“Hey, did you watch that new movie last night?”

If one of your friends hasn’t asked you this question over the past few months, you must have been living under a rock! These days, everyone is crazy about streaming movies (and shows) from their homes. It’s become somewhat of a comfort blanket for people, as well as a constant source of entertainment. After all, what could be better than chilling at home, covered in a huge blanket, watching the latest comedy or action thriller? Honestly, there’s no other feeling like it.

However, watching movies at home has become a little more complicated over the past 10 years. Previously, all you had to do was buy a DVD (for anyone reading this under the age of 18, you probably won’t know what that is!), pop it in your DVD player, sit back, and relax. But times have changed. Now, there are seemingly millions of different streaming services out there; along with millions of new movie releases – it can all be very, very confusing.

So, if you’re a movie buff who wants some tips and trips for watching movies at home, you’re in good hands. Let’s begin!

1. Choose the best movies

When you’re watching a movie at home, time is precious – which means you can’t afford to accidentally get stuck watching a terrible movie. The solution is simple: only choose the best movies.

Fortunately, this isn’t as difficult as it sounds. For example, you can play it safe by watching some classics, like Star Wars movies. C’mon now, who doesn’t love Star Wars? For over 40 years, the Star Wars franchise has produced hit after hit, with one of the best from recent times being the Han Solo spin-off. To learn more about it, click here.

However, there are obviously movies out there that are just as good – if not better than – Star Wars movies. For example, here’s a list of some of the best movies from 2021 so far – you’ll be sure to love it.

2. Use free trials provided by streaming services

Next up is a handy little trick that will be much appreciated by people looking to save money. Yep – you guessed it – the trick is to use free trials.

That’s right, nearly every movie streaming service these days offers free trials for new customers. This means that, for upwards of 3-6 months, you can watch movies for free at no cost.

Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+ are two of the best options available when it comes to free trials. Unfortunately, Netflix and Disney+ have now stopped offering free trials (somebody, quick, pass the tissue box). Here’s to hoping in the future they’ll start to offer free trials again.

Until then, you’ll have to rely on the movie streaming services that do provide free trials.

3. Create your own setup

Watching movies at home is automatically made more fun when you have a setup.

FYI, a couch isn’t a movie setup!

Your at-home movie setup should consist of various factors, including:

  • Interchangeable lighting (smart bulbs are a great option, as you can use your smartphone to change the color of them to suit the movie you’re watching)
  • A comfortable (and big) blanket
  • A refrigerator or drinks cooler within reaching distance
  • Surround sound speakers
  • A 1080p+ TV monitor

Once you’ve created your dream setup, it will take your viewing experience to a whole new level.

4. Invite friends to join you

Let’s be honest, watching movies alone can get a little boring after a while. That’s why it’s a good idea to invite your friends over to join you for the occasional movie night. You can all snuggle up together and get lost in the story – plus, you can take some awesome selfies for social media while you’re at it.

5. Change the audio and brightness settings to enhance your experience

TVs and the streaming services themselves usually come with audio and brightness settings that you can alter to your personal preference. For example, if you’re someone who likes to see every minor detail on the screen, then you should maximize the brightness. On the other hand, you might be someone who prefers a softly lit screen and lower volume levels, to not experience sensory overload. Whatever your preferences are, make sure to dive into the settings and alter them.

6. Stock up on your favorite drinks and snacks

Watching movies at home isn’t the same without drinks and snacks. In fact, it’s a crime!

The next time you know you’re going to watch a movie at home, remind yourself to stock up on your favorite drinks and snacks. This way, if the movie sucks, at least you’ll have another source of entertainment. Just try your best not to get crumbs or any spillages on your blankets.

7. Take breaks to research the plot online

Sometimes, movie plots can be a little confusing and overwhelming, which then subsequently ruins the experience for you.

However, rather than sitting there confused out of your mind, all you need to do is pause the movie, grab your smartphone, and research the plot online. Hopefully, this should bring some clarity and allow you to watch the movie with a better understanding of what’s going on.

8.  Always check fan reviews first

Fan reviews are a goldmine when it comes to choosing which movie to watch. In the old days, people would have to rely on overly biased critical opinions – but thankfully this is no longer an issue. Websites such as Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic allow fans to write and upload their reviews of movies and let everybody know what they think. This is great, as it allows you to get a feel of what the public opinion surrounding a particular movie is. In the long run, reading fan reviews can potentially save you a ton of time, as you’ll know which movies to avoid and which ones to watch. 

9. If you’re feeling super bored, go on an all-day movie marathon

Rather than just watching a single movie, sometimes it’s fun to let loose and go on an all-day movie marathon. All you need to do is plan which movies you’re going to watch in order and hit play. Plus, if one of the movies is uninteresting, you can immediately end it and move on to the next one.

10. Make sure you have a strong internet connection

If you’re streaming movies, a strong internet connection is key. Without it, your experience is going to be ruined by constant lagging and frame skips.

So, if you frequently encounter internet and WiFi connection problems, check out these tips. They should (hopefully) help to solve your situation.

11. Write down your thoughts and opinions

Have you always thought of yourself as a movie connoisseur? If the answer is yes, how about you take up the hobby of posting your movie reviews online?

Don’t worry, it’s not difficult. All you need to do is write (or type) down your thoughts and opinions whilst watching the movie. Then, when it finishes, you can use your notes as the basis for your online review and star rating.

Last thought

Remember to put these tips and tricks into action to have the best experience possible. Happy movie watching!