My favorite activity is watching a great movie. I've always felt that way; as a kid, I'd hide Blockbuster rentals under the couch once their return date neared.
If you're shopping for a movie lover, there's something crucial to remember: their dearest pastime is watching movies, which can also involve learning more about filmmaking or even trying their hand at screenwriting themselves. If you get them a gift that enhances their movie-watching experience — even if it's new light bulbs they can dim on their phone — or something that pays homage to their hobby, they're probably going to love it.
Below, you'll find a few gifts for the movie buff in your life, from a massive jigsaw puzzle to a projector.
The 17 best gifts for the movie lover in your life:
Sure, they've probably seen some of these movies, but have they seen them all? A scratch-off poster with a few of the classics isn't just a fun motivator; it settles those endless "what should we watch" discussions if you live together.
Bring the cinema experience home with a nice projector. This is a good performance-for-price option that won't cost you over $1,000; it boasts bright images and good color contrast.
Note: Your giftee may also want a projector screen, but you'd probably want their input on size and style before gifting that.
There's no reason to forgo a cinematic movie-viewing experience. This can-sized mini projector is there to elevate movie nights wherever you go. Find a full review of the Anker Nebula here.
Lighting is the achilles heel of a movie-watching experience — too bright and the mood is as off the colors on the screen. Gift them perfect movie lighting every single time: these smart bulbs come in a range of colors and can be controlled with Alexa, Google Assistant, the Philips Hue app, or the smart dimmer that comes with the bulbs. As a bonus, they can even be synced up to match the audio of the movie.
Binging With Babish: 100 Recipes Recreated from Your Favorite Movies and TV Shows
If your cinephile also loves cooking, this blends both hobbies together as beautifully as the best pasta sauce. In this book, Andrew Rea, an internet-famous cook and movie fan, shares recipes based on a popular TV show or film, like the beef bourguignon from "Julie & Julia" and Bubba's shrimp from "Forrest Gump."
Stoke a movie buff's nostalgia for bright, celebratory movie marquees with a personalized print. Pay homage to their favorite movie (good on you for knowing it!), and get it framed for an extra $40.
There are also a few interesting lectures by compelling college professors at OneDayU if you're looking for something more affordable. We specifically recommend the film talks by Yale professor Marc Lapadula.
A streaming service so they can binge their movies of choice
If they're a deeply invested cinephile, the Criterion Collection comes with spotlighted series on directors, stars, genres, and themes — plus a 15-minute-a-month film school and guest curators such as Guillermo del Toro and Mira Nair. They'll find classics and lesser-known flicks from across the globe.
For some people, dinner trays are a nightmare commonly associated with wearing a house dress and curlers. But for others, it's an indulgent and thoughtful dream-come-true. Whether they're watching movies in bed or eating on the couch, it's nice to have a convenient place to hold the popcorn and snacks.
Perfect for any movie night, this popcorn maker is lightweight, quick, and reusable. All they have to do is dump some popcorn kernels into this container, set it in the microwave, and in four minutes, they can have as much as 15 cups of popcorn.
If they love the moviegoing experience, give them more of it — whether it's their local AMC or a small independent spot where every staffer is also a movie buff.
A new favorite mug with a clever "New Yorker" cartoon
Whether it's "Jaws," "Casablanca," or "Ratatouille," there are plenty of cool posters you can have framed so they can put their passion on full display.
A coffee table book by a famous director, or in homage to one
This cute coffee table book pays homage to the world as seen through the lens of Wes Anderson, with beautiful photographs of places that look like scenes from his films.
Upgrade their movie-watching experience with a weighted blanket that feels like a hug for the duration of the movie. We often recommend Brooklinen's bedding because of the combination of price, performance, and quality. This blanket is made of breathable cotton filled with little glass beads.
A book where directors discuss the movies that changed their lives
Would your movie buff enjoy popular directors examining classic movies that inspired them to lead the lives they've led? In this book, your giftee will learn tidbits about directors that range from Richard Linklater to John Woo.
