How to Make a Movie Date Night Special

Co-authored by John Keegan and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: March 17, 2022

If you want to ask your partner over to your place for a romantic movie date, how can you make it stand out and feel different than the average night in? Even if you aren’t going out to the theaters, you can make a movie date at home special and memorable. Keep reading for advice on how to make a movie night one that your date won’t forget!

1

Pick a fun movie beforehand.

You’ll save time browsing and surprise your date. You don’t want to waste all your time together looking for something to watch, so look for a movie that you think your date would like to see. You can always ask your date what kind of movies they like beforehand so you can find something you’ll both have fun watching.^{[1]
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- Action and horror movies are great if you want your date to cuddle up closer to you when it gets tense.
- If you’re looking for a lighter, romantic movie, a rom-com is a good pick for some laughs.
- If you have time to watch multiple films, you can even plan a marathon of your favorite series or movies you loved when you were growing up.

2

Send a unique invitation.

Your partner will be surprised by such a special invite. If you just ask your date if they want to hang out, they’ll think it’s just a casual hangout. You can just send a creative text inviting them over and use fun language based on the movie you’re watching. If you want to be extra cute, print out an invite or send a digital evite. They’ll get excited that you’re putting more effort into the date.
- “Who will have the one ring to rule them all? I’ve got a fun Lord of the Rings night planned for us to find out!”
- “Want to come over and watch the newest horror movie? We’re going to have a SCARY good time!”
- “Would you like to watch The Notebook this weekend? I’ve already got some comfort food and tissues ready for us.”

3

Set up movie-themed decorations.

Themed decor makes your place feel like a romantic getaway. You can choose decor to make it seem like your place is a movie theater, or base your decorations on the movie you’re watching. Pick up a few decorations from a party supply store and put them up to transform your home into a fun date spot.^{[2]
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- If you want to go for a classic theater look, try putting up a small marquee sign, print out small movie posters, and get some classic party popcorn containers.
- If you’re watching a horror movie, you could put up fake cobwebs, put out a black tablecloth, and have a couple of spooky masks out.
- If the movie takes place in Paris, you might look for decorations with the Eiffel Tower.

4

Bring out extra pillows and blankets.

Make your space extra cozy so you can cuddle up together. You want your date to feel really relaxed at your place, so put out all of your comfiest blankets and pillows. Make sure the blanket is big enough for both of you so you can get close and stay warm.^{[3]
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- You could even build a fort if you want to make a small romantic spot to watch your movies.

5

Plan a themed meal based on the movie.

A meal from the movie you’re watching ties the whole night together. You can plan a homemade meal or order in if you don’t feel like cooking. When you’re choosing your meal, pick food that appears in the movie or would be served where it takes place. Your date will be impressed that you thought ahead and chose something related to the movie.
- If you’re watching Ratatouille, you can try making some ratatouille of your own beforehand.
- Try having breakfast for dinner if you’re watching The Breakfast Club.
- If you put on Eat, Pray, Love, eat some pizza like they have in the movie.

6

Make fun flavored popcorn.

Spice up your basic popcorn with some sweet or spicy mix-ins. Popcorn is essential for every movie night, but you don’t need to just have the same old butter and salt toppings. Get creative and give your date a few different options to make the popcorn a little fancier. They’ll appreciate that you went a little out of the box and tried something new.^{[4]
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- Put in chili powder and a little ranch seasoning if you want buffalo-style spices.
- Drop in a few chocolate and butterscotch chips for a sweet and salty treat.
- Drizzle caramel over the popcorn for a classic sweet snack.

7

Put out classic concessions.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with some candies and drinks. Run to the store and pick up your favorite candies and snacks so your date has a few more options to eat during the movie. Look for treats you’d normally have at the theater, like boxes of chocolates, gummy candies, and chocolate-covered raisins. Don’t forget to pick up some sodas or other drinks for your date to choose from too.
- Try out a fun cocktail if you’re old enough to drink. If you’re watching a James Bond movie, you could enjoy some martinis. Shaken, not stirred.

8

Use a projector.

Playing the movie on a projector makes you feel like you’re at the theater. You can usually rent movie projectors from a library if you don’t have one. Point the projector at an empty wall or on the ceiling so you can see the movie on a bigger screen. All you have to do is plug the projector into whatever you’re using to watch the movie and press play.
- If it’s nice outside and you have the space, set the projector up on the side of your home and have a drive-in movie at home.

9

Set up speakers for surround sound.

Speakers help you both feel more immersed in the movie. If you already have a sound system hooked up, put the speakers around the room and turn up the volume. Even if you’re on a budget, a small Bluetooth speaker behind you is enough to make you feel like you’re in the movie.

10

Light candles during the movie.

Turn out the rest of the lights to set a romantic mood. Put your candles in a few places around your room so you don’t see their reflection on the screen while you’re watching the movie. The low light of the candles during your movie will make your date feel a lot more intimate.
- If you’re watching a horror movie, avoid using candles if you want it to be really dark and scary. Your date might cuddle even closer when they get scared.

11

Play a game while watching the movie.

Turn the movie into an interactive experience. You could play a game of bingo and mark off a square every time a specific thing happens in the movie. You could also look up trivia questions on the movie and ask your date about them. You can find a ton of games for specific movies online if you just search the title.
- Try out a drinking game if you’re of age. You might take a sip every time a character says a certain line.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you plan a movie date?

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

Expert Answer

Make it a fun experience! Instead of buying snacks at the theater, make adventure of smuggling snacks in with you. Also, try to pre-book your seats for the movie, so you don't have to worry about potentially sitting apart.
Question

How do I get intimate at the movies?

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

Expert Answer

See what your date is comfortable with! Some people like to hold hands and be affectionate throughout the movie, while others don't like people touching or bothering them during an intense film.