I love movie night as much as the next person, especially movie date nights. Curling up on the couch together with your favorite take-out, snacks and a good movie can be a relaxing date night! They always say that your first date should never be to a movie. Because it doesn’t provide the best environment for getting to know each other. But who doesn’t love a good movie date night
Because of the limited opportunity for deep connection, it makes sense to me to say that even after you’re married, you should avoid making every date night a movie night. That being said, when you do choose to watch a movie together or pick that for your date night activity, I have a few ideas for how you can make those dates benefit your marriage relationship a little bit more.
Related: Movies You’ll Both Love Watching for Date Night
No matter where you’re watching your movie, making something together before the show can be a lot of fun! Maybe you have a favorite popcorn recipe or maybe you prefer a sweet and salty snack mix, a frozen treat, nachos, etc. Don’t just swing by the store and pick something up that’s already made and conveniently packaged. Plan for extra time before you start your movie. Then put your snack together while you enjoy a little quality conversation and bonding time.
Related: 3 Gourmet Paper Bag Popcorns
If you always curl up in your bed together to watch Netflix, sit on the couch to watch your movie instead. You may choose to watch your movie at a different theater than normal or try the drive-in. For some fun at home, bring your mattress out in front of the TV. Enjoy your show together and then have a little sleepover in that same room. It could be fun to blow up an air mattress and take your laptop to the backyard to watch your show after it gets dark. You could also pile a bunch of pillows and blankets into the back of a truck. Then find a secluded place in the mountains or a nearby field to watch the movie!
Related: Drive-in Movie Date Night at Home
This could mean watching a movie that you’ve both seen and know that you love. But it could also mean watching each other’s favorite movies. I had never seen Joe’s favorite movie until a few years into our marriage. I still remember the night that we finally stopped saying, “We should watch it sometime” and actually pulled it out and watched it. He pointed out all of his favorite parts and has loved being able to reference them since and have me know what he is talking about. We also have a couple of favorite shows that we watch together as a couple. We’ve seen them all at least twice and love pointing out things that we’d never noticed before. Or being able to talk during the movie without feeling like we’re missing anything.
For more date night ideas like these ones, check out the book, Prioritizing Date Night in Your Marriage, with 300+ date night ideas.
This idea came to me when one of my Facebook memories was a video of my friends and me singing along to the karaoke videos that are part of the special features on The Wedding Singer. You probably can’t do this if you get your movie from Redbox or are in a theater. But there are plenty of other opportunities to pull out the special features. After you’ve finished the show, see what that extra disc has to offer. Some might have karaoke videos you can have fun with or games you can play. All movies will most likely have deleted scenes that you can watch. Then discuss whether or not you think they should have been included or if it was good that they were cut.
Make your date night about more than the movie! Get take out and have a picnic at a local park, in your backyard, or on the floor of your living room before you start the show. After the show is over, go out for ice cream or to one of your favorite restaurants just to eat dessert. This will give you a chance to talk and connect in addition to enjoying the movie together.
Movie night doesn’t have to feel like a cop-out for date night. Make your movie date night just a little more intentional and ideal for connecting. You’ll get to enjoy cuddling and relaxing together. And you’ll be strengthening your connection as a couple at the same time.
