You’re cozied up beneath a thick blanket nestled in on the couch. You have a cup of hot chocolate in hand and microwavable popcorn within an arm’s reach. Why should you give this up to go out and watch a movie at the theater? 

The short answer? Watching a movie at home just doesn’t compare to watching one at the movie theater.

For one, microwavable popcorn is good, but little comes close to the salty, buttery popcorn at the movies. YouTube reviewer The Shopping Expert asked employees at Manhattan movie theaters about the secret to good popcorn. He left with Preferred Popcorn kernels, coconut oil and Flavacol, a fine seasoned salt, as the recipe for success. Of course, you can go out and buy the ingredients necessary for theater-worthy popcorn, but at that point, why not just go to the movies?

The immersive movie experience at the theater is also a plus. Watching a movie on your streaming platform of choice — on a computer or even a TV screen — doesn’t measure up to the big-screen experience at the movie theater. Surround sound and 3D glasses can also enhance the theater experience. I would recommend “Jurassic Park,” “Avatar,” “Moana” and “Frozen 2” in 3D.

And despite the seemingly endless advertisements before the movie begins, ads offer a chance to preview other releases that may pique your interest — unless you’re someone who avoids movie spoilers like the plague. The good news? If the numerous ads and movie trailers aren’t appealing, you can simply plan on arriving about 15 minutes after the start time. The in-theater experience is perfectly customizable! 

Additionally, going to the movies can be a fun outing with family and friends. The excitement of physically going to a different place to watch a movie, with good company, can be a pleasant change from the mundanity of the couch potato lifestyle. The theater setting creates a different atmosphere than at home with its popcorn aroma and larger-than-life screens. It’s also an opportunity to make memories together and enjoy pre or post-movie discussions. Who doesn’t love dissecting the villain’s tragic backstory or watching your dad explain the plot of the movie after your mom falls asleep mere minutes in?

While staying at home to watch a movie may appeal to the introvert in both you and me, going to the movie theater is an overall more enjoyable experience due to the immersive movie experience, social gathering and, of course, movie popcorn.