Rewriting the Movie Script for Neurodivergent Audiences
A trip to the movies is often a beloved weekend tradition, popcorn, previews, laughter in the dark. But for some autistic individuals or othes with sensory sensitivities, a traditional movie theater can feel overwhelming. The sudden darkness, loud sound effects, different smells, and sometimes confusing social norms can be a lot of sensory input and make regulation difficult, to say the least.
However, even with different sensory needs, there are options for accommodations to help make these social spaces more accessible for all, and benefits for making the effort!
Sensory-Friendly Movie Showing
Sensory-friendly showings are inclusive movie screenings tailored to individuals with autism and other sensory processing differences. These adaptations typically include:
Lights left dimmed (instead of fully off)
Lower sound volume
No previews or ads
A welcoming environment where audience members can move around, vocalize, or take breaks as needed
Programs like AMC’s Sensory Friendly Films, developed in collaboration with the Autism Society, make these events accessible across the country. Local community theaters and nonprofits are also stepping up to create inclusive movie-going experiences.
Behavioral Benefits of Sensory-Friendly Showings
Supports Sensory Regulation
Many of the individuals we support experience sensory sensitivities that can make traditional theaters overwhelming. By dimming the lights and lowering the volume, these showings reduce overstimulation and create an environment where individuals can regulate their responses more comfortably. They are free to engage in self-soothing behaviors like stimming, using fidgets, or wearing noise-canceling headphones. Most importantly, they are able to do these things without the added stress of judgment of others who may not understand.
Promotes Generalization of Skills
Attending a movie theater provides a natural environment to practice and generalize important life skills like waiting, transitioning, making choices, and tolerating unpredictable social situations. These are hard to replicate in clinic or home settings, but sensory-friendly theaters create a safe, real-world space for growth.
Fosters Inclusion and Belonging
At its core, this is about accessibility. Sensory-friendly showings allow autistic individuals and their families to enjoy the same community experiences as everyone else. It shifts the narrative from “we can’t go” to “this space is for us too.” As BCBAs, we know how powerful inclusive environments can be for building confidence, relationships, and joy.
Encourages Social Connection
These screenings are also an opportunity to build social skills in a natural and low-pressure way, whether it's sharing snacks with a sibling, reacting to the movie with peers, or practicing social referencing (like noticing others laughing or clapping). For many families, it’s also a bonding experience and a step toward greater independence for their loved ones.
What Does the Research Say?
Research supports the value of media and community-based interventions for autistic individuals. For example:
“The Transporters”, a series designed to improve emotion recognition, significantly enhanced social-emotional understanding in autistic children (Golan et al., 2010).
fMRI studies show that movie-watching activates brain regions associated with theory of mind and social cognition in both neurotypical and autistic individuals, suggesting movies may be an effective tool for engagement (Hasson et al., 2020).
Inclusive events like those hosted by the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development not only benefit the individual but strengthen family engagement and reduce caregiver stress (Duke Psychiatry, 2023).
Tips for Families and BCBAs
If you’re considering attending a sensory-friendly showing or supporting a client who is:
Preview the experience with a social story or visual schedule.
Take a short trip to the theater before the event, if you can, incorporate photos from the theater you will be attending to your social story or visual schedule.
Bring tools: headphones, preferred snacks, fidgets, or a comfort item.
Not everyone loves movie theater popcorn, and that’s ok! Set yourself up for success by making sure to bring preferred snacks and comfort items.
Practice beforehand: Try a short home movie night or virtual theater event to build familiarity.
Turn down the lights, rearrange the living room, and do your best to role play the experience to build familiarity with the routine.
Debrief afterward: What went well? What could help next time? Celebrate the wins!
Should you opt for seats in the very front with space to run? Or maybe further away from the screen would be more comfortable. Don’t be discuouraged if the first attempt isn’t an all around success.
BCBAs can also help by coaching caregivers, offering behavioral supports for the outing, or collaborating with local theaters to advocate for more accessible events.
Sensory-friendly movie showings do more than make films accessible, they invite families and autistic individuals into spaces they may have felt excluded from. These small adaptations send a powerful message: everyone deserves joy, inclusion, and popcorn… or milkduds, or both?
Let’s keep supporting, and advocating for, community spaces that celebrate neurodiversity.
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AMC Theaters & Sensory Friendly Films
My Way Matinee - Sensory Friendly Movies
Autism Society Inland Empire - Sensory Friendly Movies
Golan O, Ashwin E, Granader Y, McClintock S, Day K, Leggett V, Baron-Cohen S. Enhancing emotion recognition in children with autism spectrum conditions: an intervention using animated vehicles with real emotional faces. J Autism Dev Disord. 2010 Mar;40(3):269-79. doi: 10.1007/s10803-009-0862-9. Epub 2009 Sep 11. PMID: 19763807.
Lyons KM, Stevenson RA, Owen AM, Stojanoski B. Examining the relationship between measures of autistic traits and neural synchrony during movies in children with and without autism. Neuroimage Clin. 2020;28:102477. doi: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102477. Epub 2020 Oct 27. PMID: 33395970; PMCID: PMC7680702.
Watson, S. G. & E. (2024, November 8). Community Partnership creates an inclusive experience for autistic moviegoers. Duke Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. https://psychiatry.duke.edu/news/community-partnership-creates-inclusive-experience-autistic-moviegoers
