This post is all about movie night ideas for couples who want to level up their next movie date night.
Please note this post may contain affiliate links. If a purchase is made through these links, we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Movie nights are an absolute classic date night! Even just sitting down to watch a movie or a TV show in the evening has become a relationship ritual for most couples. However, after a while they can get a bit stale. So, if you’re looking to make your next movie date night extra special, check out this list of movie night ideas for couples!
These movie night ideas for couples will have you curating the perfect movie watching setting, adding in some excitement with movie challenges or putting a cute spin on your movie selection process. They’ll help you level up your movie date nights and turn them into memories you’ll never forget!
If you’re looking for more date ideas that won’t cost you an arm or a leg, check out this post, it’s filled with inexpensive date night gems.
11+ Of The Best Movie Night Ideas For Couples
1. Not Sure What Movie to Pick? Here’s an Idea For You
Do you have a list of movies that you want to watch but can never remember them when it comes down to picking a movie?
Have a date night where you and your partner create a jar of personalised movie tickets. Begin by selecting a printable movie ticket from Etsy, unleashing your creativity on Canva to design a unique template, or embracing the hands-on approach with pen and paper for a full D.I.Y. experience. Then go through and add the title of each movie you’d like to see to each ticket. Make sure to include suggestions from the both of you. Then fold each ticket up and add it to your jar. Then when it next comes to the dreaded decision of what to watch, you have a whole jar filled with ideas to randomly pick from.
You could even use the tickets as a cute way to invite your partner to the date. Leave a ticket on their pillow, put one on the seat of their car, as a note in their lunch or even snap a photo of the ticket and send it to them. Include a little sweet treat and a wee post it with a cute love note scrawled across is and something like: “You, me and a movie tonight?” and you have the perfect little date invite.
Or if you really do struggle to think of movies you want to watch…
Take the stress out of having to think of a movie by setting yourselves the task of completing a scratch off movie poster challenge. You’ll have a ready to go list of ideas of movies to watch on your date nights and you also have a record of the movies you have watched together. Plus it make for a really cute decorative item if you choose to hang it up.
Here’s a couple of examples to get you inspired:
Will you be able to scratch off all the movies on the list?
2. Get Cozier Than You Normally Would
Most couples (including us) will simply opt for putting on some slouchy clothing and curling up on the couch together to enjoy their movie nights. Don’t get me wrong, this is a lovely way to enjoy a chill movie night, but you’re here because you want to level up your next movie date night! So it’s time to get even cozier than you normally would. Here are a couple of ways in which you can do this:
Create your ultimate blanket fort:
Bring back some long lost construction skills from your childhood this date night by creating your ultimate blanket fort with your S.O. to enjoy your movie in. Raid your linen cupboard and fill your fort with your coziest blankets, duvets, pillows and cushions for you to snuggle in. Don’t forget to bring the romance by stringing up some fairy lights or by laying out some electric candles. Building a blanket fort is such a playful way to make your movie night more enchanting.
If it’s been a little minute since you last made a blanket fort and you’ve totally forgotten how to construct one, or if you’ve never had the chance to make one, check out this video to guide you:
Bring Your Bedroom Into Your living room
It’s time to make your ultimate couch nest!
If you have two of the same length couches, try pushing them together so that the cushion parts of them are both facing each other. Or, if you have a modular sofa, even better, rearrange all your couch sections till you have your ideal configuration. Then add in all you the items you need to make it the perfect couch nest possible.
Alternatively, if a couch nest isn’t your vibe, you can still have a lie down movie night. If you have an air mattress on hand, pump it up, push it against the couch and make a comfy lie down situation for yourself. Steal the duvet off your bed, a fluffy blanket or two, and don’t forget a mountain of pillows. It’ll be so cozy that you may risk falling asleep during your movie!
3. Shake Things Up With A Themed Movie Night
Themed movie nights are a lot of fun! If you haven’t done a themed movie night, you need to add this one to your date night list. Heads up, it might be one of those date nights that you pick a little in advance, because some prep may be required.
Doing a themed movie night date is really about adding that extra element to your movie watching experience. You can go as hard out or as chill with it as you please. Once you have picked your theme, it’s up to you how much you want to align to your theme. For example, if you really wanted to go all out, you could match your movie, drinks, snacks, outfits and even your environment to your theme.
Have a Battle of Film
If you want to add even more fun into the mix, or if you just want to focus on your movies for your themed movie night, have a movie battle.
Each partner picks a movie for the chosen theme. Then you settle in for a back-to-back viewing event. Once, you’ve watched both movies, it’s time to battle it out to see who picked the best movie for the theme. Think theme categories like worst movie of all time, best (movie franchise) movie, most compelling plot, most disappointing ending etc. You will have to watch each movie intently so that you can form a good argument as to why yours is a better pick than your partners. Get ready for some serious debate!
4. Take Your Movie Night Outdoors
Outdoor movie night at home
If you’re blessed with some fine weather next date night and are feeling guilty about being indoors and wanting to watch a movie, why not take your movie night outside? Set up your very own outdoor movie screening experience. Combine a portable projector with a blank wall, a portable screen or even just a plain white sheet, and voila, you have a cinematic experience under the stars!
Seating ideas for an outdoor movie night
Really up your game by making a cute seating layout to really enhance the outdoor movie night experience. You could go old school romantic and layout out the perfect little picnic to accompany your movie complete with a gorgeous picnic blanket, a foldable mini picnic table and a delectable charcuterie board to snack away at. Or, you could also go for the classic outdoor movie experience by setting up a bunch of individual outdoor beanbags or one giant outdoor cushion for you both to snuggle on.
Alternatively, if you are wanting to get creative you could inflate a paddling and fill it up with as many fluffy, warm and plush things you can find. Or if you own a trampoline, string up some fairy lights around the netting and generously layer the trampoline base with all things cozy.
Out and about outdoor movie night
Go to a drive in movie
Enjoy a movie from the comfort of your own car by taking your partner to a drive in movie night. Pull up with to your movie with a glove box full of snacks, cup holders already filled with drinks and then kick your seat back and enjoy your film. It’s great date idea if you’re wanting to get out of the house and enjoy a movie without actually being fully exposed to the elements.
Find a rooftop film night
During the summer months, be sure to add a rooftop movie date night to your agenda – if you’re after an super fun, elevated open-air cinema experience. Picture this: a grand screen, the sun setting in the backdrop, and a mesmerizing city skyline to complete the perfect panorama. Not only do you get to immerse yourself in the movie magic, but you can also indulge in luxurious seating, complemented by the option to treat yourself to delectable snacks and beverages.
If you’re in London, I would definitely recommend going to one of the showings at The Rooftop Film Club. They had super comfy seats that came with your very own blanket and a set of wireless headphones to listen to the movie through (this was a big perk because you could adjust the volume of the film as you pleased). As an added bonus, they offer bottomless popcorn 🍿😋
5. Play A Movie Game
Have you ever seen a movie so frequently that you practically have it memorized? It’s time to put you to the test. Revisit that familiar film with your partner and put yourself to the test. At any point during the film, they can pause it and when they do you have to complete the character’s line. To add an extra layer of excitement to this game, you can also increase the stakes. If you successfully complete the line you get to dare your partner to do something of your choosing, but if you get it wrong your partner gains the dare power!
Or if you’re looking for something a little bit more chill, try playing movie Bingo! There are plenty of Bingo boards out there to choose from, from really generic ones to ones specific to a movie and if all else fails you can make your own one. Then sit back, watch your movie and keep your eyes peeled for things to cross off on your board. Don’t forget to obnoxiously yell BINGO when you complete your board.
Alternatively, if you’re in the mood to get a bit tipsy together, try playing a movie drinking game. Find a premade list specific to your movie online or create your own, then get watching and get sipping.🥂
6. Bring a Movie Meal to Life
This movie night idea for couples is a real treat!
Ever found yourself captivated by the delectable dishes featured in movies, especially animated ones? Well now is your chance to bring those mouthwatering creations to life and savor them for real. Whether it’s Remi’s Ratatouille, Spongebob’s Krabby Patty, or the irresistible charm of Lady and The Tramp’s spaghetti and meatballs, this movie night idea is an ideal one for you. Invite your S.O. to join you in the kitchen and partake in the challenge of recreating your chosen movie meal, snack, or dessert, and then relish it alongside the characters while watching the film.
This date idea offers a delightful two-in-one experience – bonding over cooking or baking with your partner and enjoying a cozy movie night. So if, you’re looking for a date night with the extra bit of intimacy and connection, this movie night idea for couples if for you.
7. Take a Stroll Down Memory Lane
Ready to unlock some nostalgia? It’s time to go for a wander down memory lane with your partner this movie date night.
Take turns selecting films that hold sentimental value, allowing you both to relive the emotions and experiences of your younger selves. This movie night idea for couples can be a really intimate way to share in each others past and start understanding each others feelings and experiences. Don’t forget to share the stories and memories you have associated movie as this will really enhance the experience for both you and your partner and increase increase feelings of intimacy
Here are some ideas to help you get started:
- Your favourite childhood film
- The film that inspired you the most
- The scariest movie you’ve ever watched (if you’re feeling brave)
- The first film you watched together as a couple
- Your all time favourite film
- A film that had you bawling your eyes out
- Your all time favourite (pick a genre)
8. Get Crafty and Create a Movie Night Scrapbook
If you’re notorious for watching a lot of movies and then forgetting which ones you have and haven’t seen, this one’s for you. It’s time to start keeping track of all the films you and your S.O. have seen together with your very own movie night scrapbook. Each time you watch a movie together, fill out a page in your scrapbook. In no time it will be brimming with so many cute memories.
Other than the title of the movie and the date you watched it, you could include:
- A quick synopsis to remind yourselves what the movie was about
- A photo of you both watching the movie
- Favourite and least favourite parts of the movie
- A little blurb outlining what both of you thought of the movie
- What snacks you paired with the movie
- A rating – this could be a simple _/10 situation or you could have multiple categories of things you rate the movie on.
9. Be Movie Critics Together
If you and your partner have a passion for movies and film, you’re gonna love this movie night idea for couples! Put on your critic hats and go full Cinemasins on the next movie you watch together. Scrutinize the extras, unearth subtle editing errors, pick holes in the plot and flaws in the characters. It’ll add another layer to your film watching experience, you’ll pay closer attention than you ever have to a movie and you’ll be surprised by what you can pick up on. You might even be able to spot some sneaky foreshadowing that most people only notice the second time round watching the film.
Plus, once the movie is over, you get to enjoy a debrief where you share your observations with each other. This can lead to some very interesting conversations/debates with your partner. This movie night idea not only deepens your connection but also transforms a regular movie night into a captivating and intellectually stimulating event for both of you.
10. Opt for a Bit of Randomness Next Movie Night
For a bit of fun this next movie date night, I would definitely recommend doing the Walmart Date Night Challenge. Pop over to your local super market (doesn’t have to be a Walmart), pick your aisle and take turns selecting snacks like in the video below.
If you don’t want to buy a DVD, you can still randomly choose a movie to watch.
Before you go onto your favourite streaming service, each of you picks a number between 1 and 10. One number will represent how many lines of movies you’ll scroll down on the main page. The other number will be how many movies you scroll across in that line.
11. Have a D.I.Y. Movie Trivia Night
Skip the movie watching part of your movie night entirely and have your very own movie themed quiz night. Craft personalized quizzes to challenge one another’s cinematic expertise or join forces as quizmasters and create a quiz together. If you go for this option, you can then host a quiz night for your friends and test their knowledge.
Some fun category ideas to get you started:
- Movie titles translated back into English
- Finish the famous movie quote
- Guess the movie based on this small description
- Guess the movie this song is from
- Who dated who?
- How old is this actor/actress now?
- Pot luck – a series of general knowledge movie trivia questions
Now that you’re equipped with this list of movie night ideas for couples, say goodbye to boring movie nights. Make sure to save this post for future reference. That way you can have them ready next time your partner suggests a movie date night.
Want a challenge? Try complete every single one of the movie night ideas for couples on the list!
Which of these movie night ideas for couples can you not wait to try? Let us know in the comments.
