Concerns About Cinema Etiquette as Audience Behaviour and Industry Challenges Change
Introduction
Recent reports of disruptive behaviour in UK cinemas have started a new debate about declining audience manners. Personal stories from filmgoers and social media comments describe incidents involving mobile phone use, loud conversations, and too much noise. Industry representatives and academic experts offer different views on how common such behaviour is and what causes it.
Main Body
A series of personal accounts show the range of disturbances experienced by cinema visitors. A journalist reported that during a screening of the science-fiction film *Project Hail Mary* in London, a person translated dialogue in real time, others looked at their phones, and a family unpacked a picnic. At a Valentine’s Day showing of *Wuthering Heights*, a visitor unwrapped a large chocolate heart, making a crinkling sound. Film TikToker Cerys Hawkes described a screening of the horror film *Smile 2* in 2024, where two men filmed themselves and the screen with flash on, shouted throughout, and only stopped briefly when staff were called. She also recalled the ‘infamous’ *Minecraft Movie* screenings, which involved throwing popcorn and drinks, and even a live chicken being brought into the auditorium. In response, some cinemas issued warnings that loud screaming, clapping, and shouting would not be allowed. However, not all audience participation was seen as negative; comedian Sam Avery described watching the *Minecraft Movie* with his sons as a very joyful experience, and cases of fans singing along to the film *Wicked* in 2024 were noted. Major UK cinema chains have set policies to deal with disruptions. Vue, Odeon, Cineworld, and Everyman all ask visitors to turn off their phones during screenings. Vue additionally asks customers to ‘have consideration for others’, while Odeon requests that they not ‘spoil the enjoyment of others’. Cineworld has the right to ask disruptive customers to leave immediately without a refund. Debrett’s, a UK authority on etiquette, lists recommended behaviours including turning off phones, eating considerately, minimising talking, and disposing of rubbish. Dr Kirsty Sedgman, a lecturer at the University of Bristol who studies audience behaviour, noted that debates about declining audience conduct have occurred for centuries, referencing Plato. However, she argued that a clear change has happened since the COVID-19 pandemic. She warned against blaming this only on lockdown-induced forgetfulness, instead pointing to a weakening of the ‘social contract’ caused by some people breaking lockdown rules. She also identified a ‘collapse of private norms in public spaces’, with attention being distracted and divided by the habit of using phones while watching films at home. This analysis represents her own interpretation rather than a proven fact. James Connor, a senior manager for the UK Cinema Association, stated that for the ‘vast majority of audiences’, cinema remains a very enjoyable shared experience. He asserted that mobile phone use and chatting are not common and do not reflect typical behaviour, and that most visitors follow simple etiquette. The industry context includes financial pressures: US annual domestic box-office earnings remain about 20% below pre-pandemic levels, according to ABC News reporting from the CinemaCon trade show. On the other hand, the UK and Irish box office recorded its best annual performance since the pandemic in the previous year. Connor expressed optimism about the future, mentioning a strong list of upcoming films.
Conclusion
While isolated incidents of disruptive behaviour have attracted attention and led to policy responses, industry data and expert comments suggest that such conduct is not typical for most audiences. The mix of changing social norms, post-pandemic shifts in public behaviour, and the financial health of cinemas creates a complex situation with both challenges and reasons for cautious optimism about the shared cinema experience.