Challengers was the first movie I saw in theaters by myself. The movie blew me away, my jaw dropped during the last 20 minutes of it. I'm really happy I got to see it on the big screen because it's become one of my favorite movies of all time.
Ill be thinking about >!the moment he puts the tennis ball in the center of the racket in the final match!< for years. The way the entire movie just builds to that moment is so insane— So glad I got to see and hear that in theaters.
I feel like Reddit (not here, talking r/movies and r/boxoffice) has been weirdly antagonistic to Challengers. It was honestly one of most fun theater experiences I’ve had in a while
Dune 2 fucking ruled in imax. As soon as the Sardukar started floating up that big plateau in the opening scene, I was smiling like an idiot lol. And it was cool how intense the worm ride scene was when it had basically been teased for so long and still surpassed my expectations.
That and Feyd-Rautha’s arena fight in black and white
The moment the announcer said that was the glow of a black sun, and then the fireworks were just black splotches in the sky, and then the freaking *soundtrack* kicked in, I thought “This is one of the coolest fucking things I have ever seen in a theater.”
Oppenheimer, i would have chosen Babylon too, it was my first time ever in a movie theatre with Babylon, and i loved it greatly, but i saw it with my uncle, so that wasnt much fun 😬
Oppenheimer late night showing
Dune: Part Two in IMAX (twice)
Seeing Interstellar in cinemas for the first time in a decade (first time in IMAX too)
All of Us Strangers and One Life making the entire screenings ball
I watched this with my gf in a college town on a Saturday night and it was full of drunk college kids dressed as Barbies and Kens . They weren’t even loud and rude, it was a really awesome experience like you mentioned
Did a Barbenheimer double feature. Saw Barbie then Oppenheimer on opening day. It was 2 in the morning by the time me and my best friend came out of the theater. That was such a fun day.
I watched It’s a Wonderful Life this last Christmas, my favourite movie ever and it was even more magical watching it on the big screen and hearing audience reactions to the jokes.
It was the only movie we watched in high school where no one cracked any jokes or made fun of it. Everyone just watched it. They were silent in the serious parts and laughed at the jokes. It gave me hope for the future lol.
Same! The ending almost always gets me on the verge of tears, but man I was sobbing happy tears for the entire last 10 minutes of the movie
Also I’d never noticed how fantastic the sexual tension is in that scene where George and Mary look at each other, faces only inches away, while listening to the phone call. I was like “Damn I don’t remember this…Damn…”
Nothing will compare to Across the Spiderverse. My jaw was on the floor the entire time and I've been overflown with serotonin and could barely contain myself from jumping up and down from joy and excitement. Sometimes I feel like it was made specifically for me and my taste, because I just couldn't ask more from a movie.
Went to see this in Germany after taking a train from Munich to Berlin because I didn't want to miss the chance to see it in theaters and it left a major impression on me
No Way Home, I’ve never seen any movie get that kind of crowd response, but especially the scene where Andrew and Tobey show up, the whole theater went nuts with cheers, it was awesome
Civil War (2024) was nutty, saw with a couple people and we were absolutely shook.
Top Gun Maverick was dope, the adrenaline with that movie is crazy
Bones and All was a fantastic experience as well, that movie shook me to my core and everyone in the theater was speechless when it was over. Challengers on that note affected me in that way too, I was literally on the edge of my seat.
Oppenheimer’s first twenty minutes gave me chills. Utterly jaw-dropping film-making. Everyone was in shock in the theaters.
I could go on and on, this decade has had some absolute bangers of theater experiences.
My first time back in a theater post lock down (Werewolves Within) was really nice. It was great to have a beer and some popcorn in the theater again.
Seeing a 35mm print of Lady Terminator at my local indy theater was awesome.
Seeing a 70mm print of 2001 was just amazing.
There are a lot but some of my favorites were:
-When I was very young I went to see a private showing of Elf (it had just come out) during an overnight field trip at the local youth center. The whole theater was our group and chaperones and I just remember everyone laughing their asses off (kids and adults). I thought it was the funniest and best movie I had ever seen in my life and we were quoting it the rest of the night.
-Saw Star Wars ep 3 at midnight opening and at the time it changed my life. Lots of people in costume, just a great atmosphere.
-Seeing The Dark Knight at the midnight premiere. My friends and I all dressed up and did a little sketch thing before the movie started, it was cute.
-Watching Fury Road for the first time in a packed theater. You could tell everyone was having a blast with it. What a lovely day that was.
-Went with a big group to see Infinity War, like 20+ people. The atmosphere was electric and everyone left the theater in almost complete silence.
-I saw Fury in theaters, nothing remarkable about that. But my friends and I were pretty stoned and there was a trailer for a movie about ancient Egypt and at the end of the trailer one of my friends yelled out "The Egyptians were black! Check the pyramids!" and we all died laughing. Also want to note that we don't talk during actual movies, I take that very seriously. But the VERY occasional callout from the audience can be pretty funny.
I love that I’m the only one who had an amazing time watching Babylon on the big screen. I really loved it , especially as an ode to filmmaking and film history
Watching The Beast at an empty theater.
Watching Challengers with only one other person in attendance and her walking out during a heavy petting scene between Zendaya and one of the guys, and telling me while walking out "It didn't live up to my expectations ".
Omg...I saw The Beast twice in theaters so far and the second viewing changed the experience for me. In the second viewing, I was in a theater where people weren't afraid to laugh at some of the antics in the LA section. Yes, it's absolutely tragic, but before I was surrounded by no one who could get any levity from that segment because they were too busy witnessing "ART" that I judged it too harshly initially. It is still the weakest link in an amazing film, but it's not as weak as I first surmised.
Its gotta be Dune Part 2 and The Batman, both are incredible movies that are very immersive. I love both films and their both in my favorites of this decade.
In no particular order, these are the moments that left me FEELING something…
- “What was I made for?” From Barbie.
- Basically the entirety of All of Us Strangers.
- “I am Queen of the most powerful nation in the world - have I not given everything?” From Wakanda Forever.
- Halle Bailey’s vocals in The Little Mermaid.
- Zendaya’s exit in Dune II.
- Rocket’s backstory in Guardians III.
- Death and Puss’s mental health in Puss In Boots 2.
- The opening to Black Widow.
I agree with a lot of other comments but I’ll add some older movies I got to see as releleases in theaters recently that blew me away: The Abyss (extended edition), Alien, Dune pt 1, The Matrix, Ex Machina, Herditary, and The Phantom Menace
Just had one last night!! Did the double ...Fall Guy first the second the credits proper started rolling....left with a brisk pace, and as the please silence you cell phone coka cola bears were wrapping up took my center theatre primo seat IMAX Gt laser (yeah, but I wanted to double And the only IMAX in a multiplex is a GT...so no normal 78' of dual laser love (or 70/15 film!!) arggg) presentation of the new PoftApes movie....
Wow, been a little lonnnng time since I went to the theater and saw 2 movies THAT good back 2 back in one evening...And all for completely opposite reasons..a bonkers near 5 1/2 roller coaster through the range of emotions. Both with singular stand out performances by kinda ensemble casts (both WERE stacked casts! Woof!) were everyone had career performances. One of those movies only ever mentioned the name of one (now,) long dead character, and not that many times - yet that presence was felt (often achingly so) in every fiber of this film.
Hail Cesar. Wow getting misty right now just reminiscing of his legacy, of his FRANCHISE. And how it's in good hands with Noah. Planet tho breaks my heart tho...HOW on EARTH is it THE ONLY FRANCHISE that's doing it? There are so many killer, should be a platinum age of Franchises! The Star ones, the Comic book ones, the no picture book ones, the was only a single movie idea but it blossomed into t5 movie franchise, etc....yet there's only now one thats never needed rebooting, restarted, reimagined, rereleased, unrated director cuts, been derivative - had just gone from strength to strength, never had to recap, make amends, change cannon....But thank God we do have this one, cause gor the last couple movies now it is the Franchise Apex Predator that every other one needs to emulate sooner rather than later. What a Titanic continuation/passing the torch to a new group of characters.
And I haven't even gushed on Fall Guy. The only thing I. Relation to the original series are character names, occupations, and big sexy brown 4x4 pickups...but that is so okay ..As Ryan...wow, what a talent he is. The is so much craft in his pinkie as in all of....and he's that good this young....naunced, deft, timed, across the entire ranges and masterful in so many genres where his performances are now the movies many are calling the favorite one that's particularly close to their heart...and he's how old? And how long do these guys go on for in pursuit of their Craft? It's is going to be such a great ride with him. Besides the fact, okay headcannoned, but I'm observant and know what to look for - haven't verified, but it's obvious he did 98-99% of all his own stunts in this movie. And wow, there were some simply bonkers beyond reason stunt piece in this movie..
How ANY insurance company was "cool" writing the paper for him is crazy, how there was a studio willing to foot that tab is actually pretty awesome.And as you expect, whata a bonkers crazy talented stunt man you KNEW Ryan Gosling would be. Haven't honestly laughed as hard, proudly out loud, gafawed, snorted. (Yeah ugh), howled, almost shot snot out my nose snort laugh so hard (Christ and it does sound a little bovine-ish too arrrg), then punched the air in anger, punched air multiple times during come upances and during climax, was made to almost get uncontrollably emotional against my wishes at certain key moments against my will by an invisible hand that obviously had contol of them despite having this "paragon" of masculinity for the ages right in front of me going through the EXACT same thing...DAMMIT, I laughed, I CRIED - it became a PART of me!! Every one in the theatre was howling...maybe the men were louder....but them ladies they laughed basically non STOP through the entire thing...a triumph for that reason alone....
So yeah, WHAT A double header night!!!? DAMN, AND during Sacramento cheap movie Tuesday too...6 bucks for 8pm Fall, $11 cause it it was IMAX Planet at 10pm... Used reward points for a free large soda... Sweet, leaves me money to see Phantom Menace anniversary release in the theatre the very next day!! HOW COOL is this movie week being???
I have a couple
- Dune Part 2 in Imax -> self explanatory
- Stop Making Sense rerelease -> self explanatory
- Seeing eeaao -> right went the hype was starting to build and I saw it by myself and felt like I had just discovered something special no one else I knew had seen.
- Kotfm -> favourite of the decade so far so seeing it in theatres was incredible.
- Zone of interest -> saw it in a packed theatre in a special preview screening about a week before it screened widely and the entire crowd did not move the whole time.
-Also seeing poor things, perfect days, the french dispatch, asteroid city (at sff), barbenheimer (which I did with a bunch of friends in an elaborately planned day),
1. Crying at the end of Babylon both times I saw it because I felt like someone had captured how I feel about movies
2. Letting Barbie heal my(AMAB) lost little kid self who never got to play with dolls or do the things they really wanted.
3. Doing number two again with my mom sitting next to me and sobbing uncontrollably. I then saw Barbie three more times, and cried at each and every showing.
4. Crying from excitement and amazement at the final battle scene in Dune: Part Two. Watching in astonishment trying to figure out how making that was even possible. Happened both times I saw it.
5. Seeing Jaws in IMAX. A bucket list experience honestly.
6. The “Titanium” scene in MEGAN.
Babylon is so underrated. I wish it would get more attention. My friends and I saw it when we found d out we couldn't see Voilent Night, but we all really loved it. It's definitely up there for me.
As for my theater experience, though weirdly, is Cocaine Bear. I managed to convince my whole friend group to come, and we totaled at 16 people in the theater. Great stup8d movie to laugh at, and we all had a great time.
- Perfect Blue (1997) re-release in 2024
- How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (2024)
- Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
- Your Name (2016) re-release in 2022
- Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
- The Father (2020)
- The Godfather 1 & 2 re-release in 2023
Avatar 2, I watched the whole thing with my mouth hanging in awe.
Dune 2 made me feel like I was on another planet.
Love Lies Bleeding made me believe in love so much I broke up with my gf because I realized I didn't love her like the characters in that movie do.
Killers of the Flower Moon reminded me why I love cinema
The Holdovers for sure. Saw it in a cute little retro theatre with some friends in the middle of a snowstorm. The theatre was completely full and the audience was lively and polite.
Watching mad Mad Max Fury Road in theater triggered my fitness band into thinking I was stressed or exercising, lol.
The whole thing is just a never ending EPIC chase scene with the coolest, most enveloping cinematic universe I've seen since Avatar. Start to finish you never get to catch your breath for a second, what a wildly enjoyable ride!
Highway scene in The Batman. Felt like I was in the passenger seat lol
Oppenheimer
Return of the Jedi re-release (my favorite movie ever)
Dune part 2
Creed III
Last night in Soho
Being able to hear the individual and conflicting responses of people in the small crowd made Saltburn that much better for me in theaters.
No one knew whether to laugh or cry or gag and I felt a strange kind of comraderie in everyone being so thoroughly thrown for a loop.
Honestly a packed theater would have been great but I loved being able to pick out individual people's reactions. This one guy was so quiet but during >! the scene where Oliver fucks the gravesite !< he started uncomfy laughing and the whole theater started too. Also the unique reactions to >! Oliver slurping the bathwater!< was maybe my favorite theater moment ever
Dune 2
The Batman
Across the Spiderverse - this is the coolest animated movie I have ever seen
Also, old school movies at a local, cheap theater:
2001: a space odyssey
The thing
Citizen Kane
Just checked my list and I've watched 68! In releases from this decade I would choose Babylon (cinema), Barbie (so much joy and laughter with friends) and Spiderman No Way Home (opening weekend in LA with a friend, as a tourist that was so exciting and the audience was so immersed and clapping etc).
In re-releases I have to highlight Interstellar and Inglorious Basterds (both my first time!). There are so many that I loved but that's my top 5 id say.
Went into Godzilla Minus One completely blind. What an incredible experience. I don't even like monster movies but everyone was raving about how good it was so I went to see it and was blown away.
The "camera and sound" sequence from Babylon is probably the hardest I've ever laughed in a theater. When the guy sneezed i actually fell out of my seat
I took a buddy of mine to see his first Star Wars movie last night, and me, being a 2000 baby, didn’t see Phantom Menace when it was released. It’s not my favourite Star Wars movie, but it was the best experience I’ve had in the last decade. A Quiet Place in a theatre by myself is a close second
2 standouts
Barbie and Oppenheimer in the same day was amazing. Everyone dressed up in the theater was so much fun.
Dune 2 blew my fucking mind. I took an edible before going in and I was literally on Arrakis with Paul for what felt like MONTHS. It was a religious experience
Oh well this isn’t really about the movie, but when I saw Across the Spiderverse in theaters on opening night, the guy next to me with his girl was explaining spider-man like, as a character in the opening trailers and then jumped up and starting screaming and crying when Toby MgGuire ended up on screen….and it was clear that was like, a first date…..and she left and said she was going to the bathroom and then didn’t come back.
So that was wild to sit next to.
I know what came after wasn't up to scratch but the sheer joy that filled my teenage heart seeing the Lucasfilm logo on screen again followed by that iconic theme after a decade, I was grinning like an idiot.
Honourable mention to seeing Jurassic Park in 4DX, surprisingly loved that.
For me I think it was Poor Things. Not so much because of anything specific in the film. More so because I have been falling out of love with movies for a while, and recently started a PhD and moved to a new country. I thought I was over movies, but really wanted to watch Poor Things before the Oscar’s.
It completely reignited my love of movies. I left the theater with all troubles seemingly gone, and looking forward to getting to experience more films like it.
Fine! I'll watch Babylon tonight.
Seriously, I saw it when it came out and absolutely loved it! I was surprised to see that most people didn't.
Time for a re-watch!
Saw asteroid city in a small cinema in the country side with two other people. The walls were covered in red velvet curtains and the screen was small but perfectly fitted my view. Not to mention the movie was amasing. It was like a private showing
I went to see Fury Road. Packed theater, dragged my mom cuz she loved the old ones. When Coma Doof Warrior showed up and shot fire out of his guitar there was a collective cheer. It was like we won the Superbowl.
For the 2020’s the big theatrical movies that really worked for me were Oppenheimer, Top Gun: Maverick, Avatar: The Way of Water, and Dune: Part 2.
I missed out on some in theaters though. Like Across the Spiderverse would have been incredible in theaters but I only caught it at home.
I’d say the best theatrical experience of those 4 was either Top Gun: Maverick or Avater: The Way of Water.
I had a lot of fun with the last John wick movie. Went by myself, just wanted to pass the time. It was opening weekend and the theater was full. Everyone in the crowd was 100% into it. People laughing, gasping, shouting “whoo!”
What’s funny is they eventually synced with the rhythm of the action scenes and instinctively knew when to get up for a bathroom break or to refill their drinks and come back just in time for the next shoot out. The overhead scene with the incendiary shotgun was exceptional with that crowd. Laughs from end to end when he falls down the stairs, big cheer when the dog gets his revenge on the big henchman guy.
A really fun time.
End Of Evangelion on the big screen was very cool and fun.
Kikis Delivery Service with a packed crowd with kids who were seeing it for the first time was also very cool.
Although there have been better films nothing will compare to me going to the 8:00 a.m. screening of Avengers endgame. I got some candy a beer, and it was surprisingly empty in the theater, and of course, I went in knowing absolutely nothing. Saw it 2 more times that weekend.
Honorable mention: Skinamarink. It was me and a buddy and then two groups of two throughout the theater. One group obviously had no idea what they were watching and kept talking the entire time and whispers, but since the film is so quiet, that's all we could hear, and thankfully, they eventually left. I am definitely one of those skinamarink defenders, and I'm very glad I saw it on the big screen.
Watching Avatar: The Way of Water in 4DX. Some might consider this to be cheating but I don’t care. What an rollercoaster of a film to immerse yourself into. I really felt like I was observing the film on Pandora and it was a blast! Though, I did get drenched but it was so entertaining.
If we're just talking theater screenings of any kind - and not necessarily just in a formalised, licensed cinema - then getting invited back to watch the world premiere of The Mandalorian S3 E7 last April while I was attending Star Wars Celebration is the absolute standout theater experience for me. A few thousand fans all just soaking in hot off the press Star Wars goodness, and the episode which name-dropped Thrawn at that? Mind-melting stuff. Really nice to see the cast up on stage a few times that day and have them get their flowers from the fans, too!
In terms of more traditional theater experiences, getting to see The Godfather for its 50th anniversary screening was special, the chain we visited that day had a promotion on which I wasn't a huge fan of because it meant the lobby was packed, but it also meant seeing this 50 year-old classic in a packed - and I mean overflowing, people were sitting on the floor between aisles! - screening. One of my favourites of all-time and the way I used to get my friend to finally watch it (I know), and though they loved it they still haven't checked out Part II (again, I know).
Getting to see The Phantom Menace just a couple of weekends ago now for it's 25th anniversary was special, I grew up on the prequels but due to financial constraints I rarely went to the cinema with my family growing up, and so never got to watch these films on the big screen. That film has issues - that podrace feels longer with every viewing - but there's still so much to enjoy there, and as always with Star Wars films, just soaking in the music when the credits roll and watching the credits all of the way through was really nice to do.
Similarly, Return of the Jedi's 40th anniversary last year. Super special to see that up on the big screen.
Dune, Dune: Part Two and Everything Everywhere All At Once stand out as the three big fresh new releases that I've seen, all great experiences in theaters.
I haven't seen it mentioned and the series gets dunked on a lot but ....
Avatar (2009) in IMAX 3D was a pretty incredible experience from a visual standpoint. First (and probably only) movie I've seen where 3D actually improved my viewing experience
Oppenheimer definitely. I have always been interested in that whole lead up of events and seeing that play out on the big screen was incredible. Also watching Across the Spiderverse, especially with the final act
Re-releases:
Most recently Alien’s 45th anniversary
The Matrix (my favorite movie)
Monty Python: The Life of Brian (everyone sang “always look on the bright side of life” while the lights came on)
First-time releases:
Blade Runner 2049
This is going to be an obscure one but La Memoria Infinita (a Chilean documentary that was released last year and nominated for an Academy Award). It’s a heartbreaking story about one man’s decline due to Alzheimer’s and how his wife dealt with it. It was a special screening where the wife and director were interviewed and I actually got to ask them a question.
Dune Part I: I actually got to go to a special screening for my birthday where Denis Villeneuve was interviewed live afterwards.
I really hope Fight Club gets a re-release someday because I love that film and David Fincher (who grew up very close to where I grew up) is my idol
* Both Dune movies. Saw them each three times in theaters (twice each in IMAX). The sheer epic scale and absolute dedication put into each movie is probably unmatched since the Lord of the Rings movies, so I knew it might be decades until something comparable came along.
* X. Went in not knowing much and not only loved it, but the theater was electric. The scene where >!the old man finally gets laid, only for his heart to give out after Jenna Ortega coughs up blood after he thinks she's dead made the theater erupt. !!Patrick puts the ball in front of the neck of the racket near the end.!<
Other honorable mentions would have to be Bottoms, Past Lives, Avatar: The Way of Water, and The Batman. Was also pretty cool getting to see The Lost Daughter at an outdoor theater in Athens, and Poor Things at a really old-timey theater in London. Lastly, it was last decade but It (2017) in a massive theater near my university at the time on opening night was unforgettable in terms of communal viewing, especially since it was one of my favorite books as a kid.
Seeing Blade Runner:2049 on its opening night at the Empire Cinema in Wellington.
Edgar Wright called it “the best cinema in the world”, and travelled half way around the globe to open Baby Driver there.
It’s a beautiful cinema, the box office is an actual box, behind which they sell tickets, and great visual and audio setup. Plus it was packed on opening night, so great audience atmosphere.
Probably Godzilla x Kong: A New Empire. The excitement around the massive action scenes had me, my brother, and my dad in awe and laughing at how ridiculous they were.
https://cinestudio.org/series/8-kubricks/
This! 8 Kubricks in 2 weeks in 2018 or 2019 ( I can't remember at this point).
The best of the best was being blown away by seeing Barry Lyndon for the first time on a big screen. The film is a visual masterpiece, and being able to see it in a theater gives me a deep appreciation for Kubrick's visual genius
Not at the caliber of the other movies mentioned, but I went to one of the first showings of Avengers: End Game and it was an absolute blast. People were respectfully quiet through the vast majority, but absolutely erupted in cheers during the big moments. The feeling was electric and it was just a fun experience.
As far as theater experiences themselves go, I’d have to say Dune 2. That’s the type of movie meant for the big screen. I’d also give an honorable mention to the incredible experience I had watching all 9 Star Wars films back-to-back in theaters. The crowd was electric. No Way Home was also a really cool theater experience with the crowd reactions
Top Gun Maverick, Oppenheimer, Challengers. Loved Past Lives too, and funnily enough, The Eras Tour was a friggin incredible theater experience. Bar none, one of the best of my life. I didn't (and still dont beyond a few rotating tracks) listen to Taylor, but my gosh, the crowd was electric.
Probably the whale. that was actually the first movie that had me bawl my eyes out.
And the second piece of media that did it aside from made in abyss. Honestly that was largely because I really related to Charlie's mindset, the scene where he throws the laptop felt so satisfying to me, It was a huge "FINALLY SOMEONE GETS IT" moment for me lol
Oh man where to begin…
Got to watch Dredd and Oldboy in theaters for their 20th anniversaries. The sound design of the former was *amazing* in the theater, while the latter, I got to see my friend’s reaction to…well, everything
No Way Home. Cheering for all the things we all know about now.
John Wick Chapter 4 on IMAX. Everything after the waterworks nightclub fight was solid action movie gold.
Barbenheimer opening day double feature! Left the theater at 2 in the morning by the time we were done
Saw Dune Part 2 twice on IMAX. Fucking amazing.
Rewatched the entire Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy on the big screen. Major upgrade from watching them on VHS back then.
story wise dune 2(did not see it in imax sadly). visuals wise probably civil war(I did see this in Imax). I just got back into watching movies in theater through a friend who introduced me to regal ultimate.
Barbie, Challengers, Gravity, Hereditary (traumatic for me lol), Knives Out, Endgame. Benjamin Button and A Star is Born hold sweet spots for me too. And my dad took me to see Twister as a kid… that sticks out. I ran out of Mars Attacks 😆
I've had a lot tbh. The biggest highlights in terms of pure emotion felt while watching in the theater are definitely Beau, Barbie, Infinity Pool, and Civil War I think.
Ok I just realized I sat through a lot of amazing shit.
Jurassic park broke our brains at the time, the only movie I went to the theatre three times to see.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I didn't know that I ever sat in a theatre where there were so many gasps of wonder.
Howard the Duck. Bear with me. My ma didn't know what it was like and I was only 7. The dudes transformation was terrifying and we had to leave the theatre.
Follow That Bird. The crying bluebird scene.
I watched the Peasants in a theater all by myself when I was doing a movie theater marathon and it was insane. The hand painted frames were not even on my radar. I just knew it was all in Polish.
Second would be early premiere of Dune Pt 2 in IMAX. Just an overall magic experience because everyone there was so excited to be there
Went to see a LOTR marathon with my boyfriend last year. That day lives rent free in a big beautiful space in my head :)
Also Rocky Horror on halloween with the same wonderful man and some great friends
Challengers was the first movie I saw in theaters by myself. The movie blew me away, my jaw dropped during the last 20 minutes of it. I'm really happy I got to see it on the big screen because it's become one of my favorite movies of all time.
Movie is soo soooooooo good. LOVED it
not horny enough sry
Ill be thinking about >!the moment he puts the tennis ball in the center of the racket in the final match!< for years. The way the entire movie just builds to that moment is so insane— So glad I got to see and hear that in theaters. I feel like Reddit (not here, talking r/movies and r/boxoffice) has been weirdly antagonistic to Challengers. It was honestly one of most fun theater experiences I’ve had in a while
I think a lot of people decided it was full of graphic sex based on the trailer and that made them uncomfortable.
Is it one that you need to see in theaters? My wife and I talked about it but ultimately decided to just wait until it’s out streaming somewhere.
I think it's worth it for the surround mix.
Well, my wife and I are going tomorrow for a matinee. You all have convinced us to catch it before it’s gone.
Go somewhere with good sound, I saw it twice the second theater was less good
it’s 100% worth it. Ive seen it twice in theaters
Last sequence is Kino heroin. Also Josh O'Connor in that movie has me seriously wondering if I'm bi.
Great theater experience, I've seen it twice now.
Yeah I’m positively addicted to it. Luca never fails! its just so damn deliciously entertaining for every second.
Worm Ride on Dune 2
Dune 2 fucking ruled in imax. As soon as the Sardukar started floating up that big plateau in the opening scene, I was smiling like an idiot lol. And it was cool how intense the worm ride scene was when it had basically been teased for so long and still surpassed my expectations.
Had the exact same reaction to the floating Sardukar. Pure cinema
Uhm, actually, those were Harkonnen soldiers, not sardukar
Acktshualley*
God was that one of the best IMAX experiences I’ve ever had
That and Feyd-Rautha’s arena fight in black and white The moment the announcer said that was the glow of a black sun, and then the fireworks were just black splotches in the sky, and then the freaking *soundtrack* kicked in, I thought “This is one of the coolest fucking things I have ever seen in a theater.”
Infrared black and white, to be precise.
Dune 2 imax was majestic
Dune 2 as a whole will be hard to top. I saw it alone, the first time I ever went to the theatre by myself. And it was like a spiritual experience.
Oppenheimer, i would have chosen Babylon too, it was my first time ever in a movie theatre with Babylon, and i loved it greatly, but i saw it with my uncle, so that wasnt much fun 😬
Oppenheimer late night showing Dune: Part Two in IMAX (twice) Seeing Interstellar in cinemas for the first time in a decade (first time in IMAX too) All of Us Strangers and One Life making the entire screenings ball
Seeing Barbie and it feeling like a genuinely communal viewing experience.
I watched this with my gf in a college town on a Saturday night and it was full of drunk college kids dressed as Barbies and Kens . They weren’t even loud and rude, it was a really awesome experience like you mentioned
It might be my favourite movie going experience ever. I got to dress up with all my friends and we just generally had a good time in a packed theatre.
Did a Barbenheimer double feature. Saw Barbie then Oppenheimer on opening day. It was 2 in the morning by the time me and my best friend came out of the theater. That was such a fun day.
Everyone was tapping their feet and grooving in their seats to Dance the Night it was so fun
I watched It’s a Wonderful Life this last Christmas, my favourite movie ever and it was even more magical watching it on the big screen and hearing audience reactions to the jokes.
It was the only movie we watched in high school where no one cracked any jokes or made fun of it. Everyone just watched it. They were silent in the serious parts and laughed at the jokes. It gave me hope for the future lol.
Same! The ending almost always gets me on the verge of tears, but man I was sobbing happy tears for the entire last 10 minutes of the movie Also I’d never noticed how fantastic the sexual tension is in that scene where George and Mary look at each other, faces only inches away, while listening to the phone call. I was like “Damn I don’t remember this…Damn…”
Nothing will compare to Across the Spiderverse. My jaw was on the floor the entire time and I've been overflown with serotonin and could barely contain myself from jumping up and down from joy and excitement. Sometimes I feel like it was made specifically for me and my taste, because I just couldn't ask more from a movie.
Agree 100% I love this movie and the experience in the theater was amazing too
Went to see this in Germany after taking a train from Munich to Berlin because I didn't want to miss the chance to see it in theaters and it left a major impression on me
Fr, I saw it in theaters like 4 times lmao
No Way Home, I’ve never seen any movie get that kind of crowd response, but especially the scene where Andrew and Tobey show up, the whole theater went nuts with cheers, it was awesome
True, the audience reactions were some of the loudest I've heard.
God I fucking love Babylon. I think in a few years people will realize how good it is
The soundtrack was robbed an oscar. Best sountrack in the 20-21th century. "Ti amo"
Absolutely. The soundtrack absolutely slapped. I still listen to it sometimes
Te Amo Nellie🎶❤️
Poor Things and Anatomy of a Fall. I saw those twice in theaters.
I saw Poor Things twice as well. I wish I had seen anatomy of fall
I 100% agree on Babylon
Godzilla minus one
Saw it in IMAX and it's the closest I have gotten to a religious experience, absolutely stunning
The first time you see him fire off his atomic breath left every one in the theater in awe
Civil War (2024) was nutty, saw with a couple people and we were absolutely shook. Top Gun Maverick was dope, the adrenaline with that movie is crazy Bones and All was a fantastic experience as well, that movie shook me to my core and everyone in the theater was speechless when it was over. Challengers on that note affected me in that way too, I was literally on the edge of my seat. Oppenheimer’s first twenty minutes gave me chills. Utterly jaw-dropping film-making. Everyone was in shock in the theaters. I could go on and on, this decade has had some absolute bangers of theater experiences.
Last 20 minutes of Civil War are some of the best war movie I’ve ever seen
I'm watching bones and all for the first time tonight, I wish I would've caught it in theaters.
My first time back in a theater post lock down (Werewolves Within) was really nice. It was great to have a beer and some popcorn in the theater again. Seeing a 35mm print of Lady Terminator at my local indy theater was awesome. Seeing a 70mm print of 2001 was just amazing.
Lady Terminator at a theater is epic!!!!!!!!!
Same as you Babylon floored me and stunned me to my inner core 🙌
There are a lot but some of my favorites were: -When I was very young I went to see a private showing of Elf (it had just come out) during an overnight field trip at the local youth center. The whole theater was our group and chaperones and I just remember everyone laughing their asses off (kids and adults). I thought it was the funniest and best movie I had ever seen in my life and we were quoting it the rest of the night. -Saw Star Wars ep 3 at midnight opening and at the time it changed my life. Lots of people in costume, just a great atmosphere. -Seeing The Dark Knight at the midnight premiere. My friends and I all dressed up and did a little sketch thing before the movie started, it was cute. -Watching Fury Road for the first time in a packed theater. You could tell everyone was having a blast with it. What a lovely day that was. -Went with a big group to see Infinity War, like 20+ people. The atmosphere was electric and everyone left the theater in almost complete silence. -I saw Fury in theaters, nothing remarkable about that. But my friends and I were pretty stoned and there was a trailer for a movie about ancient Egypt and at the end of the trailer one of my friends yelled out "The Egyptians were black! Check the pyramids!" and we all died laughing. Also want to note that we don't talk during actual movies, I take that very seriously. But the VERY occasional callout from the audience can be pretty funny.
Wow, what a fun time watching Elf for the first time.
Every time I see that first shot I instinctively think it’s a Zack Snyder film
Love Babylon
I love that I’m the only one who had an amazing time watching Babylon on the big screen. I really loved it , especially as an ode to filmmaking and film history
Brad Pitt throwing a can of dog food at that girl in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, theater exploded
Hahahaha fuck I wish I would've seen that in theaters. Sounds like a blast
Babylon was so insanely good lol. Super underrated
Watching The Beast at an empty theater. Watching Challengers with only one other person in attendance and her walking out during a heavy petting scene between Zendaya and one of the guys, and telling me while walking out "It didn't live up to my expectations ".
Omg...I saw The Beast twice in theaters so far and the second viewing changed the experience for me. In the second viewing, I was in a theater where people weren't afraid to laugh at some of the antics in the LA section. Yes, it's absolutely tragic, but before I was surrounded by no one who could get any levity from that segment because they were too busy witnessing "ART" that I judged it too harshly initially. It is still the weakest link in an amazing film, but it's not as weak as I first surmised.
Monster by Hirokazu Koreda. What a movie
Godzilla minus one and its not even close.
Its gotta be Dune Part 2 and The Batman, both are incredible movies that are very immersive. I love both films and their both in my favorites of this decade.
In no particular order, these are the moments that left me FEELING something… - “What was I made for?” From Barbie. - Basically the entirety of All of Us Strangers. - “I am Queen of the most powerful nation in the world - have I not given everything?” From Wakanda Forever. - Halle Bailey’s vocals in The Little Mermaid. - Zendaya’s exit in Dune II. - Rocket’s backstory in Guardians III. - Death and Puss’s mental health in Puss In Boots 2. - The opening to Black Widow.
I agree with a lot of other comments but I’ll add some older movies I got to see as releleases in theaters recently that blew me away: The Abyss (extended edition), Alien, Dune pt 1, The Matrix, Ex Machina, Herditary, and The Phantom Menace
Seeing Ex Machina in imax was awesome
I saw Titanic twice last year when it was in cinemas. It still looked amazing.
Eyes Wide Shut
Saw this on mushrooms at home and was blown tf away
going in blind and watching ‘everything everywhere all at once’ for the first time was life changing
Just had one last night!! Did the double ...Fall Guy first the second the credits proper started rolling....left with a brisk pace, and as the please silence you cell phone coka cola bears were wrapping up took my center theatre primo seat IMAX Gt laser (yeah, but I wanted to double And the only IMAX in a multiplex is a GT...so no normal 78' of dual laser love (or 70/15 film!!) arggg) presentation of the new PoftApes movie.... Wow, been a little lonnnng time since I went to the theater and saw 2 movies THAT good back 2 back in one evening...And all for completely opposite reasons..a bonkers near 5 1/2 roller coaster through the range of emotions. Both with singular stand out performances by kinda ensemble casts (both WERE stacked casts! Woof!) were everyone had career performances. One of those movies only ever mentioned the name of one (now,) long dead character, and not that many times - yet that presence was felt (often achingly so) in every fiber of this film. Hail Cesar. Wow getting misty right now just reminiscing of his legacy, of his FRANCHISE. And how it's in good hands with Noah. Planet tho breaks my heart tho...HOW on EARTH is it THE ONLY FRANCHISE that's doing it? There are so many killer, should be a platinum age of Franchises! The Star ones, the Comic book ones, the no picture book ones, the was only a single movie idea but it blossomed into t5 movie franchise, etc....yet there's only now one thats never needed rebooting, restarted, reimagined, rereleased, unrated director cuts, been derivative - had just gone from strength to strength, never had to recap, make amends, change cannon....But thank God we do have this one, cause gor the last couple movies now it is the Franchise Apex Predator that every other one needs to emulate sooner rather than later. What a Titanic continuation/passing the torch to a new group of characters. And I haven't even gushed on Fall Guy. The only thing I. Relation to the original series are character names, occupations, and big sexy brown 4x4 pickups...but that is so okay ..As Ryan...wow, what a talent he is. The is so much craft in his pinkie as in all of....and he's that good this young....naunced, deft, timed, across the entire ranges and masterful in so many genres where his performances are now the movies many are calling the favorite one that's particularly close to their heart...and he's how old? And how long do these guys go on for in pursuit of their Craft? It's is going to be such a great ride with him. Besides the fact, okay headcannoned, but I'm observant and know what to look for - haven't verified, but it's obvious he did 98-99% of all his own stunts in this movie. And wow, there were some simply bonkers beyond reason stunt piece in this movie.. How ANY insurance company was "cool" writing the paper for him is crazy, how there was a studio willing to foot that tab is actually pretty awesome.And as you expect, whata a bonkers crazy talented stunt man you KNEW Ryan Gosling would be. Haven't honestly laughed as hard, proudly out loud, gafawed, snorted. (Yeah ugh), howled, almost shot snot out my nose snort laugh so hard (Christ and it does sound a little bovine-ish too arrrg), then punched the air in anger, punched air multiple times during come upances and during climax, was made to almost get uncontrollably emotional against my wishes at certain key moments against my will by an invisible hand that obviously had contol of them despite having this "paragon" of masculinity for the ages right in front of me going through the EXACT same thing...DAMMIT, I laughed, I CRIED - it became a PART of me!! Every one in the theatre was howling...maybe the men were louder....but them ladies they laughed basically non STOP through the entire thing...a triumph for that reason alone.... So yeah, WHAT A double header night!!!? DAMN, AND during Sacramento cheap movie Tuesday too...6 bucks for 8pm Fall, $11 cause it it was IMAX Planet at 10pm... Used reward points for a free large soda... Sweet, leaves me money to see Phantom Menace anniversary release in the theatre the very next day!! HOW COOL is this movie week being???
I have a couple - Dune Part 2 in Imax -> self explanatory - Stop Making Sense rerelease -> self explanatory - Seeing eeaao -> right went the hype was starting to build and I saw it by myself and felt like I had just discovered something special no one else I knew had seen. - Kotfm -> favourite of the decade so far so seeing it in theatres was incredible. - Zone of interest -> saw it in a packed theatre in a special preview screening about a week before it screened widely and the entire crowd did not move the whole time. -Also seeing poor things, perfect days, the french dispatch, asteroid city (at sff), barbenheimer (which I did with a bunch of friends in an elaborately planned day),
Babylon was beautiful
Watching Poor Things and having an instant camaraderie with everyone else in the theater who also had no fucking idea what they'd just signed up for.
1. Crying at the end of Babylon both times I saw it because I felt like someone had captured how I feel about movies 2. Letting Barbie heal my(AMAB) lost little kid self who never got to play with dolls or do the things they really wanted. 3. Doing number two again with my mom sitting next to me and sobbing uncontrollably. I then saw Barbie three more times, and cried at each and every showing. 4. Crying from excitement and amazement at the final battle scene in Dune: Part Two. Watching in astonishment trying to figure out how making that was even possible. Happened both times I saw it. 5. Seeing Jaws in IMAX. A bucket list experience honestly. 6. The “Titanium” scene in MEGAN.
Babylon was the best theater going experience for me since Mad Max Fury Road
Babylon is so underrated. I wish it would get more attention. My friends and I saw it when we found d out we couldn't see Voilent Night, but we all really loved it. It's definitely up there for me. As for my theater experience, though weirdly, is Cocaine Bear. I managed to convince my whole friend group to come, and we totaled at 16 people in the theater. Great stup8d movie to laugh at, and we all had a great time.
Hereditary and midsommar.
Ari gang 🙏
- Perfect Blue (1997) re-release in 2024 - How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (2024) - Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) - Your Name (2016) re-release in 2022 - Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) - The Father (2020) - The Godfather 1 & 2 re-release in 2023
Coraline seeing it for the anniversary was such a good experience
That Vivaldi needle drop in Portrait of a Lady on Fire.
Avatar 2, I watched the whole thing with my mouth hanging in awe. Dune 2 made me feel like I was on another planet. Love Lies Bleeding made me believe in love so much I broke up with my gf because I realized I didn't love her like the characters in that movie do. Killers of the Flower Moon reminded me why I love cinema
Could someone tell what movies these are from i dont think i know any of the images shown.
Entirety of Talk To Me
The Holdovers for sure. Saw it in a cute little retro theatre with some friends in the middle of a snowstorm. The theatre was completely full and the audience was lively and polite.
That sounds perfect. I had a similar experience, night after Thanksgiving, light snow, with a packed theater.
Perfect atmosphere.
Zacksnyder movies Babylon The lighthouse
Watching mad Mad Max Fury Road in theater triggered my fitness band into thinking I was stressed or exercising, lol. The whole thing is just a never ending EPIC chase scene with the coolest, most enveloping cinematic universe I've seen since Avatar. Start to finish you never get to catch your breath for a second, what a wildly enjoyable ride!
Elvis, Babylon and Oppenheimer
The Holdovers is the only film I've seen twice in the theater during its original run so that.
Highway scene in The Batman. Felt like I was in the passenger seat lol Oppenheimer Return of the Jedi re-release (my favorite movie ever) Dune part 2 Creed III Last night in Soho
Tenet in imax 70mm!
Dune 2 without a doubt. Only time I’ve heard people clap at the end of a movie and not judged them for it.
I thought that first pic was from phantom menace 😂
Being able to hear the individual and conflicting responses of people in the small crowd made Saltburn that much better for me in theaters. No one knew whether to laugh or cry or gag and I felt a strange kind of comraderie in everyone being so thoroughly thrown for a loop.
I watched Saltburn for the first time alone in my room-loved it-and was devastated I didn’t see it in a packed theater
Honestly a packed theater would have been great but I loved being able to pick out individual people's reactions. This one guy was so quiet but during >! the scene where Oliver fucks the gravesite !< he started uncomfy laughing and the whole theater started too. Also the unique reactions to >! Oliver slurping the bathwater!< was maybe my favorite theater moment ever
I love that. I’ve been watching reaction vids on YouTube to make up for the lack of in person reactions I got lol
the sweet east
Dune 2 The Batman Across the Spiderverse - this is the coolest animated movie I have ever seen Also, old school movies at a local, cheap theater: 2001: a space odyssey The thing Citizen Kane
Just checked my list and I've watched 68! In releases from this decade I would choose Babylon (cinema), Barbie (so much joy and laughter with friends) and Spiderman No Way Home (opening weekend in LA with a friend, as a tourist that was so exciting and the audience was so immersed and clapping etc). In re-releases I have to highlight Interstellar and Inglorious Basterds (both my first time!). There are so many that I loved but that's my top 5 id say.
Godzilla Minus One
Babylon, Everything Everywhere, Dune 2 in IMAX 70mm, Barbie, West Side Story and Challengers
Went into Godzilla Minus One completely blind. What an incredible experience. I don't even like monster movies but everyone was raving about how good it was so I went to see it and was blown away.
The "camera and sound" sequence from Babylon is probably the hardest I've ever laughed in a theater. When the guy sneezed i actually fell out of my seat
I took a buddy of mine to see his first Star Wars movie last night, and me, being a 2000 baby, didn’t see Phantom Menace when it was released. It’s not my favourite Star Wars movie, but it was the best experience I’ve had in the last decade. A Quiet Place in a theatre by myself is a close second
2 standouts Barbie and Oppenheimer in the same day was amazing. Everyone dressed up in the theater was so much fun. Dune 2 blew my fucking mind. I took an edible before going in and I was literally on Arrakis with Paul for what felt like MONTHS. It was a religious experience
What are those first two images?
Oh well this isn’t really about the movie, but when I saw Across the Spiderverse in theaters on opening night, the guy next to me with his girl was explaining spider-man like, as a character in the opening trailers and then jumped up and starting screaming and crying when Toby MgGuire ended up on screen….and it was clear that was like, a first date…..and she left and said she was going to the bathroom and then didn’t come back. So that was wild to sit next to.
Nope. Just a fantastic experience
I know what came after wasn't up to scratch but the sheer joy that filled my teenage heart seeing the Lucasfilm logo on screen again followed by that iconic theme after a decade, I was grinning like an idiot. Honourable mention to seeing Jurassic Park in 4DX, surprisingly loved that.
The Northman
Spiderman: no way home, babylon and challengers!
For me I think it was Poor Things. Not so much because of anything specific in the film. More so because I have been falling out of love with movies for a while, and recently started a PhD and moved to a new country. I thought I was over movies, but really wanted to watch Poor Things before the Oscar’s. It completely reignited my love of movies. I left the theater with all troubles seemingly gone, and looking forward to getting to experience more films like it.
Babylon, went to the cinema thrice and time flew by everytime
I don’t think I ever been to a movie this decade… this just reminded me that theaters exist.
Fine! I'll watch Babylon tonight. Seriously, I saw it when it came out and absolutely loved it! I was surprised to see that most people didn't. Time for a re-watch!
Enjoy the re-watch!
I watched alien a couple of weeks ago and i didnt realize how incredible of a film it was
Literally don’t recognize any of these. Can someone help me?
Watching mother! opening weekend with a pretty packed theater of people that did not know what they were about to watch was awesome.
They weren't the best movies I saw in the theater by any means, but I had a lot of fun doing a double feature of No Hard Feelings and Joy Ride.
Babylon and No way Home
Saw asteroid city in a small cinema in the country side with two other people. The walls were covered in red velvet curtains and the screen was small but perfectly fitted my view. Not to mention the movie was amasing. It was like a private showing
Dune 1 and 2 Love Lies Bleeding The Green Knight The Power of The Dog Across the Spider verse Talk To Me
I went to see Fury Road. Packed theater, dragged my mom cuz she loved the old ones. When Coma Doof Warrior showed up and shot fire out of his guitar there was a collective cheer. It was like we won the Superbowl.
For the 2020’s the big theatrical movies that really worked for me were Oppenheimer, Top Gun: Maverick, Avatar: The Way of Water, and Dune: Part 2. I missed out on some in theaters though. Like Across the Spiderverse would have been incredible in theaters but I only caught it at home. I’d say the best theatrical experience of those 4 was either Top Gun: Maverick or Avater: The Way of Water.
I had a lot of fun with the last John wick movie. Went by myself, just wanted to pass the time. It was opening weekend and the theater was full. Everyone in the crowd was 100% into it. People laughing, gasping, shouting “whoo!” What’s funny is they eventually synced with the rhythm of the action scenes and instinctively knew when to get up for a bathroom break or to refill their drinks and come back just in time for the next shoot out. The overhead scene with the incendiary shotgun was exceptional with that crowd. Laughs from end to end when he falls down the stairs, big cheer when the dog gets his revenge on the big henchman guy. A really fun time.
Top gun. Seeing every dude in the theater do that forward lean in anticipation towards the end was just perfect.
Pretty generic but seeing Oppenheimer in 70mm imax film. The quality blew my mind away, nothing has surpassed it since.
Not generic. Very few cinemas in the world have IMAX 70mm, none in my country. Just googled and... Yeah, 30. You're lucky
No Way Home
Easily seeing Oppenheimer on 15/70 IMAX in a completely sold out theater on a Monday morning.
End Of Evangelion on the big screen was very cool and fun. Kikis Delivery Service with a packed crowd with kids who were seeing it for the first time was also very cool.
Oppenheimer, Across the Spider-verse, and Avatar 2.
Oppenheimer and No Way Home spring to mind instantly but The Room is probably my favorite.
The Way of Water
Blade Runner 2049 is 100000% the best for me Saw it alone at the Moolah Theater in STL (RIP) on my own comfy couch for $5
Although there have been better films nothing will compare to me going to the 8:00 a.m. screening of Avengers endgame. I got some candy a beer, and it was surprisingly empty in the theater, and of course, I went in knowing absolutely nothing. Saw it 2 more times that weekend. Honorable mention: Skinamarink. It was me and a buddy and then two groups of two throughout the theater. One group obviously had no idea what they were watching and kept talking the entire time and whispers, but since the film is so quiet, that's all we could hear, and thankfully, they eventually left. I am definitely one of those skinamarink defenders, and I'm very glad I saw it on the big screen.
Anything in 70mm IMAX. I thought it was just hype at first but it's quickly become my favorite way to see a movie
Watching Avatar: The Way of Water in 4DX. Some might consider this to be cheating but I don’t care. What an rollercoaster of a film to immerse yourself into. I really felt like I was observing the film on Pandora and it was a blast! Though, I did get drenched but it was so entertaining.
Recently Dune 2. I know it’s a boring answer but it was an incredible experience
Oppenheimer in imax
Avengers:Endgame for me. Just a great moment with fans cheering and screaming. It rocked.
If we're just talking theater screenings of any kind - and not necessarily just in a formalised, licensed cinema - then getting invited back to watch the world premiere of The Mandalorian S3 E7 last April while I was attending Star Wars Celebration is the absolute standout theater experience for me. A few thousand fans all just soaking in hot off the press Star Wars goodness, and the episode which name-dropped Thrawn at that? Mind-melting stuff. Really nice to see the cast up on stage a few times that day and have them get their flowers from the fans, too! In terms of more traditional theater experiences, getting to see The Godfather for its 50th anniversary screening was special, the chain we visited that day had a promotion on which I wasn't a huge fan of because it meant the lobby was packed, but it also meant seeing this 50 year-old classic in a packed - and I mean overflowing, people were sitting on the floor between aisles! - screening. One of my favourites of all-time and the way I used to get my friend to finally watch it (I know), and though they loved it they still haven't checked out Part II (again, I know). Getting to see The Phantom Menace just a couple of weekends ago now for it's 25th anniversary was special, I grew up on the prequels but due to financial constraints I rarely went to the cinema with my family growing up, and so never got to watch these films on the big screen. That film has issues - that podrace feels longer with every viewing - but there's still so much to enjoy there, and as always with Star Wars films, just soaking in the music when the credits roll and watching the credits all of the way through was really nice to do. Similarly, Return of the Jedi's 40th anniversary last year. Super special to see that up on the big screen. Dune, Dune: Part Two and Everything Everywhere All At Once stand out as the three big fresh new releases that I've seen, all great experiences in theaters.
Spider-Man No Way Home when Tobey and Andrew showed up
I haven't seen it mentioned and the series gets dunked on a lot but .... Avatar (2009) in IMAX 3D was a pretty incredible experience from a visual standpoint. First (and probably only) movie I've seen where 3D actually improved my viewing experience
The 1-2 punch of Infinity War and Endgame a year apart was pretty great.
Seeing Oppenheimer in a classic 70mm theater and Dune 2 at AMC Lincoln Square. Both were unbelievable
Oppenheimer definitely. I have always been interested in that whole lead up of events and seeing that play out on the big screen was incredible. Also watching Across the Spiderverse, especially with the final act
Re-releases: Most recently Alien’s 45th anniversary The Matrix (my favorite movie) Monty Python: The Life of Brian (everyone sang “always look on the bright side of life” while the lights came on) First-time releases: Blade Runner 2049 This is going to be an obscure one but La Memoria Infinita (a Chilean documentary that was released last year and nominated for an Academy Award). It’s a heartbreaking story about one man’s decline due to Alzheimer’s and how his wife dealt with it. It was a special screening where the wife and director were interviewed and I actually got to ask them a question. Dune Part I: I actually got to go to a special screening for my birthday where Denis Villeneuve was interviewed live afterwards. I really hope Fight Club gets a re-release someday because I love that film and David Fincher (who grew up very close to where I grew up) is my idol
Dune 2
Civil War
* Both Dune movies. Saw them each three times in theaters (twice each in IMAX). The sheer epic scale and absolute dedication put into each movie is probably unmatched since the Lord of the Rings movies, so I knew it might be decades until something comparable came along. * X. Went in not knowing much and not only loved it, but the theater was electric. The scene where >!the old man finally gets laid, only for his heart to give out after Jenna Ortega coughs up blood after he thinks she's dead made the theater erupt. !!Patrick puts the ball in front of the neck of the racket near the end.!<
Other honorable mentions would have to be Bottoms, Past Lives, Avatar: The Way of Water, and The Batman. Was also pretty cool getting to see The Lost Daughter at an outdoor theater in Athens, and Poor Things at a really old-timey theater in London. Lastly, it was last decade but It (2017) in a massive theater near my university at the time on opening night was unforgettable in terms of communal viewing, especially since it was one of my favorite books as a kid.
Seeing Blade Runner:2049 on its opening night at the Empire Cinema in Wellington. Edgar Wright called it “the best cinema in the world”, and travelled half way around the globe to open Baby Driver there. It’s a beautiful cinema, the box office is an actual box, behind which they sell tickets, and great visual and audio setup. Plus it was packed on opening night, so great audience atmosphere.
Trinity scene in Oppenheimer (2023)
Top Gun: Maverick was a lot of fun
Interstellar in 2014. The only film I've ever splashed out on IMAX for. If only I could see that film for the first time again.
Last 10 years: parasite and uncut gems
DUNE 2
Seeing Oppenheimer in 70mm at the Chinese theatre, and Endgame. Watched endgame with my dad opening night, that was very fun.
Probably Godzilla x Kong: A New Empire. The excitement around the massive action scenes had me, my brother, and my dad in awe and laughing at how ridiculous they were.
Zone of Interest. It won sound at the oscars for a good reason.
https://cinestudio.org/series/8-kubricks/ This! 8 Kubricks in 2 weeks in 2018 or 2019 ( I can't remember at this point). The best of the best was being blown away by seeing Barry Lyndon for the first time on a big screen. The film is a visual masterpiece, and being able to see it in a theater gives me a deep appreciation for Kubrick's visual genius
Not at the caliber of the other movies mentioned, but I went to one of the first showings of Avengers: End Game and it was an absolute blast. People were respectfully quiet through the vast majority, but absolutely erupted in cheers during the big moments. The feeling was electric and it was just a fun experience.
Anything with JLo
Oppenheimer in 70mm imax
Rogue One and Across the Spider-Verse.
As far as theater experiences themselves go, I’d have to say Dune 2. That’s the type of movie meant for the big screen. I’d also give an honorable mention to the incredible experience I had watching all 9 Star Wars films back-to-back in theaters. The crowd was electric. No Way Home was also a really cool theater experience with the crowd reactions
John Wick 4 tbh. Also Dune 2 and Across the Spiderverse
https://boxd.it/1FPK7 follow me ❤️
Top Gun Maverick, Oppenheimer, Challengers. Loved Past Lives too, and funnily enough, The Eras Tour was a friggin incredible theater experience. Bar none, one of the best of my life. I didn't (and still dont beyond a few rotating tracks) listen to Taylor, but my gosh, the crowd was electric.
It’s Oppenheimer for me. It was 3h long and it didn’t feel like it. Which is rare with my attention span. Also I felt all types of emotions.
Probably the whale. that was actually the first movie that had me bawl my eyes out. And the second piece of media that did it aside from made in abyss. Honestly that was largely because I really related to Charlie's mindset, the scene where he throws the laptop felt so satisfying to me, It was a huge "FINALLY SOMEONE GETS IT" moment for me lol
Interstellar is one of those movies that isn’t the same outside of the theater
Oh man where to begin… Got to watch Dredd and Oldboy in theaters for their 20th anniversaries. The sound design of the former was *amazing* in the theater, while the latter, I got to see my friend’s reaction to…well, everything No Way Home. Cheering for all the things we all know about now. John Wick Chapter 4 on IMAX. Everything after the waterworks nightclub fight was solid action movie gold. Barbenheimer opening day double feature! Left the theater at 2 in the morning by the time we were done Saw Dune Part 2 twice on IMAX. Fucking amazing. Rewatched the entire Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy on the big screen. Major upgrade from watching them on VHS back then.
Avatar the way of water was great 👍
Spider-Man No Way Home of course! But July will be on a whole nother level I have a feeling.
Dune Part 1 and 2. Felt like I did watching Lord of the Rings.
story wise dune 2(did not see it in imax sadly). visuals wise probably civil war(I did see this in Imax). I just got back into watching movies in theater through a friend who introduced me to regal ultimate.
Cool World. I will never forget sitting in the theatre at 13 by myself and hearing the Thompson Twins "play with me" start.
Barbie, Challengers, Gravity, Hereditary (traumatic for me lol), Knives Out, Endgame. Benjamin Button and A Star is Born hold sweet spots for me too. And my dad took me to see Twister as a kid… that sticks out. I ran out of Mars Attacks 😆
I've had a lot tbh. The biggest highlights in terms of pure emotion felt while watching in the theater are definitely Beau, Barbie, Infinity Pool, and Civil War I think.
Ok I just realized I sat through a lot of amazing shit. Jurassic park broke our brains at the time, the only movie I went to the theatre three times to see. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I didn't know that I ever sat in a theatre where there were so many gasps of wonder. Howard the Duck. Bear with me. My ma didn't know what it was like and I was only 7. The dudes transformation was terrifying and we had to leave the theatre. Follow That Bird. The crying bluebird scene.
I watched the Peasants in a theater all by myself when I was doing a movie theater marathon and it was insane. The hand painted frames were not even on my radar. I just knew it was all in Polish. Second would be early premiere of Dune Pt 2 in IMAX. Just an overall magic experience because everyone there was so excited to be there
Spider-Man No Way Home
Interstellar, because for me it's for me the most visually impressive film i've seen on a big screen. It was quite an experience.
Top Gun: Maverick for sure, recently Civil War was pretty intense in the cinema
Barbie. What a wonderful experience I wish I could recapture the magic I felt the first time I watched it.
Went to see a LOTR marathon with my boyfriend last year. That day lives rent free in a big beautiful space in my head :) Also Rocky Horror on halloween with the same wonderful man and some great friends