Bringing food into a movie theater

[bcla]

Just wondering what the policies are. It always seemed more like the rules I remember about Disneyland and bringing in food, until their most recent changes. Unofficially they didn't care as long as one didn't make a big show of it. If someone arrived with a big bucket of homemade popcorn I'm sure it would be stopped. But if it's discreet (something like candy in a pack) I'm thinking they don't really care.

Once I had something in my hand (might have coffee) as I entered and I asked if I could just finish it before my ticket was taken. The ticket taker said it was within their rules as long as I didn't bring it in the auditorium, and I could even sit at a table.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

Every movie theater I've ever been too has a strict no outside food or drink policy, obviously because they want you to spend the money there since concessions is where the bulk of their profit comes from. Doesn't mean people don't sneak in candy and drinks though.

 

[JaxDad]

Does alcohol count?

 

[lanejudy]

Our indoor theaters have "no outside food" rules, though I have been allowed to take a reusable waterbottle; then I buy popcorn and candy, and often a drink for DD. I don't think the drive-in has a rule about food other than no grills/cooking; we bring our popcorn and drinks then buy candy and/or ice cream.

 

[emily nicole]

Growing up we always brought our own snacks. There was a gas station right at the entrance to the theater. Mom would stop and stock up on drinks and candy to put in her big purse. Lol. We still bought popcorn though. Great memories of going to the movies. I can't be sure but I think she took me once a week or so.

As an adult, I can't stand going to the movies these days. People are constantly on their phones and the glow of a phone is distracting and takes me right out of the movie. Sad really. So, we just do movies at home.

 

[Moliphino]

We snuck our own food and drinks in all the time when I was a kid. My mom would even bring a whole popped bag of microwave popcorn in a big purse.

 

[VandVsmama]

I've smuggled in contraband food in my purse many times into movie theaters.

 

[Kittyblue]

Our movie theaters have a no outside food or drink policy. I usually buy popcorn and a drink at the theater, but if the kids want candy I usually bring it in my purse.

 

[BrianL]

It is not allowed here except for the drive-in where anything goes. I typically don't, though I might bring a few mints or hard-candies in my pocket, mostly because I don't usually want to get a soda because then I inevetibly have to use the restroom during the movie. I will sometime indulge in popcorn, but usually I just don't have anything and I am fine with that.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I've seen people bring bags of fast food into our local theaters and no one seems to care. I've brought food in, but I keep it in my purse until the lights go down. I'm not taking sales away from them because there is literally nothing there that I will eat. I won't buy food regardless of whether or not I bring my own. I've taken baggies of pretzels, grapes or sliced apples before. If DH and the kids are getting snacks, I'll sometimes have them get me a small drink.

 

[elgerber]

I haven't ever been to a theater without a no outside food policy.
That said, I do bring a can of coke in my purse. But I buy a large popcorn, and sodas for my adult kids when they are with me. I don't care for the taste of their soda fountain drinks.
The weirdest thing I ever saw was when the teenage girls behind us took out an entire pumpkin pie. I have no idea how they ate it, we ended up switching to a different auditorium showign the same film because there were less kids in it LOL.

 

[Meriweather]

We've taken lunch is and snacks.
Buy soda and popcorn
No signs here, there were where we lived before, but they didn't care. Took snacks in there too.

 

[pigletliz]

One of the large chains near us allows you to bring in coffee and water only. I asked before I purchased it. The other theater said as long as I didn't wave it around, I would be good. They had Starbucks pre-covid. Now they staff the alcohol/wine counter, along with usual concessions. I buy the popcorn because movie popcorn is the best.

 

[Kitty 34]

I never snuck food in but I really think back in those days very few workers would have gone through my purse or frisked me for contraband goodies.

 

[Nick6300]

As a former movie theater usher, I've seen everything from beer/booze bottles brought in to microwave popcorn/fast food. We used to be forced by managers to ask that they open their bags if it's a back pack and not a purse, or can see outside goods.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

It’s been 2 decades since I worked at a theater and I know each chain has their own rules, but our rules were anything we sold there, you could bring in on your own. The two biggest restrictions were no hot food & no glass.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Just wondering what the policies are.

If you're truly wondering you'd look up the rules for the movie theater company you're wanting to go to.

If you're asking whether people here have done it before, whether they think it's a big deal or not, totally different question.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

My dad used to have us go to the gas station beforehand and get snacks. I hated it then, don't want to do it now.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I follow this person's policy (since I only go to the "three big chains" she mentioned)...bottled water only, and my kids eat the theater popcorn b/c that's 1/2 the experience for them...



"Soren Aso
, former Industry Relations
Answered 2 years ago
Yes! Actually, bottled water is the only beverage a guest can bring into a movie theater without ever being hassled over. At least this has been my experience and I have worked as a manager for three large cinema companies.
The main reason for this policy is the guest’s health. Depending on their dietary needs or any ailments a guest may have, water may be the only beverage they can drink and since all theaters have water fountains for free water, management is not supposed to prevent someone from bringing their own. Even if the theater sells bottled water, water is considered a necessity and no guest should be inconvenienced with having to keep getting up from their seat to either visit the water fountain or get a courtesy cup of it (courtesy cups are quite small). If they bring their own bottle, even an empty one that they'll fill at the fountain, that is perfectly up to them. This is especially important for guests that may have to take medication with water at a particular time. If they happen to be in a movie theater at that time of day, they should never be pressured to pay for water to take their medication.
Sometimes guests use water bottles to bring in other types of drinks (e.g. Gatorade, juice, flavored water, etc.) and although technically these can be questioned, for the most part, as long as alcohol is not suspected, guests are just politely reminded that for next time, only water is allowed."

 

[bcla]

If you're truly wondering you'd look up the rules for the movie theater company you're wanting to go to.

If you're asking whether people here have done it before, whether they think it's a big deal or not, totally different question.

I get what the policy is, but then again I've seen stuff that clearly isn't keeping with the policy. I was actually surprised when I was told that outside food was OK in the waiting area.

As for drive ins, the only one I've been to says that outside food is fine, and when I went for a potty break between movies (love those double features) the lines at concessions were still pretty long. The only other rule is no outside alcohol, and they will randomly check trunks to see if anyone sneaks in someone in a trunk without paying.