You’d think it’s a no brainer that babies don’t belong in movie theaters.
But raise your hand if you’ve never heard a baby’s yelp at your local theater.
Since common sense isn’t stopping some parents from bringing their babies along with them, maybe it’s time the folks who run the biggest movie theater chains stepped in.
Should chains instigate a “no babies” policy?
Seems easy to enforce — it’s not like a parent can whip out a fake ID and say, “oh, no, lil’ Johnny is actually 8. Here, look at his license.”
Theaters could assuage those who insist on bringing junior along by instigating family friendly viewings. Some theaters already do this — setting aside PG-rated fare and allowing parents to bring all the kiddies along to special screenings.
So how about it, AMC, Carmike and other cinema chains? Can we all agree that babies don’t belong in movie theaters?
The policy wouldn’t fix all the problems associated with modern movie going, but it would be great PR and a step in the right direction.
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Another alternative is to do like a lot of churches do – have a “cry room” – a room with a large picture window at the back with the audio piped in. At least in the churches I’ve been in that have them, the parents welcome the chance to attend the service without disturbing other worshipers.
UVA – it’s a good idea … might cost some coin up front, but the marketing possibilities are strong and audiences would greatly appreciate it.
Baby fee. Charge more at the door. Movies theaters won’t be saying that babies aren’t welcome but perhaps make parents spite the theater for the extra cost and not go in. No offense to the ‘rents of the world. I like babies. But I’m more inclined to stay home than pay the ridiculous price for a ticket now. The movie theater experience isn’t much no matter what/who is disturbing you. And what is the deal with parents bringing 3-10 year olds to a hard ‘R’ movie?
I once saw a toddler run right up to the screen in the middle of ‘Eight Millimeter’. And I thought – ‘what, wasn’t Caligula playing?’
Unless you’re willing to reimburse me for the ticket price and the $5 box of Sweet-Tarts (I love Sweet-Tarts by the way) then leave the rug rat at home.
Yeah, the whole ‘take your baby to a hard-R rated movie brings bad parenting to a whole new level. Pray for those poor kiddies
Can we expand that to airlines, restaurants, museums, hotels … uh, pretty much everything in general
I’m upfront here, I hate children and babies … that’s just me.
Chase – you and I have much in common.
And AkJ, I think that’s brilliant! Charge parents more for bringing in the babies – wait, let’s make every kid under 10, $15. And any kid between the ages of 11 and 19, $20.
Let’s also make anyone over 65, $20. While at “Defiance” we had an elderly couple next to us. Apparently, the husband was in denial about going deaf and had not yet purchased a hearing aid. He had to ask his wife “What did he say?” about fifty times during the movie. And “what he said” was never even worth knowing because the movie had some of the worst dialogue ever – and we had to hear it twice.
Deaf Denial Syndrome … sad, but it does make movie watching a chore.
That guy did you a service, though … “Defiance’s” script was just as bad as you said.
I don’t think that theatres should ban children. I think it depends on the children and the parents. I used to bring my children to Rated R movies all the time. They never acted up and actually I don’t think they even watched the film. They would end up falling asleep before anything ever happened. If they had acted up or cried, I would have taken them outside. I never took them to anything that was sexually explicit it was mainly Alien movies, or comedy. Other than disturbing other movie goers, it is no one’s business whether I take my child to a Rated R movie. The rating system is not enforced legally. The rating system is suggested but it is up to businesses to enforce the policy, and they don’t legally have to.
Saw a movie tonight…and someone carted a very small baby into the next theater. Someone waiting said “the volume in there can’t be good for that kid.” and someone else said “it’s not about the kid.” THIS.
You’re exposing your 4 mo old to those noise levels. Excellent parenting.
And don’t get me started on the Dad with his 6 and 8 yr old boys soaking up images from The Watchmen. I don’t want to sit next to your baby in the theater. But I really don’t want to know those kids as adults after they’ve been numbed to this crap since childhood.
Who are you people and do you ever ever think about what who your kids are and what they need??