movie theater

Meaning

A movie theater (mainly American English) is a building where people pay to watch films on a large screen. It typically sells snacks like popcorn and soda. In British English, this is usually called a 'cinema'.

Examples

• Let's meet outside the movie theater at seven o'clock.

  Let's meet outside the movie theater at seven o'clock.

• The popcorn at this movie theater is always delicious.

  The popcorn at this movie theater is always delicious.

• They are showing the new action film at the local movie theater.

  They are showing the new action film at the local movie theater.

• The movie theater was completely empty on Monday afternoon.

  The movie theater was completely empty on Monday afternoon.

• We sat in the very back row of the movie theater.

  We sat in the very back row of the movie theater.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We watched a film in the theater yesterday.

  ✓ We watched a movie in the movie theater yesterday.

  In English, 'theater' (without 'movie') usually refers to a place for live stage plays, musicals, or drama. For films, use 'movie theater' or 'cinema'.

• ✗ I want to go to the movies theater.

  ✓ I want to go to the movie theater.

  The first noun in the compound 'movie theater' should be singular ('movie'), not plural ('movies'). Alternatively, you can say 'go to the movies'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I love buying warm popcorn at the ___.

  💡 A place with a giant screen for watching films.

  Show answer

  movie theater

• Which ___ is showing the new superhero film?

  💡 The building where you go to watch movies.

  Show answer

  movie theater