I recently went out to town with my family to have dinner and see a movie in theaters. Although it was fun to have some good food and see a movie on the big screen with movie theater popcorn (and butter), I couldn’t help but think how easy it is to recreate a similar experience at home, and at a fraction of the cost and probably a bit healthier. Here are some tips to have dinner and a movie at your own home!

Recreate your go-to comfort meal at home: I have recently been on a kick of recreating my Chick-Fil-A order of a Spicy Chicken Sandwich Deluxe but making it vegan. (Okay, I am not technically vegan but like to put myself up for a challenge). I also enjoy making homemade personal pizzas as well!

Getting popping and snacking: I always want to have multiple options of snacks when watching a movie. Let’s be real, if I got all that I truly wanted at the theater, I’d be broke. Instead, make some popcorn at home, melt some butter, and have your favorite snacks all ready for way less!  Having snacks at home allows me to choose healthier options as well.

Endless options for movies: There are so many options of movies to pick with streaming nowadays. Even if you don’t have streaming, YouTube has free movies you can choose from (with ads or “refill/bathroom breaks”). The library is another great option for free media if you have a DVD player.

Cozy space: Now, movie theaters near me have recliners. While they are comfy, nothing beats being in your favorite chair or cuddled up on the sofa at home.

It may not be easy for everyone to travel to multiple spots for a fun evening. It can be tiring and challenging to navigate things like parking, bathrooms, going up and down stairs in the cinema, etc. This allows a fun and more affordable way to spend time with your friends and family in a space that is comfortable and adaptable to you.