensure your experience is that much more pleasurable while you watch your favorite flick.